The benefits of sheepskin come from its two layers: a deep pile of wool that cushions, breathes and absorbs moisture, on a soft leather backing that holds it all together. Wool can absorb up to 35% of its own weight in moisture before it feels wet, according to the wool industry body Woolmark, and in a 2004 hospital trial of 441 patients a certified medical sheepskin cut the rate of new pressure ulcers from 16.6% to 9.6%. Our Australian medical sheepskin overlay is certified to the AS4480.1 standard. Down-Under Wool, a family business, has supplied sheepskins since 1988. This guide sets out what sheepskin does well, how good the evidence is for each benefit, and where the usual claims go too far.
What are the benefits of sheepskin?
The main benefits of sheepskin are comfort, temperature control, moisture handling, pressure relief and durability. Some are well tested; others rest on what wool is known to do as a fiber. Here is how they compare:
| Benefit | Why it happens | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Comfort and cushioning | A dense pile of springy, crimped wool fibers spreads body weight | Wool fiber science (Woolmark); seat pressure maps of dense wool pads |
| Temperature control | Wool traps air and releases or absorbs heat as it takes up moisture | Wool fiber science (Woolmark) |
| Moisture handling | Wool absorbs up to 35% of its weight before feeling wet | Wool fiber science (Woolmark) |
| Pressure ulcer prevention | Lower pressure, friction and moisture on the skin | Randomized trials of medical sheepskins |
| Well tolerated by skin | Wool fiber is not shown to be an allergen; fine fibers do not prickle | 2017 dermatology review |
| Durability | A wool fiber can bend up to 20,000 times before breaking | Woolmark; wash testing of medical sheepskins |
Why is sheepskin so comfortable?
Sheepskin is comfortable because its dense, springy wool pile gives under the body and spreads weight over a larger area. Each wool fiber has a natural wave, called crimp, that lets it stretch and recover like a spring, so a deep pile gives under you and then springs back. Because the fibers grow from the leather backing, the pile stays in place.
The denser the pile, the more of this cushioning you get. That is why people who sit or lie for long hours choose dense skins: our Healthcare Lambskin has a very dense 30 mm (1.2 inch) pile, and the knitted Pressure Smart XD1900 overlay carries 1,900 grams of Merino wool per square meter.
Does sheepskin regulate temperature?
Yes, sheepskin helps regulate temperature in both directions. Woolmark explains that wool releases heat as it absorbs moisture, which keeps you warmer and drier in cold, damp conditions, and that in hot, dry conditions wool keeps you cooler. The crimp in the fibers also traps small pockets of air, which insulates in winter.
It is not magic, though. In a Dutch nursing home trial of medical sheepskins, most users rated the sheepskin well but one in three found it too warm. If you run hot, use a lighter top cover. We explain the summer side in more detail in does sheepskin keep you cool?
How does sheepskin handle moisture?
Sheepskin handles moisture by absorbing sweat vapor into the wool fibers and letting it escape, so the surface next to your skin stays drier. Woolmark's figure is that wool can absorb up to 35% of its weight before it feels wet and clings to the skin.
Dry skin is more than a comfort point. Moisture from sweat, urine or stool softens the skin and makes it easier to damage, which is why MedlinePlus lists leaking urine or stool as a risk factor for pressure injuries. For people with incontinence, choose a urine-resistant product; our incontinence bedding range lists them.
Does sheepskin help prevent pressure sores?
Yes, a certified medical sheepskin helps prevent pressure sores, and this is the best-tested benefit of sheepskin. In a 2004 randomized trial of 441 patients at a Melbourne teaching hospital, 9.6% of patients given a sheepskin overlay developed pressure ulcers, compared with 16.6% of those on usual care. A 2010 trial in Dutch nursing homes found sacral pressure ulcers in 8.9% of the sheepskin group and 14.7% of the control group.
The wool works on three things at once: it spreads pressure, its smooth fibers cut friction and shear as the body moves, and it keeps the skin drier. Those results come from sheepskins made to the Australian standard AS4480.1, which carry a stamp on the leather backing, not from decorative rugs. See our medical sheepskin range, and how to use sheepskin for bed sores for placement.
