Beeswax

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What is Beeswax?

When beekeepers discard honeycombs every couple of years, as is good practice, the discarded combs get melted into beeswax. Beeswax is non-allergenic, anti-inflammatory, and known to have antimicrobial properties. While some hail it as the holy grail in cosmetics, there are some ethical concerns.

Want a hot take? As the demand for beeswax in the cosmetics industry increases, so does the number of honeybees harmed during the wax collection process. We think it's best to buy from local beekeepers since they can generally provide better care for the bees.

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Is Beeswax “good”?

Beeswax is renewable, but only as fast as bees can work to create more. And this is where problems can occur… To meet production needs, commercial hives have cropped up, which can directly harm wild honeybees. These critical pollinators keep plants healthy and promote biodiversity, which we all need to survive. Moral of the story? We all want to keep bees happy, but commercial bees are introducing parasites and diseases to their wild counterparts, which are significantly decreasing wild bee populations.

What kind of products are made with Beeswax?

Beeswax is a natural occlusive, which helps seal moisture into skin. It’s a common alternative to petroleum jelly, especially in products like hand lotion, lip balm, and diaper rash cream. Beeswax is also the oldest known raw material for candles since they can burn longer than their paraffin brethren and don’t require additional fragrance.

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Are there certifications I should look out for?

Beeswax can be USDA-certified organic, which means that it was grown and processed according to federal guidelines that address soil quality, animal raising practices, pest and weed control, and use of additives. Bees are an all-powerful pollinator that keep our food systems in action, so shoot for beeswax products that have a Certified Organic seal of approval to help protect our buzzing buddies.

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Still want to learn more? Check out some of our favorite references:

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