Lanolin Starts at the Source
Lanolin is the naturally occurring wax that sheep secrete to keep their wool soft, resilient, and weatherproof. When wool is washed during shearing, the lanolin is gently separated, cleaned, and refined into a silky golden balm. No animals are harmed; the process rides along with routine shearing that sheep need for comfort.
Because it comes straight from a renewable source, lanolin is biodegradable and returns to the environment without lingering. There are no petrochemical feedstocks, no solvents that stick around, and no synthetic polymers that persist like silicones do.
Built to Nourish Skin on Contact
Human skin recognizes lanolin because its lipid profile closely mirrors our own protective sebum. It melts in at body temperature, spreading effortlessly to patch up dry, cracked, or windburned lips. That biomimicry is why hospitals and lactation consultants routinely recommend medical-grade lanolin as nipple cream for new mothers. It calms stressed skin without fragrance, preservatives, or synthetic films. We use that same high quality medical-grade lanolin in our WorkingBalm.
When we fold lanolin into our balm, it acts as both emollient and occlusive: delivering moisture deep down while sealing it in with a breathable barrier. The result is a finish that feels conditioned rather than coated, even after hours outside.
Industrial Toughness, Pocket-Sized
Long before the beauty world took notice, lanolin earned a reputation in workshops and boatyards. Mechanics brushed it onto tools, ship rigging, and firearms to keep rust at bay. Farmers swore by it on hinges and saw blades. Today, heavy-duty lanolin-based sprays still protect metal surfaces and even serve as undercoating on vehicles to prevent corrosion from road salt and ocean spray.
That same staying power shows up in our balm. A swipe across a knife handle, zippers, or tent hardware leaves a whisper-thin layer that shields against moisture without attracting grit. It is a natural alternative to petroleum greases or silicone coatings when you want to keep gear mission ready.
Why We Choose It Over Petroleum
- Zero petroleum, zero silicones. WorkingBalm skips petrolatum, mineral oil, and silicone films entirely. Lanolin delivers the durable slip and cushion we want without fossil-derived fillers.
- Naturally derived and circular. Lanolin is harvested alongside wool, a renewable fiber, while beeswax and plant oils come from regenerative sources. Every component returns to the environment without lingering the way petroleum residues can.
- Proven performance. From new mothers soothing nursing skin to engineers shielding critical metal components, lanolin-based formulas have decades of real-world proof backing their safety and effectiveness.
The Bottom Line
Natural ingredients are the backbone of WorkingBalm. Lanolin, beeswax, sugarcane-derived squalane, and meadowfoam seed oil layer together to deliver lasting nourishment for lips and a protective film for whatever else needs attention in the field, without relying on petroleum or silicone shortcuts.