Is sheepskin hypoallergenic?
Wool fiber is not an allergen on current evidence, so most people can use sheepskin without an allergic reaction. A 2017 review in Acta Dermato-Venereologica found that the itch some people feel from wool comes from coarse fibers, roughly 30 microns and thicker, pressing on the skin, not from allergy, and that superfine Merino wool is well tolerated and may even help in managing eczema. The review looked at wool garments, so if a sheepskin bothers you, tell your doctor. Our page on being allergic to sheepskin covers the details.
How long does sheepskin last?
A well-made sheepskin lasts for years with the right care. Woolmark notes that a wool fiber can be bent up to 20,000 times before breaking, so the pile springs back after use. Medical sheepskins are built for heavy washing: HiTemp UR skins have withstood more than 200 hot wash-and-dry cycles and stayed soft, and our AS4480.1 medical sheepskin overlay is warranted for at least 50 washes in Woolskin.
The catch is that not every sheepskin is washable; the tanning decides. Wash only skins tanned for it, in a sheepskin wash such as Woolskin, because household detergents damage the leather. Our guide to how to wash sheepskin has the steps.
Other practical benefits
- Naturally resistant to flame and static. Wool fleece is naturally resistant to flame and to static electricity.
- A by-product. Sheepskins come from sheep raised for meat; read are sheepskins sustainable?
- Versatile. The same material works on a bed, a chair, a wheelchair or a car seat.
What are the benefits of sleeping on sheepskin?
Sleeping on sheepskin gives a softer, drier, more even surface: the wool cushions the hips and shoulders, takes up night sweat, and helps keep you at a steady temperature. Most research on sheepskin bedding measures pressure ulcers rather than sleep quality, so treat claims of deeper sleep as personal experience rather than proven fact.
For an adult bed, a lambskin or medical sheepskin covers the area from the shoulders to below the buttocks, and a wool underlay covers the whole mattress. Browse our sheepskin bedding or the washable skins in our lambskin bedding range.
Is sheepskin good for babies?
Sheepskin is fine for babies during supervised awake time, but a baby should never sleep on one. The NIH Safe to Sleep campaign advises placing babies on their backs on a firm, flat surface with no soft objects in the sleep area, and it names sheepskins among the soft surfaces that are not safe for babies to sleep on.
Used safely, a washable lambskin gives a soft, warm surface for tummy time on the floor while you watch, and a cozy lining in a stroller when the baby is awake and supervised. Take it out of the crib, bassinet or stroller before the baby falls asleep.
Sheepskin benefits FAQs
Is sheepskin good for your health?
Sheepskin is good for comfort and skin protection, and certified medical sheepskins are proven to reduce pressure ulcers in people at risk. Broader health claims, such as better circulation or immunity, are not backed by good evidence.
Is sheepskin good for winter?
Yes. The deep wool pile traps air and keeps you warm, and wool gives off heat as it absorbs moisture from damp air.
Is sheepskin good for summer?
Often, yes. Wool draws sweat away from the skin and Woolmark notes that it keeps you cooler in hot, dry conditions, though some people still find a full sheepskin too warm.
Is sheepskin good for eczema?
It may be. A 2017 review found superfine Merino wool well tolerated and possibly helpful in eczema, while coarse wool can itch. Ask your doctor about your own skin.
Is sheepskin good for the elderly?
Yes, for older people who spend long hours in bed or a chair, a medical sheepskin cushions bony areas and keeps the skin drier. See our guide to sheepskin for bedridden patients.
Why is a medical sheepskin different from a sheepskin rug?
A medical sheepskin is made to a standard for density and washability, while a rug is made for looks. Read medical sheepskin vs regular sheepskin.
Does sheepskin smell?
Clean sheepskin has little smell. Wash it in a sheepskin wash when it starts to smell from use, and shake and air it in between.
The short version
Sheepskin is comfortable, breathable, good at handling moisture and long lasting, and certified medical sheepskins are proven to reduce pressure ulcers. It is not a cure-all, and babies should never sleep on it. If you want sheepskin for comfort or skin care, choose a dense, washable skin and look after it. Questions? Contact us; we have been answering them since 1988.
