COSMETICS WAXES

Cosmetic waxes: firmness for balms and sticks

In a water-free formulation, wax is the structural element. It raises the melting point of the butter-and-oil blend, which is why a lip balm holds in its stick, a massage bar keeps its shape in the palm and a stick deodorant does not melt in your pocket. Individual waxes differ in hardness and melting point – by combining them you tune the texture and surface of the product exactly to your needs.

Beeswax: the classic with a protective film

Beeswax firms up balms and forms a protective film on the skin. It comes in three forms: granulated yellow, which is easy to weigh and melt (100 g for €3.35, available up to 5 kg), filtered white with a more neutral colour for pale formulations, and natural in the block, in pieces of roughly 1 kg.

Plant waxes for vegan formulations

If the product is to be purely plant-based, four alternatives of differing character can take the place of beeswax: candelilla is a popular vegan substitute for balms, carnauba increases hardness and adds gloss, rice bran wax improves texture and stability. The range is completed by gentler specialities – jojoba and almond wax in packs from just 50 g.

Cosmetic wax versus candle wax

This category focuses on waxes for cosmetics; from a candle-maker's point of view its main offering is beeswax. Soy and blended waxes formulated for container candles, pillars and scented melts for aroma lamps – Golden Wax, EcoSoya and KeraSoy – have their own section in candle making, together with wicks and fragrances tested for burning.

Packs range from 50 and 100 g for first experiments to 5 kg for workshops, and the price per kilogram drops noticeably with volume: granulated beeswax comes to €25.70/kg in the 5 kg pack versus €33.50/kg at 100 g. Every wax is supplied with an SDS, a certificate and technical data for processing. You will find the solid fats you will be firming up with wax among the cosmetic butters.