Beeswax Yellow

Beeswax Yellow — Technical & Clean Standards Overview

Beeswax Yellow is a natural, hard wax produced by honeybees (Apis mellifera) from the secretion of wax glands. It is composed primarily of esters of fatty acids and long-chain alcohols, with minor components including hydrocarbons, free acids, and trace pollen. It is harvested from honeycombs, purified through melting and filtration to remove impurities such as residual honey, pollen, or debris, and refined to achieve a consistent color, odor, and melting profile suitable for cosmetic and personal care use. Beeswax Yellow is inherently non-ethoxylated and free from synthetic chemical modification, making it compatible with clean, natural, and sustainable formulations.

In cosmetic and personal care applications, Beeswax Yellow functions as a structuring agent, film-former, emollient, and thickener. It helps stabilize oil-in-water and anhydrous systems, improves texture, increases product firmness, and contributes to a smooth, protective, and slightly occlusive layer on the skin. In creams, balms, lip products, and ointments, it provides body, structure, and longevity while enhancing sensory properties and water-resistance.

From a Clean Standards and safety profile perspective, Beeswax Yellow has a long history of safe cosmetic use. It is biodegradable, non-comedogenic, non-irritating, and generally well-tolerated by sensitive skin. It aligns with natural, organic, and clean beauty initiatives and is compatible with vegan-excluding formulations (note: as an animal-derived ingredient, it is not vegan). Responsible sourcing from sustainable beekeeping practices further supports environmental and ethical standards.

Ingredient Identification

• INCI Name: Beeswax

• CAS Number: 8012-89-3

Physical & Technical Properties

• Appearance: Yellow to golden solid wax

• Melting Point: Approximately 61–65 °C

• Solubility: Insoluble in water; soluble in oils and organic solvents

• Functional Role: Lipophilic structuring agent, emollient, film-former

Typical Usage Levels (Skincare & Cosmetics)

• Lotions & Creams: 0.5–5.0% (stability, texture, and barrier support)

• Lip Balms & Lipsticks: 5–25% (structure, firmness, and shaping)

• Body Butters & Salves: 5–15% (texture, spreadability, and hardness)

• Hair Pomades & Conditioners: 1–5% (texture, hold, and emollience)

Actual usage levels depend on formulation type, oil phase composition, desired firmness, and sensory attributes.

Formulation Compatibility & Common Combinations

Beeswax Yellow is commonly formulated with:

• Vegetable butters (Shea, Cocoa, Mango) to modify hardness and glide

• Oils and esters for smooth application and skin feel

• Emulsifying waxes or lecithin to stabilize oil-in-water emulsions

• Other natural waxes (Candelilla, Carnauba, Rice Bran Wax) to adjust melting point and texture

In formulations, Beeswax Yellow is added to the oil phase and heated above its melting point for uniform incorporation and to ensure proper product structure.

Regulatory & Safety Notes

• Regulatory Status: Generally recognized as safe for cosmetic use globally

• California Proposition 65: Not listed

• EWG Context: Rated low hazard; considered safe in typical cosmetic concentrations

• Irritation & Sensitization: Rare; generally non-irritating and non-sensitizing

• Clean Beauty Compatibility: High; natural, biodegradable, unmodified, supports clean and sustainable formulations