How Do You Get Vitamin D from Lanolin?

October 28, 2025 •

3 min read

Over 75% of the US population may be vitamin D deficient, which is why supplementation is so common. However, many people wonder, "how do you get vitamin D from lanolin," the ingredient listed on so many supplement bottles.

Quick Summary

The process of extracting vitamin D from lanolin is a complex industrial procedure, not a DIY method. It involves purifying the wool-based lanolin to isolate 7-dehydrocholesterol, which is then converted into vitamin D3 using controlled UV light exposure.

Key Points

Lanolin is a precursor source: Lanolin, a wax from sheep's wool, is the starting material, not the final vitamin D itself.
Industrial conversion is required: Extracting vitamin D from lanolin is a complex factory process involving chemical isolation and purification, not a simple DIY method.
UV light is essential: The crucial step involves exposing a lanolin derivative (7-dehydrocholesterol) to UV light, mimicking the body's natural vitamin D synthesis.
End product is vitamin D3: The process results in cholecalciferol, or vitamin D3, the form most effectively used by the human body.
Not vegan: Because lanolin is an animal byproduct, supplements derived from it are not suitable for vegans, who should seek plant-based D3 alternatives.
Equally effective alternatives exist: Plant-based D3, often sourced from lichen, is now available and provides comparable bioavailability to lanolin-derived D3.

The Industrial Process: A Scientific Conversion

While many people might think that the vitamin D is somehow present in the lanolin in a usable form, that is not the case. The process is a complex, multi-stage industrial procedure that converts a precursor molecule into the final vitamin D3. This process, which occurs in a specialized factory setting, mirrors the natural synthesis that happens in the skin of both humans and sheep when exposed to sunlight. The following steps detail how manufacturers produce vitamin D3 from lanolin:

Step-by-Step Production from Lanolin

Wool Collection and Extraction: The process begins with shearing sheep to collect their wool. The raw wool is then washed with a hot detergent solution to remove dirt, debris, and crude lanolin (also called wool grease). The crude lanolin is separated from the wash solution, often using high-speed centrifugation.
Refining and Purification: The crude lanolin is further refined and purified through chemical processes like saponification. This helps to remove impurities and isolate specific fatty components.
Isolation of 7-Dehydrocholesterol: The purified lanolin alcohols are then subjected to additional refining and chemical reactions, which lead to the extraction of crude cholesterol. This cholesterol is the base ingredient needed to produce 7-dehydrocholesterol, the key precursor molecule for vitamin D3.
UV Illumination: The isolated and purified 7-dehydrocholesterol is exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. This crucial step is a photochemical reaction that mimics the effect of sunlight on skin, converting the precursor into previtamin D3.
Thermal Isomerization and Processing: The previtamin D3 undergoes a heat-induced reaction to convert it into the final stable form, cholecalciferol, which is vitamin D3. This substance is then further purified, concentrated, and standardized for content.
Formulation: Finally, the concentrated vitamin D3 is formulated into various products, including tablets, capsules, and liquid drops. It can also be added to fortify foods and beverages.

Why You Can't Just Rub Lanolin on Your Skin

Unlike the process in the sheep's wool, which naturally synthesizes a small amount of vitamin D on the fleece, you cannot simply rub lanolin cream on your skin and expect to absorb vitamin D. The body and the skin rely on a complex, internal process for vitamin D synthesis. The 7-dehydrocholesterol precursor needs specific, powerful UV light and a series of controlled chemical reactions to become the active vitamin. Raw lanolin is not a bioavailable source of vitamin D; it is only a raw ingredient for industrial-scale processing.

The Difference Between Lanolin-Derived D3 and Other Sources

When choosing a vitamin D supplement, consumers may encounter different forms, primarily D2 (ergocalciferol) and D3 (cholecalciferol). Lanolin is a source for D3. Vegan supplements often use plant-based sources like lichen for D3, or a yeast-based source for D2.

Lanolin-Derived D3 vs. Plant-Based D3


Feature	Lanolin-Derived Vitamin D3	Plant-Based Vitamin D3 (from Lichen)
Source Material	Waxy substance from sheep's wool	Lichen (a composite organism of fungus and algae)
Form	Cholecalciferol (D3)	Cholecalciferol (D3)
Vegan-Friendly	No (animal-based)	Yes
Bioavailability	High (comparable to natural skin synthesis)	High (similar to lanolin-derived D3)
Processing	Multi-stage industrial extraction and conversion	Multi-stage industrial extraction and conversion
Cost	Often a cost-effective source for supplements	Can sometimes be more expensive due to sourcing

Vegan Alternatives and Ethical Considerations

For those following a vegan lifestyle, lanolin-derived vitamin D3 is not suitable due to its animal origin. Fortunately, the rise of veganism and consumer demand has led to the development of plant-based vitamin D3 extracted from lichen. While older plant-based vitamin D was typically the less potent D2 form, newer technology now offers highly bioavailable plant-based D3. Some ethical concerns have also been raised regarding the treatment of sheep in certain shearing practices, prompting some companies to prioritize more sustainable and cruelty-free alternatives.

For more technical information on vitamin D metabolism, a good resource is the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), which details the complex vitamin D production and metabolism process.

Conclusion

In summary, you get vitamin D from lanolin not by direct absorption but through an elaborate industrial manufacturing process. This procedure transforms the cholesterol precursor found in sheep's wool into the active vitamin D3, which is then used in supplements and fortified foods. While effective, it is an animal-sourced ingredient, leading to the development of equally bioavailable plant-based alternatives for vegan consumers. Understanding the science behind this conversion helps clarify why a seemingly simple household product is a critical component in producing a vital dietary supplement.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, you cannot get vitamin D by rubbing lanolin cream on your skin. The process requires isolating a specific compound from the lanolin and exposing it to controlled UV radiation in a factory, a process that cannot be replicated at home.

Lanolin is used because it is a readily available, economical source of 7-dehydrocholesterol, the precursor molecule that is chemically converted into vitamin D3 through UV light exposure.

No, vitamin D derived from lanolin is not vegan as it is sourced from sheep's wool. Vegans should look for supplements that explicitly state they are plant-based, often sourced from lichen.

Vitamin D from lanolin is cholecalciferol (D3), which is often considered more potent and longer-lasting in the body than plant-based ergocalciferol (D2). However, high-quality plant-based D3 is also now available.

Some individuals have ethical concerns regarding the potential treatment of sheep in certain farming or shearing practices. This has led some supplement manufacturers to choose cruelty-free, plant-based alternatives.

7-dehydrocholesterol is a precursor molecule found in high concentrations within lanolin. It is this specific compound that undergoes a photochemical reaction with UV light to create previtamin D3 during industrial processing.

Yes, vitamin D3 derived from lanolin is generally considered safe and effective. The final product is highly purified and concentrated for use in supplements and fortified foods.