A thick wax obtained from the stems of the Candelilla, or wax plant that is native to Mexico and the southern USA. Its stems are covered in wax to protect the plant from water loss. It is an occlusive moisturizing and emollient ingredient.
Also-Known-As:
Candelilla Cera, Euphorbia 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
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.
Astringent,
Astringent
Astringent ingredients provide the skin with a tightened feeling, help to reduce the appearance of large pores, and assist in the healing of small cuts and wounds.
Astringent,
Astringent
Astringent ingredients provide the skin with a tightened feeling, help to reduce the appearance of large pores, and assist in the healing of small cuts and wounds.
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.
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
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.
Euphorbia cerifera wax is a thick wax obtained from the stems of the Euphorbia antisyphilitica (previous name Euphorbia cerifera), also called Candelilla, or simply wax plant.
It is used in skincare products in a way similar to other waxes – as a thickener, emulsifier, emollient, and strongly occlusive ingredient that prevents water loss from the skin.
Candelilla plants thrive in dry, desert conditions and are native to Mexico and the southern USA. Its stems are covered in wax to protect the plant from water loss. Candelilla wax is obtained by gathering the dried plant stems and boiling them. The molten wax then floats on the surface of the water and can be collected after cooling.
Candelilla wax is composed mainly of simple hydrocarbons (40%), wax, and sitosterol esters (40%). Pure candelilla wax is fairly hard and brittle, which is why it is usually always diluted with other oils.
Science
1
Tinto, W. F., Elufioye, T. O., & Roach, J. (2017). Waxes. Pharmacognosy, 443–455.
'%20d='M0%207C1.62302e-07%205.14348%200.737498%203.36301%202.05025%202.05025C3.36301%200.737498%205.14348%201.99175e-07%207%200C8.85651%20-1.99175e-07%2010.637%200.737497%2011.9497%202.05025C13.2625%203.36301%2014%205.14348%2014%207L10.5%207C10.5%206.07174%2010.1313%205.1815%209.47487%204.52513C8.8185%203.86875%207.92826%203.5%207%203.5C6.07174%203.5%205.1815%203.86875%204.52513%204.52513C3.86875%205.1815%203.5%206.07174%203.5%207H0Z'%20/%3e%3c/svg%3e)
Occlusive
'%20fill='black'/%3e%3c/svg%3e)
