Obtained from the leaves of Carnauba wax palm, this occlusive, emollient, and film-forming wax is commonly used in lip products. It is comprised mainly of various wax esters and is one of the hardest and most resistant plant waxes.
Also-Known-As:
Copernicia Cerifera Cera
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
Exfoliant,
Exfoliant
Exfoliants remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin via acid-based chemical reactions (e.g., AHA or BHA).
Exfoliant,
Exfoliant
Exfoliants remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin via acid-based chemical reactions (e.g., AHA or BHA).
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.
Abrasive,
Abrasive
Abrasives 'physically' exfoliate the skin (i.e., manually remove dead skin cells) by rubbing against its surface.
Abrasive,
Abrasive
Abrasives 'physically' exfoliate the skin (i.e., manually remove dead skin cells) by rubbing against its surface.
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
Botanical
Botanical
Ingredients derived from plants, mosses, and lichens: extracts, oils, powders, juices and other types of processed plant materials.
Botanical
Botanical
Ingredients derived from plants, mosses, and lichens: extracts, oils, powders, juices and other types of processed plant materials.
Copernicia cerifera wax is obtained from the leaves of the Copernicia cerifera, also known as the Carnauba wax palm.
It is used in skincare products as a thickener and emulsifier. It forms an emollient, glossy, and slippery film on the skin’s surface, moisturizing and protecting it from transdermal water loss. It is a very common ingredient in lip balms, lipsticks, and mascaras.
Carnauba wax is obtained from palm leaves by beating the dry leaves until the little flakes of wax fall off. The raw wax might then be processed and bleached. It is the most commercially important plant wax with a myriad of uses (technical, cosmetic, and consumption). It is comprised mainly of various wax esters and is one of the hardest and most resistant plant waxes.
There exist several commercial grades of carnauba wax based on purity and oil content. They can range in color from yellow (the purest - grade 1) to grey, or sometimes even black (type 4).
Science
1
Tinto, W. F., Elufioye, T. O., & Roach, J. (2017). Waxes. Pharmacognosy, 443–455.
Occlusive
