Lanolin is one of the most ubiquitous products on store shelves. It’s often marketed as “all-natural” or “organic,” leaving consumers to assume it’s harmless. Companies put it in lotions, hair conditioners, cleansing wipes, and even baby formula. As of 2018, the global lanolin market was worth an estimated $795 million. Why should vegans avoid lanolin if it’s in so many products people purchase and use daily? The answer lies in the horrible realities of factory farms and animal agriculture.
When looking at this thick, waxy emollient, one might never guess the toxicity that goes into its creation. Lanolin is derived from sheep’s wool. These innocent animals are sheared – in some cases without a caring touch or consideration. According to Healthline, the wool is then put into a centrifuge, separating the oil from the chemicals and debris on the sheep’s coat. This is a simplified version of the process because as Mamavation reports, sheep are sprayed with pesticides to ward off insects before being rid of their covering. The result is raw wool with traces of 48 known pesticides (in certain circumstances). Those chemicals may eventually find their way into beauty products and absorb into human skin, despite being touted as safe.
One of the most disturbing things about lanolin is its use in baby products. Vegan parents who adhere to strict dietary guidelines might object to discovering lanolin in seemingly harmless necessities like nipple creams or diaper balms. Even baby formulas advertised as “plant-based” contain the lanolin byproduct cholecalciferol. Parents are anesthetized into thinking that all-natural products with brightly colored logos or bucolic landscapes on the packaging are perfectly vetted for their little ones. Still, nothing could be further from the truth. Many adults have even gone public with the side effects of using lanolin in their personal regimens.
