NOTE: This review has been updated on 17/08/2025 with information on the latest version of this balm. I’ve kept the pictures with the old packaging, even though the review now reflect the version currently in the shops.
Come winter, I start to dry out like a fish out of water. My skin gets parched, my lips chapped, my feet rough, and my elbows scaly. Does it happen to you, too? It’s not a pretty picture. But, thankfully, I found a solution. Lanolips 101 Ointment. It’s a multi-purpose balm that contains only one ingredient: lanolin. Lano… what? Read on to find out what makes it special…
What’s In Lanolips 101 Ointment?
Lanolips 101 Ointment contains only ONE ingredient: Lanolin. Lanolin is the thick, sticky substance sheep secret to protect themselves from harsh weather. It creates a waterproof barrier that keeps them warm even when it’s freezing cold (now, why don’t I have it too? It’d come in handy in this showery weather).
Lanolin is very similar to human sebum, which is why it’s such a wonderful moisturizer for skin, nails, and even hair. It prevents skin from losing the moisture it needs to stay hydrated and supple, and keeps it soft and smooth too.
You may have heard that lanolin is dangerous. It’s not true. In the past, lanolin used to be contaminated with pesticides that gave people allergies. Thankfully, scientists have figured out how to remove all these impurities from lanolin. Today, it’s totally safe.
Related: Is Lanolin Bad For Skin?
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Texture
Thick. Like squeeze-with-both-hands thick when it’s cold. The tube actually feels like a bit of a workout in winter, but once you get it out, the balm softens as soon as it touches your skin and spreads better. When the weather’s warmer, it’s way easier to deal with: more melty, less hassle. It’s got that dense, clingy feel that sticks around instead of disappearing in ten minutes, which is exactly why it works so well.
Fragrance
Totally fragrance-free. No fake vanilla, no fruity sweetness, nothing. If you really shove your nose in, you might catch a faint lanolin-y smell, but it’s not noticeable once it’s on. Basically: if scents bug you or give you headaches, this is a safe zone.
How To Use It
This is one of those multipurpose balms you end up reaching for all the time. A few of the best ways to use it:
- Lip Balm: coats your lips in a thick layer that actually sticks around instead of vanishing in 5 minutes.
- Cuticle Cream: massage a tiny bit in and your cuticles look less dry by morning.
- Dry Patches: elbows, knees, or cracked heels soak it up and feel softer fast.
- On the Go Fix: works as a brow tamer, cheek highlight, or even to smooth flyaways.
Basically, if it’s dry, flaky, or rough, this little tube will sort it out.
Packaging
It’s a small squeeze tube, super easy to throw in your bag or pocket. Nothing fancy, just practical. The tube is metal, so once you squeeze it, it stays dented. Kind of old-school, but it works. The only annoying bit is when it’s cold and the ointment turns rock hard, it’s a bit of a struggle to push out. But honestly, I’ll take that over dipping my fingers into a sticky pot any day.
Performance & Personal Opinion
Lanolips 101 Ointment The Original is one of the most moisturising balms I’ve ever tried. My favourite way to use it is as a lip balm. Since I’ve started using it, my lips have been in great condition. They haven’t become chapped, flaked, or dry. On the contrary, they’re soft, smooth, and kiss-ready. The flavour is pretty neutral, which is good. Who wants to slather something disgusting on their lips? But if it’s too yummy, you’ll just lick it off within minutes (I can’t be the only one doing that, can I?).
101 Ointment also doubles up as a cuticle cream. And a moisturizer for extremely dry skin patches, like elbows and the heels of your feet. Apply this stuff all over them for a few days, and your skin will be as smooth as a baby’s. Either way, you’ll want to warm it up between your fingers. It takes a little while to absorb, but the little nuisance is worth a winter without chapped lips and scaly elbows. Don’t you agree?
Related: How To Treat Chapped Lips
What I Like About Lanolips 101 Ointment
- Thick and actually stays put instead of vanishing in ten minutes.
- No smell, no taste, no fake flavour nonsense.
- Works on everything: lips, cuticles, elbows, heels, random dry spots.
- Small tube you can shove in any bag or pocket.
What I Don’t Like About Lanolips 101 Ointment
- Squeezing it out in winter is a workout.
- Gets a bit sticky if you overdo it.
- Tube is tiny for the price.
Who Should Use This?
Anyone who’s sick of dry, cracked lips or rough patches that never stay soft. Great if you want one product you can use everywhere without worrying about perfume. If you like light, glossy balms, this isn’t it. It’s thick, heavy-duty stuff.
Does Lanolips 101 Ointment Live Up To Its Claims?
| CLAIM | TRUE? |
|---|---|
| Extreme hydration for extremely dry lips, skin patches, cuticles, nasal passages & more. | True. |
| A super dense lanolin balm that penetrates and seals in moisture. | It doesn’t penetrate skin, but it does seal in moisture. |
| 101 Uses including: – Dry cuticles – Cracked heels – Dry Nasal Passages – Keep Eyebrows In Place – Windburn – Cold-chapped cheeks – Dry brittle nails – Paper cuts – Insect bites – Mix with your own moisturiser to supercharge it |
True. |
Price & Availability
$16.95/£10.99 at Sephora, Look Fantastic, and Ulta
Do You Need It?
If you have very dry skin that just doesn’t get better, this can help.
Ultra Medical Grade Lanolin
About Gio
Hi, I’m Gio. I’m a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever – every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what’s worth the splurge and what’s best left on the shelf – using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.
