White Beeswax, pellets, 100 g

White beeswax

White beeswax firms up and thickens oil blends, which makes it one of the basic ingredients for making balms, ointments and solid creams. It gives the formulation a firm consistency, a protective film on the skin and, unlike yellow wax, a neutral colour that will not tint light-coloured products or lightly tinted lip balms.

The ingredient is of animal origin, produced in Europe, in cosmetic and pharmaceutical quality. It is sold by the gram, so you can order exactly as much as your formulation needs.

Key benefits

• Firmness and structure – once the melted wax cools, it forms a firm network within the oil blend. The balm then holds its shape and in heat it does not run as quickly as oils and butters on their own.
• Protective film – it leaves a thin layer on the skin that slows down water evaporation. For dry and stressed skin on the hands, lips or elbows this is the most important effect.
• Neutral colour – white wax does not change the shade of light balms and creams, which you will appreciate especially when working with coloured pigments or with white products.
• Oil solubility – it blends with vegetable oils, butters and esters, but does not dissolve in water.

Use in the formulation

The wax belongs in the oil phase. During production it is weighed together with the oils and butters and heated in a water bath until it is fully melted and the mixture is clear. The mixture is then poured into containers or you continue preparing the emulsion.

The amount depends on how firm a consistency you need. In anhydrous balms and sticks a higher proportion is commonly used, while in creams and emulsions a few percent is enough to increase viscosity and stability. It is recommended to test the exact dosage on a small batch, because firmness is also affected by the other components, for example the ratio of liquid oils and butters.

If you are making an emulsion, keep in mind that beeswax is not an emulsifier on its own. Only a suitable emulsifier will join the wax-containing oil phase with the water phase. In such a formulation the wax acts as a firming agent and helps keep the cream thick and stable.

Suitable for products such as

• Lip balms – both solid and stick form, where the wax ensures the balm can be applied and holds together.
• Ointments and protective balms – for hands, elbows, heels and for harsh weather.
• Solid creams and sticks – solid body balms, massage sticks, solid perfumes, where a firm water-free consistency is needed.
• Thicker creams and emulsions – as a component of the oil phase to increase viscosity and stability.
• Pomades and waxes for hair and beard – where a fixing film is desired.

Good to know

The wax is added to the oil phase together with the other solid components right at the start, not at the end. If you added it to a partly cooled mixture, it would melt unevenly and lumps or a grainy texture could form in the balm.

A higher proportion of wax increases firmness, but also the feeling of "heaviness" and a waxy film on the skin. Those who want a lighter balm combine the wax with softer butters or with a larger amount of liquid oil. In emulsions too much wax can lead to a lumpy or uneven cream, which is why lower percentages are used.

If a balm or cream did not reach the expected firmness after cooling, the mixture can be carefully melted again and topped up. Likewise, excess firmness can be addressed by adding oil.

Anhydrous products with wax do not require preservation in the same way as emulsions. In creams with a water phase, however, wax does not replace a preservative and preservation must be addressed separately.

White and yellow beeswax

Both waxes serve the same role in a formulation. Yellow wax keeps its natural colour, which suits some natural balms but elsewhere affects the final shade. White wax has a neutral colour, so it is chosen for light, white and coloured products where the colour needs to stay under control. The cosmetic and pharmaceutical quality of white wax also makes it suitable for products where the purity of the ingredient matters.

Frequently asked questions