Beeswax

Wax · Cera alba

Beeswax

The classic natural wax

A golden natural wax secreted by honeybees to build their comb — the original balm-maker's wax, thickening and setting a blend while forming a soft, breathable protective layer on the skin. Hover any measure to see where beeswax sits on the scale.

Texture
Firm
Hard
Firm
Soft
How solid it is at room temperature. Harder butters and waxes add structure; softer ones spread easily.
Melt Point
High
High
Body Temp
Low
The temperature at which it melts. Body-temp butters melt on contact with skin; high-melt waxes stay solid.
Finish
Slight Sheen
Rich
Slight Sheen
Natural
Matte
The look left on the skin — from a flat, matte finish to a rich, visible sheen.
Vitamin E
Low
High
Moderate
Low
Natural antioxidant content. Beeswax is valued for structure rather than antioxidants.
The Basics

What it is

Beeswax is the natural wax that honeybees secrete to build their honeycomb. Harvested and filtered, it ranges from golden (unrefined) to white (refined), with a faintly honeyed aroma in its natural form.

It's the classic structural wax of balms and salves: it thickens and sets a blend, stabilises emulsions, and lays down a soft, breathable protective film on the skin. As an animal-derived ingredient, it is not vegan — for plant-based blends we turn to candelilla or carnauba wax.

Quick Facts

INCI nameCera alba
OriginHoneybee hive
SourceHoneycomb
Melt point~62–65°C
ColourGolden or white
VeganNo
Also calledCera flava (golden)
Where it comes from

The Bee & The Comb

Honeybee

The Honeybee

Worker bees produce wax from glands on their abdomen to build the hive's comb.

Honeycomb

The Comb

The hexagonal comb is melted and filtered into clean blocks or pellets of wax.

Composition

The Compound Profile

Beeswax is a complex mix of esters, acids and hydrocarbons. A typical breakdown:

Wax Esters long-chain esters
70%
Hydrocarbons alkanes
14%
Free Fatty Acids fatty acids
12%
Free Fatty Alcohols & other
4%
Beyond the Wax

What makes it the balm-maker's staple:

Wax Esters
The long-chain esters that give beeswax its body and set.
Breathable Barrier
Forms a soft, protective film that still lets skin breathe.
Emulsion Stabiliser
Helps hold oil-and-water blends together in balms and creams.
Why People Love It

Key Benefits

Thickens & Sets

The classic wax for giving balms and salves their structure.

Breathable Barrier

A soft, protective film that still lets skin breathe.

Stabilising

Helps hold emulsions together for a smooth, even blend.

In Our Formulations

How we use it

Beeswax is our classic structural wax — we use it to thicken and set balms and salves and to lay down a soft, breathable protective layer.

Because it's animal-derived and not vegan, we reach for candelilla or carnauba wax when a plant-based blend is needed.

← Back to the Lipid Encyclopedia