Is Lanolin vegan?
Depends
Lanolin is wax extracted from sheep wool. Most vegans avoid it because of wool-industry practices.
Also known as: wool wax, wool grease
What it is
A waxy substance secreted by sheep's sebaceous glands, recovered when wool is washed.
Why depends
The sheep are not killed to obtain lanolin, so some vegetarians use it. However, the wool industry is tied to mulesing and slaughter of older sheep, so the Vegan Society and most vegans classify lanolin as non-vegan.
Where you'll find it
- Lip balms (Lansinoh, Carmex)
- Nipple creams
- Moisturizers
- Vitamin D3 supplements
- Leather conditioners
- Some chewing gums
Vegan alternatives
- Plant oils (jojoba, coconut, shea)
- Cocoa butter
- Candelilla wax
- Vegan vitamin D3 from lichen
FAQ
- Is vitamin D3 always from lanolin?
- Most D3 comes from lanolin, but vegan D3 from lichen is widely available — look for 'vegan D3' or 'D3 from lichen' on the label.