What Vitamin is Made from Sheep's Wool?

January 8, 2026 •

4 min read

Over 75% of the U.S. population is vitamin D deficient, which has led to a major increase in supplementation. Many people are unaware that a significant portion of the world's vitamin D3 is derived from a seemingly unconventional source: sheep's wool. This article explores the process, properties, and ethical considerations surrounding the vitamin that is made from sheep's wool.

Quick Summary

The majority of vitamin D3 supplements are derived from lanolin, a wax secreted by sheep's sebaceous glands. This waxy substance is extracted from shorn wool and processed through a series of chemical reactions to produce cholecalciferol, or vitamin D3.

Key Points

Vitamin D3 Source: The vitamin derived from sheep's wool is vitamin D3, or cholecalciferol.
Lanolin is the Key: Vitamin D3 is not made directly from wool but from lanolin, a waxy substance secreted by sheep's sebaceous glands and extracted from their shorn fleece.
Processed with UV Light: The extraction process involves converting the 7-dehydrocholesterol found in lanolin into vitamin D3 by exposing it to ultraviolet (UV) light.
Lichen-Based Vegan Alternative: For those avoiding animal products, vegan vitamin D3 is sourced from lichen and is chemically identical and equally effective as lanolin-derived D3.
Ethical Considerations: While lanolin is a byproduct of the wool industry and no animals are harmed for its specific extraction, its use raises ethical questions for vegans and animal rights advocates.
Read Product Labels: Consumers should check product labels to confirm the vitamin D source and to ensure supplements do not contain other non-vegan additives like gelatin.

The Lanolin Connection to Vitamin D3

Lanolin, often called wool grease or wool wax, is a waxy substance secreted by the sebaceous glands of sheep. Its purpose is to protect the sheep's fleece and skin from harsh weather, keeping it waterproof and conditioned. This natural byproduct of the wool industry contains a steroid called 7-dehydrocholesterol, which is the precursor for vitamin D3. The process mimics the way human skin produces vitamin D from sunlight, making it an efficient and widely used method for supplement manufacturing.

The Multi-Step Process of Vitamin D3 Extraction

The journey from sheep's wool to a finished vitamin D3 capsule is a complex, multi-stage industrial process. It begins with the wool-shearing process, after which the fleece is collected for processing.

Lanolin Extraction: The raw wool is washed in hot water with a special detergent to remove impurities like dirt, sweat salts, and debris. During this scouring process, the crude lanolin is separated from the wool using centrifugal separators.
Purification: The crude lanolin is then purified through several steps to remove contaminants, such as pesticides or residues from the wool's environment. This can involve molecular distillation and solvent extraction to obtain high-purity cholesterol.
Conversion to Pre-Vitamin D3: The purified cholesterol is subjected to a series of chemical reactions to produce 7-dehydrocholesterol.
Irradiation: This crucial step exposes the 7-dehydrocholesterol to high-intensity ultraviolet (UV) light, mimicking the sun's action on skin. This converts the precursor into previtamin D3.
Isomerization: Finally, the previtamin D3 is heated, causing it to undergo a process called thermal isomerization to form the final product: vitamin D3, or cholecalciferol.

Lanolin-Derived Vitamin D3 vs. Plant-Based Vitamin D3

With the rise of veganism and ethical sourcing concerns, plant-based alternatives to lanolin-derived vitamin D3 have become more widely available. While lanolin-based D3 is effective, it is not considered vegan. The primary plant-based source for vegan D3 is lichen, a symbiotic organism of algae and fungi.


