Common Name(s): Candelilla wax esters,vegan plant wax esters,gloss-providing lip cosmetic wax

CAS Number: N/a

DESCRIPTION

What It Does: Structures lip products through a wax ester crystalline network providing hard stick integrity, delivers high natural gloss from the smooth ester film surface, and conditions skin from the plant-derived fatty acid ester character.

Why It's Used: Candelilla wax esters are the leading vegan beeswax alternative in prestige lip colour — the higher ester content versus carnauba provides better gloss development and more flexible crystal structure for the mechanical requirements of pressed stick application.

How It Works: Candelilla wax esters (primarily c29-c33 alkyl esters of c16-c18 fatty acids, tm ~67c) form a semi-crystalline network in lipid formulations on cooling. the ester polar groups provide pigment wetting and adhesion; the c29-c33 hydrocarbon chain irregularity prevents the brittle fracture of shorter, more uniform wax chains providing the flexible yet firm stick structure.

Typically Found In: Lip colour,mascara,vegan anhydrous products

TECHNICAL DETAILS

Primary Category: Functional ingredient – emollient

Secondary Functions: Barrier sealing,softening

Application Areas:

Typical Concentration Range: 1%–15%

SOURCING & ETHICS

Vegan Status: Conditional - supplier confirmation required

Halal Status: Unverified - supplier confirmation required

Source Notes: Plant-derived, synthetic or animal-derived. verify source. [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: 1/5 – low; formulation-dependent

Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating.

Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes

SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY

Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.

Works Well With: Humectants,ceramides,actives as carrier

Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities

SCIENTIFIC NOTE

Candelilla wax's tm 67c (vs beeswax 62c) provides better tropical stability — products designed for warm-climate markets often use candelilla as primary wax to prevent softening and deformation during distribution and retail.

Last Verified: 2026-03-12

Primary Sources: Cosing database,candelilla wax esters vegan lip structure review