What is beeswax?
Beeswax is produced by honeybees (Apis mellifera) as they build the hexagonal honeycombs inside their hives. Once harvested, the wax is melted and filtered into a usable form—usually pale yellow or white depending on how it’s refined.
Known chemically as Cera alba, beeswax is composed mainly of fatty acid esters and long-chain alcohols. These give it a soft but durable texture and make it ideal for cosmetic use, where it offers both practical and protective benefits.
What are the benefits of beeswax in skincare and balms?
Beeswax plays a crucial role in balm formulations, where it helps bind oils together and create a solid, easy-to-apply product. But it also brings functional benefits for the skin:
- Forms a barrier: Beeswax coats the skin with a breathable layer that helps protect against moisture loss and external irritants.
- Supports hydration: Used with emollients, it helps seal in hydration, making it ideal for dry lips or skin exposed to the elements.
- Soothes and softens: It contains mild anti-inflammatory compounds that can help calm irritation or chapping.
- Stabilises texture: In balms, beeswax helps create that smooth, glide-on finish and keeps the formula from melting too easily.
- Adds richness: Its composition includes small amounts of vitamin A and fatty acids, contributing to its conditioning properties.
From hive to formula
Beeswax has been used in skincare and self-care rituals for millennia—favoured for its natural origin, texture and resilience. While it comes from the hive, its journey from raw wax to cosmetic ingredient involves filtering and refining to ensure it’s clean, consistent, and suitable for skin contact.
Though not vegan, beeswax remains a popular choice in natural skincare for its performance and simplicity.
