Various naturally occurring waxes are often used as an emollient agent in a variety of skin care products such as moisturizing lotion bars and lip balms. With ingredient lists that can sometimes be overwhelming, finding products that source ingredients naturally can be challenging. If you are looking for a nourishing ingredient that is safe for the skin and naturally occurring, Candelilla wax, whose name means ‘little candle’, may be the perfect addition to your skincare routine.
Candelilla wax is derived from the Candelilla plant (Euphorbia antisyphilitica) which is found in the more arid regions of North America such as the southern states of the United States of America and parts of northern Mexico. Here, they rely on their root system to store water and survive. The leaves of the Candelilla shrubs (Euphorbia cerifera) are then processed in order to create the Candelilla wax which is said to have countless skincare benefits. This article will explain more about the powerful properties of this plant-derived compound and will offer insight into how to incorporate this ingredient into your daily skincare routine.
As discussed above, Candelilla wax originates from the Candelilla shrub, more specifically the plant’s leaves. The processing of Candelilla wax is quite interesting as the plant is submerged in boiling water that has been treated with acid. This acidic water strips the wax from the leaves of the plant and the wax then collects on the surface of the water. The newly processed wax is then collected from the surface of the water before the final product can then be incorporated into cosmetics and other natural skincare products. The wax is regarded as chemically stable, and its content of fatty acids and nourishing properties allows it to be an extremely powerful natural skincare ingredient.
The natural vegetable wax derived from Candelilla shrubs has been gaining popularity in recent years. The powerful wax is known for its countless skincare and wellness benefits and is frequently found in clean skincare and personal care products. This vegan wax is a great alternative to beeswax and is often viewed as a slightly more sustainable alternative that is suitable for those that might have sensitivity to bees or pollen. This wax is used in a large array of body care products such as lip products, body butter, body lotions, and some hair products.
This vegan alternative does a great job of retaining the natural moisture barrier of the skin and hair. When used as a replacement for synthetic waxes in nourishing hair care products, Candelilla wax can help to enhance radiant shining strands and lock in moisture effectively. As a result, nourished hair lacks pesky flyways and frizz. The natural wax helps to reduce water loss from the skin and hair and can be used as an effective scalp treatment for those that deal with scalp irritation and dryness.
In addition to its use in natural haircare products, Candelilla wax is often used as an ingredient within the skincare and cosmetics industry. The wax’s high melting point and role as a viscosity enhancer enable it to bind other skincare ingredients together to form nourishing balms and moisturizers. These products, intended for external use, do a wonderful job of keeping the lips and skin nourished and healthy. Candelilla wax products are known to reduce the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles.
The smooth applications of Candelilla wax based moisturizers can help to reduce age spots and minimize the appearance of sun damage which can lead to an overall improvement in health and wellness.
Candelilla wax can also be used in DIY skincare recipes as its ability to melt quickly makes it the perfect ingredient to add to homemade lip balms and moisturizers. As the focus on clean makeup and skincare ingredients has become increasingly important for many consumers, the rise of DIY skincare products has also increased. Some forms of skin care are trickier to craft; however, the creation of simple moisturizing bars and lip balms is quite simple.
Candelilla wax is a wonderful emollient agent in these recipes and helps to hold together the handcrafted products. While Candelilla wax melts easily, making it one of the easier plant-derived waxes to work with, it remains solid at room temperature ensuring that your skincare products can be used easily without any mess. The texture of Candelilla wax based products ensures a smooth application to the skin and lips. The powerful effects of Candelilla derived moisturizers and lip balms help to reduce the appearance of stretch marks and age spots as moisture is locked into the skin.
Crafting a homemade lip balm may seem daunting, however, simple at-home recipes can be easily found online. Usually, the only ingredients needed to make a nourishing lip balm are a form of emollient wax such as Candelilla wax, a gentle mineral oil, and cocoa butter. If you are looking to add a gentle scent to the homemade recipe, feel free to add a skin-safe scented essential oil to the mixture. Usually, a few small drops will be sufficient as the Candelilla wax easily absorbs pleasant scents.
These ingredients can then be melted together on the stove before being poured into a heat tested mold. There are a variety of fun molds available online that can be used to craft homemade lip balms and moisturizing bars. After being added to the mold, the mixture can then sit at room temperature to harden into the final product. After carefully removing the moisturizing bar or lip balm from the mold feel free to use it as you would a traditional cosmetic lip balm or moisturizer. Make sure to pay attention to the shelf life described within the recipe as homemade cosmetics and skin care products often lack the preservatives that are found in more conventional skincare products. The lack of preservatives in a DIY skincare recipe may mean that the products need to be stored in a specific manner or used up more quickly.
If you have any specific medical conditions or are pregnant, it is best to seek advice from a medical professional prior to creating DIY skincare or using clean beauty products with Candelilla wax. While the plant wax is deemed safe to use in skincare and within certain foodstuffs, it is always important to check with your skin care professional before adding a new product or ingredient into your skincare routine.
Candelilla wax is not only used in the cosmetic industry-the plant-derived wax is even found within the food industry as a food additive coating for some types of produce. Candelilla wax is most often used as a glazing agent for specific types of produce. For example, it is common for apples to be coated with Candelilla wax in order to prolong their grocery store shelf life. This hard vegetable wax coating can serve as a protectant during transportation and increase the longevity of various forms of produce.
Another common use for Candelilla wax within the food industry is that it can be used as a binder within many different brands of bubble gum. Candelilla wax can also be used as a substitute for carnauba wax. Carnauba wax is derived from the Carnauba plant and is also used as an additive in a variety of foods. This wax is often used in candies in order to prevent melting as it also has a high melting point, similar to Candelilla wax.
Candelilla wax can also make your dance floors shine or be used in the creation of clean candles. Candles are the perfect accent to any home and the gentle calming scent of a burning candle can help relieve tension for many people. Candelilla wax is often used within thoughtfully crafted candles and can be paired with a variety of scents. Some waxes do not absorb scents easily, which can lead to difficulties in creating scented candles. However, Candelilla wax pairs perfectly with a variety of scents. If you are looking for a candle that prioritizes clean ingredients and natural scents, the "Simply Scentless" vegan candle offered by farragio is the perfect addition to your home.
Candelilla wax is growing in popularity due to its beneficial properties and skin benefits. Not only does it provide a great vegan alternative for those who need a replacement for beeswax, but it is also ideal for those with allergies to bees, honey or pollen. Its natural properties make it an excellent choice when looking to create products that are good for the skin and environment as well.
Yes! Candelilla wax is an inert, plant-based wax derived from the leaves of the wild Candelilla shrub found in Mexico, Texas and some parts of the US. It's a vegan alternative to beeswax, lanolin and other animal-based waxes. As it is 100% plant-based, it has become a popular choice for vegans. It can be used as an all-around wax in different cosmetics and skin care products. Moreover, its non-toxic nature makes it a safe ingredient that can be used on sensitive skin as well. Therefore, if you are looking for a vegan alternative to animal-based waxes, then Candelilla wax is your best bet.
Yes, Candelilla wax is hypoallergenic. For those who have allergies to bees, honey, or pollen, Candelilla wax is the ideal choice for a skin-nourishing product. Unlike most conventional skincare compositions, Candelilla wax is of highest quality and hypoallergenic. It contains fewer impurities and does not have any fragrances that may irritate sensitive skin. This means that it is gentle for most people with allergies and is beneficial for skin health. Also, since it does not contain components from plants that are known to cause allergic reactions, such as beeswax, this wax makes it easier for those with allergies to use skincare products without worrying about irritating their skin.