Beeswax

Beeswax (CAS 8012-89-3), also identified as E901 in food and pharmaceutical contexts, is a natural wax derived from honeybee combs and refined for industrial use.

Where is Beeswax used?

• Personal care: structuring agent, emulsifier and surface coating material
• Cosmetics: structural backbone for lip balms, stick deodorants, pomades and cream formulations
• Food: glazing and coating agent on confectionery, fresh produce and cheese rinds
• Pharmaceuticals: tablet coatings and ointment bases that modify release profiles
• Industrial coatings, adhesives and sealants: improves slip, water resistance and surface finish
• It is commonly found in wood polishes, leather treatments and candle production.
• Improves the structure and viscosity and gives body to W/O emulsions and anhydrous systems.
• In O/W emulsions, refines the skin feel.
• Used as a carrier for colors in foods.
• In the textile industry, used to make fabrics waterproof and increase their durability and water resistance.

Good to know: White beeswax is the bleached form preferred where colour neutrality is required. Recognised grades include USP, BP, Ph. Eur. and FCC, with yellow and white variants at each specification level.

Formulation notes

• A good substitute for co-emollients and soft, synthetic waxes.

Typical specification

• Usually supplied as pastilles or flakes.
• Changes color if heated above 85 °C.
• Contains about 10-14% hydrocarbons in addition to alcohols, fatty acids, and esters.

Regulatory status

• Allowed only for surface treatment of certain fruits.
• Registered under the EU Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES), allowing legal sales within the European Union.

Storage, packaging and handling

• Flammable at high temperatures; keep away from open flames and heat sources.

Frequently asked questions about Beeswax

How does beeswax perform in mascara formulations?

It improves texture, increases volume build-up through layering and optimizes the adhesion of fillers due to its strong adhesion to lashes.

Is beeswax suitable for hair styling products?

It is suitable for providing hold in hair styling products.

What physical forms of beeswax are available?

It is available in yellow pellets, white pellets, and white blocks.

Technical content is compiled and updated by the SoleChem product team from public technical sources; the certificate of analysis (COA) governs product-specific specifications.