Feature	Lanolin-Derived Vitamin D3	Lichen-Derived Vitamin D3	Vitamin D2 (Ergocalciferol)
Source	Sheep's wool grease (Lanolin)	Lichen (algae and fungus organism)	Yeast and fungi
Vegan Status	Not suitable for vegans	Certified vegan and plant-based	Usually vegan-friendly
Bioavailability (Efficacy)	Highly effective, bioidentical to human-produced D3	Highly effective and bioidentical to human-produced D3	Less effective than D3 at raising blood vitamin D levels
Ethical Considerations	A byproduct of the wool industry; some may have concerns regarding sheep farming practices	Generally considered highly ethical and sustainable	Varies depending on processing; generally seen as ethical
Purification Process	Multi-stage process to remove impurities like pesticides	Grown in controlled conditions, minimizing exposure to contaminants	Varies, but naturally occurring in some mushrooms

Benefits and Considerations

The choice between lanolin and plant-based vitamin D3 largely depends on dietary restrictions, ethical beliefs, and personal preferences. For those who follow a vegan lifestyle, lichen-derived D3 is the clear choice and offers comparable bioavailability to its lanolin-derived counterpart. However, many manufacturers still use lanolin as it is a well-established and economical source for high-quality vitamin D3.

It is important for consumers to read product labels carefully, as some vitamin D supplements may also contain inactive ingredients like gelatin, which is not vegetarian or vegan. The increasing availability of high-quality plant-based vitamin D3 from lichen has made it easier for people with ethical or dietary restrictions to find suitable supplements without compromising on effectiveness.

Conclusion

Vitamin D3 is the specific vitamin derived from the precursor substance found in sheep's wool. The process involves extracting lanolin, converting the cholesterol within it to 7-dehydrocholesterol, and then exposing it to UV light to produce cholecalciferol. While this animal-derived source remains a staple in the supplement industry, the growth of ethical and plant-based alternatives, particularly from lichen, provides consumers with more choice than ever before. Regardless of the source, maintaining adequate vitamin D levels is crucial for overall health, and understanding where your supplements come from is an important part of informed decision-making.

How Lanolin Helps Sheep and Humans

Beyond its role as a precursor for vitamin D, lanolin itself has many practical uses, particularly for its powerful moisturizing properties. Here are some of its benefits:

Skin Protectant: As an emollient, lanolin creates a protective barrier on the skin, sealing in moisture and protecting against irritants.
Intense Moisturizer: Lanolin can hold up to twice its weight in water, making it incredibly effective for healing dry, cracked skin and chapped lips.
Barrier Repair: Studies show lanolin can help reinforce the skin's natural barrier, improving hydration at a deeper level and aiding in wound healing.

These inherent qualities explain why lanolin has been used for centuries, from ancient Greek medicine to modern skincare products, and why the discovery of its vitamin D potential was so significant.

Frequently Asked Questions

The process of extracting lanolin to make vitamin D3 does not harm the sheep directly. It is a byproduct of the wool industry, meaning lanolin is collected after the sheep have been shorn. However, some vegans and animal rights advocates raise concerns about the ethical practices within the broader wool farming industry.

Yes, vitamin D3 derived from lanolin and the vegan alternative derived from lichen are both highly effective and chemically identical. Studies indicate they are equally bioavailable and successful at raising vitamin D levels in the blood.

Since lanolin is an animal byproduct, supplements containing lanolin-derived vitamin D3 are not considered vegan. Some vegetarians may still use it, but vegans typically seek alternatives like lichen-based vitamin D3.

The key substance is lanolin, a waxy secretion found in sheep's wool. It is not the wool fiber itself but the greasy coating that contains the necessary sterols for vitamin D synthesis.

Historically, plant-based vitamin D was primarily the less effective D2 (ergocalciferol) form, found in mushrooms. The discovery of lichen as a source for D3 is a more recent development. Lanolin has long been an economical and widely available source for high-quality D3.

No, you cannot get vitamin D3 directly from raw wool. The extraction and purification process requires specialized industrial equipment to isolate the lanolin, convert the precursor, and create the finished vitamin D3.

Besides vitamin D supplements, purified lanolin is a common ingredient in many personal care products. This includes moisturizers, lip balms, skin creams, and nipple creams for breastfeeding mothers, prized for its moisturizing and protective properties.