Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax
Vegetable wax from sunflower seeds – a structurant for lipsticks and balms, a beeswax replacement. Pregnancy-safe.
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, Combination, Oily, Sensitive
About this ingredient
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax is a natural solid wax, a by-product of sunflower oil production. It is produced by winterization of unrefined oil, isolating the crystalline wax fraction. A vegan alternative to beeswax with similar formulation properties. Melting point around 74-77 °C. Where it is used. Lipsticks, lip balms, solid deodorants, stick creams, wax masks, beard and moustache products, butters, green chemistry solvents. Concentrations 2-10%. In Spain: Weleda, Lavera, and many Spanish natural and bio-cosmetic brand lines. Composition. Long-chain esters of fatty alcohols and fatty acids (C40-C60), free fatty alcohols, hydrocarbons, tocopherols (natural vitamin E), sterols. It gives a creamy, non-sticky texture and holds shape at room temperature. Mechanism. Occlusive – forms a thin protective film on skin and lip surface, reduces transepidermal water loss, and protects against wind, cold, and low humidity. Does not penetrate the stratum corneum – it works on the surface. Sensory profile: lighter and less sticky than beeswax. Evidence base. As a functional wax it has no clinical trials – the role is formulation and sensory. Lip balms with vegetable waxes show outcomes comparable to beeswax for lip barrier protection (Cosmetics, 2018). Functional ingredient evidence base C. Safety. CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, 2017) confirmed safety of sunflower wax. Non-cytotoxic, non-sensitizing, non-irritating. Pregnancy and breastfeeding – topical use is safe without restriction. In patients with known sunflower or Asteraceae allergy, theoretical cross-reaction is possible but clinically very rare. Non-comedogenic. Practical notes. In a lip balm, sunflower wax is a good base for vegan formulas. Compatible with all actives and oils. In lipsticks and sticks it usually sits at position 2-5. Stick deodorants add 5-10% for structure. Stable in formulas with natural oils, tocopherol, shea butter, and cocoa butter.
Frequently asked questions
Is Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax safe during pregnancy?
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax is considered safe during pregnancy at typical cosmetic concentrations. Systemic absorption through the skin is minimal.
What skin types is Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax for?
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax suits: normal, dry, combination, oily, sensitive.
What is Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax and what does it do in cosmetics?
Vegetable wax from sunflower seeds – a structurant for lipsticks and balms, a beeswax replacement.
Is Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax comedogenic?
On the Fulton scale 0/5 – non-comedogenic. For acne-prone skin, a rating of 3 or higher suggests choosing an alternative.
What's the INCI name for Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax?
The INCI name is Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Wax. It may also appear as: Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax, Sunflower Seed Wax.
See Helianthus Annuus Seed 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
Heptyl Glucoside, Hexadecanolactone, Hexamethylindanopyran, Hexyl Cinnamic Aldehyde, PEG-20 Methyl Glucose Sesquistearate, Pyridoxine HCl, Tridecane, Ceresin
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