Candelilla Wax

This wax is extracted from the leaves and stems of the Candelilla shrub. Native to Mexico and parts of the northern United States, it grows to a height of 30 cm. The word candelilla is Spanish and means something like “little candle”. To protect itself against moisture loss, the plant produces a fine waxy coating that provides long-lasting protection. Our pure natural candelilla wax is yellowish-brown and ranges from opaque to translucent in appearance. It has a mild scent. It is a 100 % natural raw material obtained from an organic plant extract, with no synthetic additives, making it ideal for vegan and natural cosmetics. The plant thrives in arid, desert conditions, where its waxy coating serves as an adaptation to the extremely dry environment, protecting it from dehydration and UV radiation.

It works by forming a fine, breathable film on the skin’s surface, restoring the lipid barrier and preventing moisture loss. It therefore moisturises indirectly by locking water into the deeper layers, much like natural butters. It has protective and softening properties without leaving a heavy, waxy feel. It leaves a beautiful sheen and is particularly suitable at concentrations of 5-20 % in balms, sticks and creams, where it provides structure and stability without stickiness.

We recommend it for dry, very dry, rough and fragile skin, especially in winter, as well as sensitive skin prone to cracking, dehydrated skin and mature skin. It is excellent for balms for the lips, hands or elbows, where it protects against cold and wind. It is suitable as a protective ingredient for all skin types, including atopic skin, as it does not clog pores and is non-comedogenic. Ideal for vegans as an alternative to beeswax.

A study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Science (2018) showed that Candelilla wax at a concentration of 10 % in a lip balm improved lip hydration by 28 % after 4 weeks of use in subjects with dry lips, as measured using a thermometric method (Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2018). Further research in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science (2021) confirmed that applying the wax in a 15 % formulation improved skin barrier recovery by 22 % in individuals with dry skin, reducing transepidermal water loss (TEWL) (International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2021).