Name: Lanolin Alcohols
CAS No: Lanolin alcohols [8027-33-6]
BP: Wool Alcohols PhEur: Wool Alcohols USP-NF: Lanolin Alcohol
Alcoholes adipis lanae; alcoholia lanae; alcolanum; Argowax; lanalcolum; Ritawax; Super Hartolan; wool wax alcohols.
Lanolin alcohols [8027-33-6]
Lanolin alcohols is a crude mixture of steroidal and triterpene alcohols, including not less than 30% cholesterol, and 10–13% isocholesterol. The USP32–NF27 permits the inclusion of up to 0.1% w/w of a suitable antioxidant, while the PhEur 6.0 specifies that lanolin alcohols may contain up to 200 ppm of butylated hydroxytoluene as an antioxidant.
See Section 4.
Lanolin alcohols is used in topical pharmaceutical formulations and cosmetics as a hydrophobic vehicle with emollient properties, e.g. in preparations for dry skin and dry eyes. It is also used in the preparation of water-in-oil creams and ointments at concentrations as low as 2% w/w. The proportion of water that can be incorporated into petrolatum is increased threefold by the addition of 5% lanolin alcohols. Such emulsions do not crack upon the addition of citric, lactic, or tartaric acids.
Lanolin alcohols is a pale yellow to golden brown-colored solid that is plastic when warm but brittle when cold. It has a faint characteristic odor.
See Table 1
Solubility Freely soluble in chloroform, dichloromethane, ether, and light petroleum; soluble 1 in 25 parts of boiling ethanol (95%); slightly soluble in ethanol (90%); practically insoluble in water.
Lanolin alcohols may gradually undergo autoxidation during storage. Store in a well-closed, well-filled container, protected from light, in a cool, dry place. Normal storage life is approximately 2 years.
Incompatible with coal tar, ichthammol, phenol, and resorcinol
Lanolin alcohols is prepared by the saponification of lanolin followed by separation of the fraction containing cholesterol and other alcohols.
Lanolin alcohols is widely used in cosmetics and topical pharmaceutical formulations and is generally regarded as a nontoxic material. However, lanolin alcohols may be irritant to the skin and hypersensitivity can occur in some individuals.(1)
Observe normal precautions appropriate to the circumstances and quantity of material handled.
Included in the FDA Inactive Ingredients Database (ophthalmic and topical preparations). Included in nonparenteral medicines licensed in the UK. Included in the Canadian List of Acceptable Nonmedicinal Ingredients.
Cholesterol; lanolin; lanolin, hydrous; petrolatum and lanolin alcohols; mineral oils.
Water-in-oil emulsions prepared with lanolin alcohols, unlike those made with lanolin, do not show surface darkening, nor do they develop an objectionable odor in hot weather. The EINECS number for lanolin alcohols is 232-430-1.