May 2019 News

The use of lanolin in Skin Care can be traced back as far as the days of the ancient Greeks. In fact, it has been praised for many years for its ability to reduce transepidermal water loss and its high vitamin-D content, making it one of the most used emollients. However, recently the general public has started to see it as an ‘iffy’ ingredient. Amongst the reasons for this change is the fact that over-exposure to lanolin and sometimes the presence of pesticides has caused an increase in reported cases of Skin Sensitisation or Contact Allergy Dermatitis.

Another element of debate lies in its origin: lanolin is processed from wool which is growing increasingly unpopular among vegans and vegetarians due to breeding conditions of sheep. Petroleum jelly, mineral oil and paraffin are presented as lanolin alternatives but are no more popular, as they are petrochemical derived products. Beeswax could also be a replacement but raises the same concerns among the vegan community.

Bringing together the benefits to the skin and the texture, Sapogel Q is a great natural alternative.

Sapogel Q is a mixture of glycerin, water, and two plant extracts rich in Saponins (Quillaja Saponaria and Saponaria Officinalis) which are not chemically processed in any way. Additionally, Saponins are known for their skin-soothing and antioxidant properties. Sapogel Q is designed to produce oily gels containing 80% of emollients with a lanolin texture. Balms and ointment textures without animal or petrochemical products are easily achievable. Download our suggestions on how to replace Lanolin with Sapogel Q in product development.