Ingredient Education: Wax

If you're a lip balm junkie like me, you might have noticed that there are several different types of wax used to make lip balm. I was curious to learn more about them, and share my discoveries.

Wax is a substance found naturally in plants. Bees wax is the genuine article, but wax comes from other plants and can be artificially produced as well. Worker bees collect nectar from plants which is used to make honey. When the bee eats the honey, he secrets wax from wax producing glands on his abdomen. The wax is then chewed by the bee to construct the combs where honey is stored, and the young are raised. (source)

Cera Flava (Yellow Bees Wax): This is the wax taken directly from the hive. The honey is extracted, and the wax is boiled, strained, and poured into molds for cooling. The color is yellowish brown, and it should smell like honey. Cera Flava has a melting point of approximately 146*F, and becomes pliable just by the warmth of your body. It is readily dissolved in oils. (source)

Cera Alba (White Bees Wax): This is the same thing as Cera Flava, but has been exposed to the sun to remove color and smell. Cera Alba has a slightly higher melting point than Cera Flava, and also easily dissolved in oils. (source)

Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla Wax): This wax is produced by the Candelilla plant which grows in the Chihuahua Desert. (Northern Mexico, Southwestern Texas) Plants in the hottest and driest areas produce a hard wax to help the plant retain moisture. It has a melting point af approximately 157*F. It is a common ingredient used in chewing gum. (source)

Copernica Cerifera (Carnauba Wax): This wax comes from the Brazilian Palm Tree, or "Tree of Life". Like the Candelilla plant, the palm tree produces wax to retain moisture. During harvesting, only 20 leaves may be removed from the tree, to ensure the tree is not endangered. Although the tree grows elsewhere, the rainy seasons inhibit wax production. Carnauba wax is often used as a vegan alternative to bees wax. However, Carnauba wax is harder than bees wax and requires a temperature of approximately 185*F to melt. (source)