Common Name(s): Candelilla wax,mexico wax,candelillin wax
CAS Number: 8006-44-8
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides vegan wax structure and gloss as an alternative to beeswax in lip care and cosmetics.
Why It's Used: Leading vegan beeswax alternative providing comparable structure and gloss for certified vegan lip care and cosmetics.
How It Works: Primarily hydrocarbons (50%) with esters (29%), free acids (9%), resins (12%). higher melting point (67-79°c) than beeswax (62-65°c) means candelilla wax is used at lower concentrations (typically 50% less) than beeswax for equivalent hardness. high gloss from resin content.
Typically Found In: Vegan lip care,natural cosmetics,plant-based balms
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient – vegan wax
Secondary Functions: Skin conditioning
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.5%–20% (use at ~50% beeswax concentration)
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Conditional - supplier confirmation required
Halal Status: Unverified - supplier confirmation required
Source Notes: Commercially produced for cosmetic use. verify vegan/halal status with supplier. [audit 2026-07-29 rev2: the record's own source_notes does not assert a non-animal origin, or instructs the reader to verify with the supplier; "yes" asserts knowledge the record does not hold. determination requires shariah-panel sign-off.]
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 – very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 – non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Well-tolerated by most skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Good safety profile at recommended concentrations. ewg score: 1–2.
Works Well With: Standard skincare actives
Avoid Combining With: No known significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Candelilla wax's higher melting point than beeswax counterintuitively requires lower formulation concentration vs beeswax for equivalent product hardness. the wax's higher melting enthalpy means a smaller mass of candelilla wax stores more 'structural crystalline energy' per gram than beeswax, requiring formulation adjustments when substituting one for the other.
Last Verified: 2026-03-12
Primary Sources: Cosing database,cir safety assessment