Thread: Baby oil for pre shave

Originally Posted by cpcohen1945

Two questions:

1. "petrolatum ointment" has been used for baby's bums for a long time. It's petroleum-based; doesn't seem to do the kids any harm. It's really protective against urine-caused rashes.

2. "Rendering" lanolin? It's from sheep _wool_, not sheep _insides_. What were you using?

Charles

1. Petrolatum has been used for so long because when it was created it was technologically a wonder skin softener. And it does soften skin. I have a cousin that used it on her eyes for a long time. But repeated exposure to anything petroleum based actually breaks down the skin cells, which causes the softening. This needs quotation, but I can't remember when that research was done. It was a while ago. Modern petrolatum has gotten better, and now I avoid it for a host of reasons, not just skin concerns. Also, prolonged use actually makes your skin drier, which requires you to use the product and say, "wow, this stuff really softens my skin!" Just not a moisturizer and that's the important part.

2. Yes, lanolin is ALSO found in the wool. Lanolin is produced in oil/fat glands found in the skin and certain other parts of the "fatty bits." This oil/fat is secreted into the wool, just like our own hair/oil glands, to protect the wool/hair from the elements. Not all of the fat in the lamb contains significant amounts of lanolin, but rendering the skin and some of the creamier fats results in excellent product. How did you think the manufacturers were obtaining significant amounts of lanolin? Some can be gotten from the wool (maybe quite a bit), but you get much more by doing a low-temp rendering. Try it sometime. Awesome stuff.