Candelilla Wax
Wax from the Mexican Euphorbia shrub. Often used as a vegan alternative to beeswax: harder, needed in smaller amounts, leaves a subtle sheen.
Supporting ingredient
It gives a product its texture, stability or shelf life. It has no claimed effect on the skin, so an efficacy tier does not apply. What is known about its safety is below
Tolerability and safety
- Irritation potential
- Low
- Allergen risk
- Low
- Pregnancy
- Safe
- Suitable for
- Normal, Dry, Oily, Combination, Sensitive
About this ingredient
Candelilla Wax (INCI Euphorbia Cerifera Cera) is a plant wax from the Mexican shrub Euphorbia cerifera. The plant grows in the semi-deserts of Chihuahua; the wax has been harvested for centuries for candles and textiles, and entered cosmetics as a vegan beeswax substitute. Composition and mechanism. About 50% long-chain hydrocarbons (hentriacontane), fatty acid esters, alcohols, resins. The wax is harder than beeswax, melting point around 70 °C. In a formula it works as a structurant, film-former, and occlusive. Retains moisture in the stratum corneum, adds hardness and shine, stabilizes emulsions. Where applied. Lipsticks, lip balms, solid serums and sticks, mascara, mineral SPF, wax masks. Because the wax is harder than beeswax, formulators add less (3-10% vs 10-20% beeswax). In Spain – in Mercadona lip balms, in vegan stick lines, and in Lavera color cosmetics. Evidence base. A functional component with a long usage history; no further clinical proof needed. Occlusive properties are confirmed in standard TEWL tests: the wax reduces transepidermal water loss comparable to beeswax. Safety. CIR in 2007 confirmed Candelilla Wax safe in cosmetic use. Hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic (rating 1), non-irritating. Suitable for vegan and cruelty-free products. Pregnancy and lactation – safe. No restrictions, including on nipples during lactation (gentle candelilla balms are a popular pick after Lansinoh). Best suited to: any skin type, especially dry chapped lips, cuticles, elbows. A solid alternative to beeswax in vegan cosmetics.
Frequently asked questions
Is Candelilla Wax safe during pregnancy?
Candelilla Wax is considered safe during pregnancy at typical cosmetic concentrations. Systemic absorption through the skin is minimal.
What skin types is Candelilla Wax for?
Candelilla Wax suits: normal, dry, oily, combination, sensitive.
What is Candelilla Wax and what does it do in cosmetics?
Wax from the Mexican Euphorbia shrub.
Is Candelilla Wax comedogenic?
On the Fulton scale 1/5 – very low comedogenicity. For acne-prone skin, a rating of 3 or higher suggests choosing an alternative.
What's the INCI name for Candelilla Wax?
The INCI name is Euphorbia Cerifera Cera. It may also appear as: Euphorbia Cerifera Wax, Candelilla Wax.
See Candelilla Wax in a product composition right on the store page
The Evigrade extension adds an evidence panel to iHerb, Sephora, Druni and 12 more stores. This ingredient and every other one in the product show evidence-tier, allergen risk and pregnancy/lactation flags at a glance.
Similar role in the formula
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