A waxy substance made by bees while they are building their honeycombs. It is an occlusive moisturizing and emollient ingredient with wound healing and antimicrobial properties similar to those of honey. Its bleached, purified form is called Cera alba.
Also-Known-As:
Cera Alba, White Wax, Yellow Wax
Moisturizing
Occlusive
Moisturizing (Occlusive)
Occlusives are moisturizing ingredients that seal moisture into the skin, forming a water-resistant barrier.
Occlusive
Moisturizing (Occlusive)
Occlusives are moisturizing ingredients that seal moisture into the skin, forming a water-resistant barrier.
Other functions
Emollient,
Emollient
Emollients fill the micro-cracks in the skin and leave it feeling soft and pleasant to the touch. Emollients are often mistakenly perceived as moisturizing ingredients.
Emollient,
Emollient
Emollients fill the micro-cracks in the skin and leave it feeling soft and pleasant to the touch. Emollients are often mistakenly perceived as moisturizing ingredients.
Antimicrobial,
Antimicrobial
Antimicrobials prevent the growth of harmful microorganisms on the skin.
Antimicrobial,
Antimicrobial
Antimicrobials prevent the growth of harmful microorganisms on the skin.
Fragrance,
Fragrance
Fragrance ingredients add scent to a product or hide ('mask') the undesired aroma of other ingredients.
Fragrance,
Fragrance
Fragrance ingredients add scent to a product or hide ('mask') the undesired aroma of other ingredients.
Binding,
Binding
Binding – bonds ingredients together.
Binding,
Binding
Binding – bonds ingredients together.
Emulsifying,
Emulsifying
Emulsifying – helps to mix water and oil together.
Emulsifying,
Emulsifying
Emulsifying – helps to mix water and oil together.
Emulsion Stabilizing,
Emulsion Stabilizing
Emulsion stabilizing – increases the stability of a formula.
Emulsion Stabilizing,
Emulsion Stabilizing
Emulsion stabilizing – increases the stability of a formula.
Film-Forming,
Film-Forming
Film-forming – creates a film to increase wear time.
Film-Forming,
Film-Forming
Film-forming – creates a film to increase wear time.
Viscosity Controlling
Viscosity Controlling
Viscosity controlling – changes the thickness of a product.
Viscosity Controlling
Viscosity Controlling
Viscosity controlling – changes the thickness of a product.
Origin
Animal
Animal
Ingredients derived from animals (including birds, fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and insects) or produced by animals (e.g. dairy- and egg-derived ingredients, bee products, silk, pearls, etc.)
Animal
Animal
Ingredients derived from animals (including birds, fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and insects) or produced by animals (e.g. dairy- and egg-derived ingredients, bee products, silk, pearls, etc.)
Beeswax is the yellow material made by bees while they are building their honeycombs. It is a waxy, solid substance that contains various esters, hydrocarbons, free fatty acids, and fragrant compounds.
It has many fantastic properties in skincare: it is an emulsifier (helping to mix oil and water), thickener, stabilizer, and, due to its content of wax esters and fatty acids, an occlusive moisturizing and emollient ingredient. It gives the skincare product a lovely honey-like scent and yellow color when used in its raw form.
Natural beeswax has some wound healing and antimicrobial properties that are similar to those of honey. Another form of beeswax is a bleached, purified white wax called Cera alba.
Science
1
Fratini, F., Cilia, G., Turchi, B., & Felicioli, A. (2016). Beeswax: A minireview of its antimicrobial activity and its application in medicine. Asian Pacific journal of tropical medicine, 9(9), 839–843.
Occlusive
