It is made with those fine fibers we already spoke about and those fibers make sure that most people have a great wool wearing experience. The Stratum Corneum is the outer layer of the Epidermis and is a lipid (oil) rich system, being bathed in an oily coating of Sebum, which is secreted by the Sebaceous glands of the skin. They always have access to clean water and ample food, shelter, preventive care, and speedy treatment, and often call thousands of acres home. When the sheep is shorn each year (the sheep's hair cut) the wool is washed, processed & the Lanolin Oil extracted & refined. Merino should have taken a lesson from alpaca and cashmere and completely dropped the word “wool” from its name. This is why wool doesn’t readily absorb odors compared to other materials. What Exactly is Merino Wool? Predating Science, it was never 'invented' & has never been bettered for versatility. The Lanolin is the Sheep's natural nourisher & protector against the extremes of its environment. If lanolin is re-added through the use of detergent, the wool becomes water-repellent once again, making it difficult for the woollen clothing to absorb moisture and sweat from the body. Merino is a breed of sheep highly prized for its soft and finely crimped wool. Lanolin is a grease produced by sheep to help maintain and protect its fleece. Sheep wool contains a small amount of lanolin. ">Professor Kligman wrote -In a healthy population encountering lanolin in the normal way, the incidence of lanolin allergy is vanishingly small. It is harvested for its own properties and is a great moisturiser. As wool is a natural fiber then the sheep has evolved to produce anti bacterial agents to keep its wool from being a haven for Bactria when it is on the sheep still. An understanding of Lanolin's unique qualities is helpful. Some people are allergic to lanolin, which makes them react adversely to wool textiles. Merino vs Wool. *Emollient defined as an oil, having the ability to enhance the moisture content of the Stratum Corneum & thereby imparting a smooth softening effect. Theme by Jason M Design. Since merino wool manages moisture so well, there is no wet environment for that bacteria to grow. Any wool from a lanolin producing animal will cause problems. These oils of Lanolin are extremely similar to those natural oils we secrete from within our own skin(we're both animals). Is merino wool free of the lanolin that the sheep produce? Lanolin used by humans comes from domestic sheep breeds that are raised specifically for their wool. How Do We Get Merino Wool? There are extensive records of safe use of lanolin in skincare applications. Merino wool feels nice and soft to most people. What gets tricky is the allergy aspect. The properties of the natural lanolin in the sheep’s wool works to repel odors from the material. Created in New Zealand in 1980, those who have discovered the secret of Merino Skin Care are passionate advocates and life long users. A perfect match! A century of scientific investigation has evolved qualities, traditionally unparalleled in their stringency and surety. Historically, many pharmacopoeias have referred to lanolin as wool fat (adeps lanae); however, as lanolin lacks glycerides (glycerol esters), it is not a true fat. LANOLIN is such a material. All Rights Reserved. Scale is the roughness of the surface of the fiber. What does ‘Merino’ mean? The Short Answer: Lanolin is a complex combination of waxes, oils, esters and alcohols that coat the fibers of sheep’s wool. The wool quilt is not a bad fabric to be under, it just doe snot have the same qualities as other wool versions. Merino wool is a natural, renewable fiber—meaning one sheep can grow four to five pounds of wool per year. LANOLIN is the precious oily secretion from the skin of the sheep that becomes trapped in the sheep's wool. Alpaca wool is a great hypoallergenic alternative to wool, because… 100% pure alpaca wool contains minimal levels of lanolin, and is therefore considered hypoallergenic. They are also unlikely to cause allergies. It’s a pretty amazing fiber. It is made of keratin, just like human hair, however unlike human hair wool also contains lanolin in its natural state. Ethically sourced wool products begin with flocks of hardy Merino sheep grazing on green grass in the shadow of jagged peaks. Woolen garments are not likely to smell of sweat. In short, alpaca wool is hypallergenic and free from lanolin. Therefore there is NO animal cruelty associated with shearing the sheep. A hundred years ago, local Yorkshire wool mills were still scouring (washing) their fleece in the same stream that drove the water wheel that powered the mill. It is great for wet felting but less good for needle felting as it takes so long to felt and can often give a fluffy finish. Merino is whole heartedly based on lanolin oil which is the oil nature produces closest to our human skin oil. Does the Merino wool hype have any basis? © Copyright Merino USA. The presence of cellular moisture within this layer is responsible for the plumpness, smoothness, elasticity and translucency of healthy, young skin. Merino wool isn't thee only wool or thee most perfect wool. Then you’ll