Yellow Beeswax, yellow pellets 100 g

Beeswax is a natural hardener and emollient of animal origin. It gives firmness to ointments, balms, and creams, and forms a protective film on the skin that reduces water loss. In a formulation it serves several roles at once: it thickens the oil phase, stabilises W/O emulsions, and softens the skin feel. The granulated form is easy to weigh and dose even in small batches.

The raw material is of cosmetic and pharmaceutical quality and contains no fragrance allergens subject to labelling. It is suitable for preparations for dry and sensitive skin including children's, where a protective and soothing effect matters.

What it is suitable for

• Oil phase thickener – at the lower end of the dosage range it turns a liquid oil into a soft ointment; at a higher proportion a firm balm or stick forms.
• Film-forming agent – leaves a breathable layer on the skin that reduces water evaporation and protects the skin from drying out.
• W/O emulsifier and stabiliser – in fatty creams it helps keep the water phase dispersed in the oil and reinforces the emulsion structure.
• Emollient – softens the skin and complements the oils and butters it is commonly combined with.
• Skin barrier restoration – the protective film gives the skin time to regenerate, which is why wax is used in preparations for cracked and stressed skin on hands, lips, or elbows.

Use in formulation

Wax belongs in the oil phase. The granules melt together with the oils and butters at a temperature above 70 °C, the mixture is stirred until completely clear, and then left to cool with constant stirring. It does not dissolve in water, so in emulsions it always goes into the part of the recipe that contains oils. When making W/O creams, both phases are heated to the same temperature and the water phase is added to the oil phase gradually with vigorous stirring.

The recommended dosage is 5 – 20 %. The lower limit is sufficient for slight thickening of an oil serum or massage oil. Mid-range values give an ointment and a jar balm. The upper limit is intended for lip sticks and solid balms that must hold their shape even in warm weather.

When melting, work in a water bath to avoid overheating the oil phase. Wax residues from containers and utensils are most easily removed while still warm with a paper towel; once set, wax is harder to release from surfaces.

Suitable for products such as

• Lip balms and sticks – wax gives shape and protects lips from drying out.
• Ointments and protective creams – for hands, elbows, heels, and stressed skin.
• Baby and soothing balms – for sensitive skin, where an anhydrous composition is an advantage.
• W/O creams – rich, nourishing night and winter creams with a higher proportion of oils.
• Solid massage sticks and cuticle waxes – preparations that hold their shape without a jar.

Good to know

Anhydrous preparations made from wax and oils do not need a preservative as long as no water gets into them. Emulsions with a water phase must always be preserved and we recommend verifying their stability over time and under temperature changes. Compatibility with common oils, butters, and lipophilic active ingredients is unrestricted.

Yellow or white beeswax?

Both perform the same function in a formulation. Yellow wax retains its natural colour, so it slightly tints light formulations yellow. It is chosen where colour is not a concern or is desirable, for example in balms, ointments, and naturally-styled creams. White wax is bleached and does not colour the formulation; it makes sense in products where a clean shade matters or where precise colouring with pigments is required.

Frequently asked questions