Buying guide for best cosmetic beeswax
Beeswax is rich in beneficial properties, such as being anti-inflammatory and antiviral. It aids in eliminating acne, dry skin, and stretch marks. Because of these positive qualities, beeswax is sold in forms that are easy to use and manipulate for health and beauty purposes. Of the four main types of beeswax (general use, pharmaceutical/cosmetic-grade, raw, and organic), cosmetic-grade beeswax is the one used for beauty regimens and supplements.
Beeswax has been approved for human consumption as well as for use as an ingredient in beauty products. What makes it cosmetic-grade beeswax has to do with the level of impurities it contains (cosmetic-grade has less than other types).
Key considerations
What is beeswax?
Beeswax is a secretion from honeybees. The worker bees have a special organ that secretes the wax out of their abdomens. The bees use beeswax to aid in constructing their honeycomb, which the bees then use to store their honey and raise their young. Bees create honeycomb in a way that’s similar to construction workers building a house from the ground up. They build a foundation and increase its size and shape by continually depositing wax.
When beekeepers harvest honey, they can also harvest the honeycomb itself. (This doesn’t harm the bees, as they just begin to create new honeycombs in place of the old.) After it’s harvested, the honeycomb is heated in water, and thus begins its life as beeswax.
Forms
Pellets: This is the most common form of cosmetic-grade beeswax. Pellets are popular because they’re so easy to use. Rather than dealing with a solid brick of wax or measuring wax from a sheet, pellets can be counted to determine precisely how much beeswax is needed. Pellets melt the easiest and the fastest as well.
Sheets: You can also find beeswax that is pressed into a sheet. The sheet can be cut and manipulated into segments that are usable for manufacturing cosmetics or beauty products.
Block: Beeswax also comes as a solid block. The block can be grated for melting or other uses. Chunks of beeswax are also used to make candles. If you know you’ll be using a lot of beeswax to make cosmetics, getting blocks in bulk can save you money in the long run.
Packaging
Resealable bag: Pellets often come in resealable bags, because it’s not often you will use the entire package for one project. This type of packaging is airtight and keeps the beeswax safe from any moisture or contaminants. It can be opened and sealed any number of times without compromising the package itself. Store it on the counter or in the cupboard; it’ll be safe from children and pets.
Jar: You might think all beeswax comes packaged in a jar, which is probably because of the way honey is packaged. Beeswax in a jar could be more difficult to manipulate because it may stick to the sides. But if you rarely use beeswax, a jar might be the best option, because the glass will protect the beeswax for a long time.
Paper/plastic wrap: If you get blocks or bars of beeswax, it most likely is wrapped in plastic wrap or paper. This is perhaps the least convenient type of packaging because it doesn’t lend itself to resealing. You’ll need to find a different container in which to store your leftover beeswax to protect it from moisture and contamination.
Uses
Cosmetics: Think lip balms, lip glosses, eyeliners, and eye shadows. These products can all be made using cosmetic-grade beeswax. Because of its inherent antibacterial and healing properties, beeswax keeps the lips healthy and moisturized in balms and glosses. When used in eyeliner, beeswax helps to increase the density and thickness of the makeup.
Skin: When beeswax is used in a lotion or skincare treatment, it adds a layer of protection to the skin while still allowing skin to breathe. That’s why it’s so highly regarded in the world of beauty products. Unlike other ingredients, beeswax also remains on the skin as a protective layer for a longer period of time.
Hair: Because of its texture, beeswax works well in hair products like pomades, mustache waxes, and beard balms. The beeswax helps to keep the style intact while also providing shine and sleekness.
Food: As a food supplement, beeswax can provide anti-aging benefits. Look for products that contain beeswax as a supplement in order to gain this specific benefit.
Did you know?
Beeswax is naturally an off-white color. It turns a goldenrod yellow when the bees return from foraging and stain the wax with the nectar and pollen they’ve gathered. You should choose beeswax that has this familiar yellow color.
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Complementary ingredients
Lavender: Lavender is thought to help heal minor wounds while also providing relief for anxiety and restlessness. Include lavender oil in a beeswax product such as soap or lotion to help soothe the skin and relax the mind.
Peppermint: Peppermint is great for helping heal skin conditions, and it has antibacterial properties as well. Include peppermint in a lip balm or gloss to provide that minty scent as well as moisturize and heal chapped lips.
Eucalyptus: Eucalyptus aids wounds and burns, and it provides relief for arthritis. Create a beeswax balm to spread over achy joints or recent minor wounds and burns. The properties of eucalyptus and beeswax combine to help heal and provide relief.
Cosmetic beeswax prices
Inexpensive: The most affordable cosmetic-grade beeswax costs between $8 and $12 per pound. This can be in pellet or block form, with pellets likely costing slightly more than the block.
Mid-range: This beeswax costs between $13 and $30 per pound because it’s organic or contains even fewer impurities than the more affordable versions. Again, you will most likely find this beeswax in pellet form.
Expensive: Premium cosmetic beeswax costs $30 or more per pound. This beeswax might be made by bees that have pollinated certain plants for their specific properties, and these products may also be organic.
Did you know?
The melting point of beeswax is between 143°F and 149°F. However, this range may vary depending on the purity and density of the beeswax.
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Tips
- Watch out for impurities. If you opt to use general-use cosmetic beeswax, be aware that it may contain more impurities, such as pollen, oils, and propolis (another bee secretion).
- Check the purity. If you’re unsure of the purity of the beeswax you’ve chosen, drop a small amount into boiling water. The beeswax will float, and the impurities in the wax will settle to the bottom. If there are impurities, do not use this wax for cosmetics.
- Check the source. It’s possible to get beeswax directly from a beekeeper, but doing this also increases the chances that you may not know exactly what is in the beeswax.
FAQ
Q. Can I collect my own beeswax?
A. If you have your own beehives, absolutely. If you don’t, it can be dangerous to collect beeswax from the wild. You also won’t know the purity of the beeswax. Unless you have your own hives, it’s suggested that you get beeswax from a professional.
Q. Does beeswax expire?
A. No. That’s another great property of beeswax — it never goes bad! Keep it in a cool, dry location and it will be usable for decades.
Q. If I’m allergic to honey, does that mean I’m also allergic to beeswax?
A. Yes and no. It’s rare to have an allergy to beeswax itself because beeswax doesn’t necessarily have allergenic properties. What happens is the beeswax has had extensive contact with honey, and if you’re allergic to honey, there could still be remnants of it on the beeswax. This is what is called a “contact” allergy to beeswax.
