Carnauba Wax
Plant wax from the leaves of the Brazilian carnauba palm. The hardest of natural waxes: gives lipsticks and sticks longevity and raises the melting point of a formula.
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
Carnauba Wax (Copernicia Cerifera Cera) is a natural wax from the leaves of the Brazilian palm Copernicia prunifera. The hardest of plant waxes: melting point 82-86 °C, higher than beeswax (62-65 °C) or candelilla (68-73 °C). Composition. Esters of long-chain fatty acids and fatty alcohols (C24-C30), free fatty acids, hydrocarbons, resins. No SCCS-listed allergens. Where applied. Lipsticks, balms, and lip sticks – give firm structure and shine (5-15%). Eye and brow pencils. Mascaras – raise viscosity and longevity. Stick deodorants, warm-application masks. Also in pharmacy as a tablet coating and in food (E903). In Spain it features in Sensilis Origin Lip Balm, Isdin Si-Nails, Babaria sticks. Evidence base. A functional ingredient with no inherent biological skin effect. Does not moisturize or treat – it sets texture and density. Safety. CIR confirmed safety at use concentrations. Hypoallergenic; contact dermatitis is reported only as case studies. On the 1970s Fulton scale comedogenicity is 1 (low); acne-prone patients may see isolated comedones from heavy stick products. Pregnancy and lactation – safe. Acceptable at any stage, including areas in contact with the infant (lip balm during breastfeeding). Suitable for. Universal. Worth knowing its hardness: dry lips in dense sticks may need softer components (oils, lanolin, squalanes). A vegan and kosher alternative to beeswax.
Frequently asked questions
Is Carnauba Wax safe during pregnancy?
Carnauba Wax is considered safe during pregnancy at typical cosmetic concentrations. Systemic absorption through the skin is minimal.
What skin types is Carnauba Wax for?
Carnauba Wax suits: normal, dry, oily, combination, sensitive.
What is Carnauba Wax and what does it do in cosmetics?
Plant wax from the leaves of the Brazilian carnauba palm.
Is Carnauba 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 Carnauba Wax?
The INCI name is Copernicia Cerifera Cera. It may also appear as: Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Carnauba Wax.
See Carnauba 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
Other functional ingredients
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Carvone, Cedrus Atlantica (Cedarwood) Oil, Cellulose, Glyceryl Rosinate, PEG-12, PPG-6-Decyltetradeceth-30, Tetrasodium Pyrophosphate
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