Editing Lanolin (section)

== Applications ==
[[file:Lanolinezalf - detail.jpg|thumb|Lanolin ointment]]

Lanolin and its many derivatives are used extensively in both the personal care (e.g., high value cosmetics, facial cosmetics, lip products) and health care sectors such as topical liniments. Lanolin is also found in lubricants, rust-preventive coatings, shoe polish, and other commercial products.<ref name="Zirwas 2008">{{cite journal|pmid=21212847|pmc=3016930|year=2008|last1=Zirwas|first1=M. J.|title=Moisturizer allergy: Diagnosis and management|journal=Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology|volume=1|issue=4|pages=38–44|last2=Stechschulte|first2=S. A.}}</ref>

Lanolin is a relatively common allergen and is often misunderstood as a wool allergy. However, allergy to a lanolin-containing product is difficult to pinpoint and often other products containing lanolin may be fine for use. Patch testing can be done if a lanolin allergy is suspected.<ref name="Zirwas 2008"/>

It is frequently used in protective baby skin treatment and for sore nipples from breastfeeding<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lansinoh.com/products/hpa-lanolin |title=HPA® Lanolin Cream |website=lansinoh.com |access-date=1 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150404194921/https://www.lansinoh.com/products/hpa-lanolin |archive-date=4 April 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> but health authorities recommend alternative methods first, including nipple cleaning<ref>{{Cite web |last=Agence Nationale d'Accréditation et d'Évaluation en Santé (French Health Authority) |date=May 2022 |title=Allaitement maternel - Recommandations (Maternal breastfeeding - advice) |url=https://www.has-sante.fr/upload/docs/application/pdf/Allaitement_recos.pdf |access-date=May 24, 2023 |website=Haute Autorité de Santé}}</ref> and improving baby positioning as well as expressing milk by hand. Lanolin is reported to have soothing properties but the lack of research leads to the previous recommendations being primary.<ref>{{Cite web |last=National Health Service (UK) |title=Sore or cracked nipples when breastfeeding |date=7 December 2020 |url=https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/breastfeeding-and-bottle-feeding/breastfeeding-problems/sore-nipples/ |access-date=May 24, 2023}}</ref>

Lanolin is used commercially in many industrial products ranging from [[rust]]proof coatings to [[lubricant]]s. Some sailors use lanolin to create slippery surfaces on their [[propeller]]s and stern gear to which [[barnacles]] cannot adhere. Commercial products (e.g. Lanocote) containing up to 85% lanolin<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/pdfs/MSDS/LanoCote/b65f457msds.pdf |title=MSDS for Lanocote |website=www.forespar.com/products/boat-lubricant-lanocote.shtml |access-date=17 May 2018 |archive-date=18 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180518055823/http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/pdfs/MSDS/LanoCote/b65f457msds.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> are used to prevent corrosion in marine fasteners, especially when two different metals are in contact with each other and saltwater. The [[water-repellent]] properties make it valuable in many applications as a lubricant grease where [[corrosion]] would otherwise be a problem.

[[7-Dehydrocholesterol]] from lanolin is used as a raw material for producing [[cholecalciferol|vitamin D<sub>3</sub>]] by irradiation with ultraviolet light.<ref>{{Cite journal | pmid = 17634462| year = 2007| last1 = Holick| first1 = M. F| title = Vitamin D deficiency| journal = New England Journal of Medicine| volume = 357| issue = 3| pages = 266–81| doi = 10.1056/NEJMra070553| s2cid = 18566028}}</ref>

[[Baseball player]]s often use it to soften and break in their [[baseball glove]]s ([[shaving cream]] with lanolin is popularly used for this).

Anhydrous liquid lanolin, combined with [[paraben]]s, has been used in trials as [[artificial tears]] to treat [[keratoconjunctivitis sicca|dry eye]].<ref name="Wang">{{cite journal |last1=Wang |first1=I. J. |last2=Lin |first2=I. C. |last3=Hou |first3=Y. C. |last4=Hu |first4=F. R. |title= A comparison of the effect of carbomer-, cellulose- and mineral oil-based artificial tear formulations |journal=European Journal of Ophthalmology|volume=17 |issue=2|pages= 151–159 |date=2007 |doi=10.1177/112067210701700202 |pmid= 17415686|s2cid=36508740 }}</ref><ref name="Pucker">{{cite journal |last1=Pucker |first1=A. D. |last2=Ng |first2=S. M. |last3=Nichols |first3=J. J. |title= Over the counter (OTC) artificial tear drops for dry eye syndrome |journal=Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews|volume=2016 |pages= CD009729 |date=2016 |issue=2 |pmid= 26905373 |pmc= 5045033 |doi= 10.1002/14651858.CD009729.pub2}}</ref> Anhydrous lanolin is also used as a lubricant for [[brass instrument]] tuning slides.

Lanolin can also be restored to [[wool]]len garments to make them water and dirt repellent, such as for [[cloth diaper]] covers.

Lanolin is also used in [[lip balm]] products such as [[Carmex]]. For some people, it can irritate the lips.

Lanolin is sometimes used by people on [[continuous positive airway pressure]] therapy to reduce irritation with masks, particularly nasal pillow masks that can often create sore spots in the [[nostril]]s.

Lanolin is a popular additive to [[moustache wax]], particularly 'extra-firm' varieties.

Lanolin is used as a primary lubricating component in aerosol-based brass [[lubricant]]s in the ammunition reloading process. Mixed warm 1:12 with highly concentrated [[ethanol]] (usually 99%), the ethanol acts as a carrier which evaporates quickly after application, leaving a fine film of lanolin behind to prevent brass seizing in resizing dies.

Lanolin, when mixed with ingredients such as [[neatsfoot oil]], [[beeswax]] and glycerol, is used in various [[leather]] treatments, for example in some [[saddle soap]]s and in leather care products.