soak the wool again to remove more lanolin, following the same process. From a technical perspective, the diameter of wool is measured in microns, and the lower the micron the finer and more expensive it is. We just don’t call it lanolin. Merino Skincare uses various fractions of LANOLIN in scientifically balanced proportions . AND. Wool is a natural fibre obtained by shearing the coat of a sheep (or goat, or alpaca or similar animal). “Wool” brings back mostly negative memories of having to wear unpleasantly scratchy clothes to cope with even more unpleasant weather. The lanolin will work to keep away bacteria and mitigate strong lasting odors. Wool is carefully shorn (cut using electric clippers) from the live sheep by sheepshearers. Merino wool is predominantly made of interlocking protein molecules, the same protein in our own skin and hair, individual wool fibers have the ability to be bent, flexed and stretched in any direction 30,000 times or more without damage! Wool’s ability to manage moisture plus the lanolin coating on merino fibers mean that bacteria – including odor producing bacteria - can’t easily grow. Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window). Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Lanolin is just a fancy name for the waxy oils a sheep produces to maintain its fleece health. Meat sheep breeds produce perfectly usable good wool, just not the same as a merino. But Lanolin in our opinion forms the greatest replacement of our endlessly leached skin oils (washing, pollution, air-conditioning etc). It can be purchased as a soft wax to put on other products. Unfortunately, despite high industry standards for merino sheep, there is controversy over the practice of mulesing the sheep. But should you ever feel like your clothing is ready for a wash, Merino wool is completely machine washable, and it air-dries quickly. Lanolin … It is the ultimate emollient. We should begin to emphasize the benefits; not the risks. These happy animals hang out in temperatures that range from 5 degrees to 95 degrees—no problem. Here at Branberry, we use predominately Australian Merino Wool. This means you don’t have to worry as much about any unwanted smell. Actually I really hate merino wool for many reasons. LANOLIN is the precious oily secretion from the skin of the sheep that becomes trapped in the sheep's wool. Nature is abundant with materials which are beneficial to humans & their well-being . This gets rid of the fatty grease lanolin, which is a by-product used in cosmetics, but it means that only about half of the initial fleece can be used in the production of a garment. Merino is an excellent forager and very adaptable. Flystrike happens when blowfly eggs laid on the skin hatch, and the larvae fee… Odor-resistant: Merino wool has antimicrobial properties, as the natural lanolin in the sheep’s wool repels odor-causing bacteria. The Sebum plays a vital role in moderating the moisture balance of the Stratum Corneum and thereby it's condition. Also, merino wool does not let anybody … When the sheep is shorn each year (the sheep's hair cut) the wool is washed, processed & the Lanolin Oil extracted & refined. It is a unique, multifunctional substance, designed by nature, fashioned by man . Hair, for example, has very little scale and no crimp, so it is nearly impossible to weave into a yarn since the smooth straightness of the hair doesn’t create grip. In Australia for example, the wool industry has a high standard of animal welfare, with sheep that produce quality wool, high in lanolin. Ask a user. As with many natural fibres that come from animals, the name we use for the fabric indicates a particular breed of animal. In addition to its insulating properties, sheep’s wool contains lanolin, which repels water and bacteria. In addition, some find alpaca wool to be softer and warmer than sheep wool. Different wool: possibly the wool was too old, and the lanolin had dried up and fallen/rubbed off, or evaporated; maybe that wool didn't have enough lanolin to give a result in the first place A number of recipes suggest adding salt to the water, so we might should try that Commonly this is referred to as lanolin's. Largest Selection - 100% Money Back Guarantee - On Time Shipping - Best Customer Service. Our sheep are raised to roam. First, wool comes in a variety of forms, including sheep’s wool, merino wool, and cashmere wool. Thus Lanolin is the only animal (human compatible) oil obtainable without having to kill or dissect the animal. I say should because if the fiber is prepped in a wool facility, there may be cross contamination. Merino wool can have as many as 100 crimps per inch. Alpaca wool, for example, does not contain lanolin – so is therefor hypoallergenic. Reference ORR, S. R. Dr, Lanolin Demythologized, Personal Care, January 2001. Sheepshearers are specialized farm workers who learn this skill over many years of shearing practice. Any wool will have some Lanolin in it (even if superwashed), and any non-wool fiber should be free of it. Remember the quote from Professor Kligman: -Lanolin is a marvelous material. Certainly this is a natural & inevitable process, but the incorporation of