Thread: Can someone explain the logic behind lanolin in soaps and pre shave creams?

Originally Posted by gcbryan

I wonder if some hair conditioner on the chin area would be beneficial to do the same thing?

That's not a new concept as many use hair conditioner on their beards (while having a preshave shower) with great results. I tried it for a while, and it does work, but I found that the wax in the conditioner didn't jive well with my skin and I ended up getting clogged pores and zits. Felt like being a teenager again

My wife is into that whole Sheep to Fiber thing so I am often dragged along on one of her hunts for the next fiber. One thing I know is that when you stick your fingers in a sheep's coat, even after it has been sheared, the lanolin sticks to your skin and coats it with a soothing softening moisture that doesn't quickly wear away, even when washed.

I always thought it was a natural waterproofing that sheep emit in order to make their hair better resist the elements.

I have a tub of pure lanolin that I use in my homemade oil-based hand cream - I don't bother with essential oils because nothing seems to make it not smell farmyard. I've just had a thought... Would my olive oil, coconut oil, cocoa butter, beeswax, lanolin, and vitamin E concoction protect my blades?

I personally can't stand anything oily on my face, my pre-shave oil was only used a few times before I gave up on it.

Lanolin softens skin and hair, helps heal (increased cell production?) and moisturise skin, and helps hair retain moisture.*

* I have not looked for any scientific studies that prove/disprove what the Web says about lanolin.

Originally Posted by mjsorkin

I think any oil would get emulsified by the shaving soap. Then it wouldn't repel water.

Michael

"There's something wrong with your hand cream. Look, this me washing my hands for the fourth time... they're waterproof!"

"You used too much and you're supposed to let it soak into the skin."

From what I can see, lanolin that hasn't been saponified needs (a) something alkaline to turn it from a fat into a soap, or, (b) a surfactant like laundry detergent to emulsify it.

I haven't tried my hand cream as a pre-shave because it is oily, but also because if some of it got on my brush, I fear "melting it off with hot water" (37C melting point), "boiling it in salt water", "dipping it in something alkaline under pressure", or "stick it in the washing machine" would be the only ways to get the brush to absorb water again.

My not so knowledgeable opinion: if it isn't a soap or the ingredients don't include water, the lanolin is probably oil-in-oil and might be difficult to get out.

MWF does seem to soften the skin more , but like the others have said, I have gotten good shaving results with all the shaving soaps I have tried thus far using a long towel soaking to soften my beard. I use Lanlolin (a heavy Lanlolin lotion) mainly as a post shave treatment to keep my skin soft and moistened; especially during the winter months.