All about wax

Waxes are commonly used in cosmetics and skincare products for their ability to provide structure, texture, and moisture retention. Here are some commonly used waxes and their properties:

1. Beeswax

• Origin: Natural wax produced by honeybees.
• Properties: Thickening agent, emollient, and humectant that locks in moisture and provides a protective barrier.
• Concerns: As beeswax is created by the bees, it is considered an animal (or insect) by-product, so it cannot be classified as vegan.
• As there is such a demand for beeswax, this has led to unethical handling of honeybees and their hives. Not just the fact that often the entire hive is melted down but there is also concern that in order to obtain the hive, the Queen has her wings clipped so that she cannot leave. Certainly there are definitely bee keepers who ensure that the wax is ethically sourced and endeavour to not harm the bees in any way, but it is few and far between and as the global consumption of bee related products in on the rise exponentially this is a cause for concern for the ethical treatment of our most precious bees.

2. Candelilla Wax

• Origin: Derived from the leaves of the candelilla plant, a shrub native to northern Mexico and the southwestern U.S.
• Properties: Harder than beeswax, forms a protective layer, and adds gloss, making it ideal for lip balms and lotions.
• Concerns: Vegan-friendly but can raise sustainability concerns due to over-harvesting and environmental impact. The shrub is very slow growing and therefore obtaining the wax can be devasting for the plant's regrowth. 

3. Carnauba Wax

• Origin: Derived from the leaves of the carnauba palm, native to Brazil.
• Properties: Known for its hardness and glossy finish, used in cosmetics for shine and stability, especially in mascaras and lipsticks.
• Concerns: Vegan-friendly but there are sustainability concerns, especially around labour practices in Brazil.

4. Rice Bran Wax

• Origin: Extracted from rice bran oil, a byproduct of rice milling.
• Properties: A good alternative to candelilla wax, it has similar hardening and emulsifying properties but is softer and adds creaminess to products.
• Concerns: Vegan-friendly and typically considered a sustainable option, as it’s usually a byproduct of the rice industry, but typically comes from China and the USA, so there is still an environmental impact.

5. Sunflower Wax

• Origin: Derived from sunflower seeds.
• Properties: A solid, hard wax used to give structure to products like lip balms and body butters, offering a matte finish.
• Concerns: Vegan-friendly and often considered a sustainable alternative due to the abundance of sunflowers. However, it is a very hard wax and therefore not easy to use.

6. Synthetic Waxes

• Origin: Man-made, typically derived from petrochemicals or plant-based sources.
• Properties: Provide a wide range of textures and stability, used in products like waterproof cosmetics; it creates a barrier over the top layer of the epidermis. 
• Concerns: The environmental impact of petrochemical-based synthetic waxes. I am looking at products like Vaseline. Due to this film form over the skin, it can cause issues if the skin needs to heal.