moisturising materials in skin care systems can be effective. St. Johns Institute of Dermatology, London reviewed 24,930 patients for fifteen (15) years (1982-1996), who has Eczema and there was no reaction to lanolin products. If it has not been super washed, then the wool fabric may be itchier than the alpaca quilt. While most moisturising cremes & lotions use as their base oils, either vegetable or mineral oils, they don't have Lanolin's compatibility to those oils of our skin. Plus, this fiber has evolved over the years to keep sheep comfortable in harsh environments. In this case, a breed of sheep — thought to have originated in Morocco — found in southwestern Spain. They shear (cut) the wool off the sheep; then the wool is washed before the wool oil (lanolin) is extracted (scoured) from the wool. It does work well for adding detail and colour, but I would advise making a base core shape using a bulkier wool and then adding some merino. Like other sheep’s wools, merino needs scouring prior to being spun to yarn which is an energy and time-consuming process involving washing and rinsing the wool. We use some mineral & vegetable oils as supplements. Merino is a breed that is currently only great at super fine wool and nothing else. LANOLIN certainly has this effect. Lanolin is a by product of the wool industry. The performance of this quite remarkable substance and it's many derivatives has been endlessly demonstrated down through the ages. The wool is harvested from sheep just like milk is harvested from cows, and honey is harvested from bees. The moisture within these cells is considered to be in an emulsified form, maintained through the action of naturally surface active Lipids of the Sebum. It might have a … The Lanolin is the Sheep's natural nourisher & protector against the extremes of its environment. Merino Wool The alternatives are alpaca or camel wool as these animals do not produce lanolin. Outdoors Father is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon.com. Pure natural LANOLIN is too thick and too greasy for the skin. Lanolin is a wax secreted by the sheep. That is due to the barbs, the dander, and the lanolin found in regular wool. Merino wool is easy to care for, and its waxy Lanolin coating helps resist stains. I think the answer that you’re looking for is that wool as a natural ingredient coming from a sheep has also a close contant to the skin of this animal, where the lanolin oil is produced to give a natural barier between skin and water to protect sheep from unfavorable weather conditions. Blue Faced Leicester is a long fine wool with a staple length of 4-6 inches. Though they might be a cinch to find and may even be inexpensive, depending on the quality of wool, there are a fe w essential drawbacks to consider: It is bred predominantly for its wool, and its carcass size is generally smaller than that of sheep bred for meat. Leached due to our environmental harshness & modern way of life. Aging, sunlight and the vagaries of life in general result in a reduction in the ability of the Stratum Corneum to retain its ideal moisturise content, so the skin gets drier, rougher & looses it's youthful elasticity . Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Lanolin is an excellent emollient - it helps soften and soothe skin. No allergy Professor A. M. Kligman, world famous American Dermatologist has clinical studies proving that 99% of dermatitis patients were not allergic to lanolin. These types of wool range in texture, insulation, and appearance. And it … It would be a shame to hinder the wool’s ability to absorb u to 33% of its own weight in moisture without feeling wet. 100% pure alpaca wool does not need to be treated with chemicals If not, then anyone with a ‘true’ wool allergy – meaning they’re allergic to lanolin (like me) – will also be allergic to merino wool. So goats would not have “lanolin.” But all mammals probably have some similar substance that coats their hair fibers. Mulesing is done to reduce flystrike. Keep in mind that any time you process wool for lanolin, the resulting wool will be a bit different than what you’re used to. The risks are miniscule-. Wool allergy is believed to come from lanolin — a protective, waxy layer that covers every strand of sheep hair. If you do suspect a lanolin allergy, look for wools from other sources. The use of LANOLIN in cosmetics and skin care has a history longer than almost any other ingredient. If you don’t do this, your wool will be unusable. But garments made from ‘regular’ sheep’s wool, while warm, are relatively heavy and can feel scratchy due to the coarseness of the wool. - Outdoors Father What Does Merino Wool Feel Like? Every strand of sheep bred for meat nice and soft to most people -In a healthy encountering. More unpleasant weather easy to care for, and its waxy lanolin coating resist! To help maintain and protect its fleece properties, sheep ’ s wool repels odor-causing bacteria, traditionally unparalleled their! Sheep grazing on green grass in the sheep if it has not been washed! Pure alpaca wool is hypallergenic and free from lanolin care are passionate and! 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