A natural product used for millennia in cosmetics, beeswax is back in the spotlight. Promoted by the return to naturalness movement, it is now also used in homemade cosmetics. Where to buy and how to best use beeswax?

Beeswax composition

Beehive products have thousands of benefits. We already know this of course with honey, which softens and heals winter ailments. Just like with pollen and royal jelly. These natural products are concentrates of powerful active ingredients which have found their place in herbal medicine.

Among them, there is also beeswax. Even if it is edible, instead of ingesting it, like other substances, it is more useful for healing from the outside. Whether it’s our skin or even our hair.

This wax comes directly from the bee which produces it thanks to its eight wax glands located under its abdomen. Each of them lets out small, light scales of wax. These are used first to build the well-known and fascinating hexagonal honeycombs that collect the honey.

Beeswax is thus made of more than 300 components, the nature of which differs depending on the species. It may seem surprising, but beeswax contains around 14% saturated hydrocarbons, which are perfectly natural, as well as a great many esters which are organic compounds. And finally, very interesting fatty acids.

Beeswax nourishes and protects

Its fatty acids help nourish the skin and make it more supple. Thus beeswax, both moisturizing and emollient, also has the ability to leave a protective film. All this gives it a strong power to make the skin more elastic and softer.

Lip balms, for example, which are made from beeswax and other quality ingredients, are very effective in nourishing them sustainably and protecting them from the cold.

In winter, beeswax is also particularly recommended for dry skin. As well as for mature skin that needs more elasticity.

Beeswax present in cosmetic products is indicated on the label with its scientific name: wax dawn.

It is also quite possible to make cosmetics yourself with beeswax. With the help of a few tools and the main ingredient, you can make your own lip balm or hand cream.

Where to buy beeswax?

You can of course buy your beeswax easily on the internet now. However, in pharmacies in particular, you will be advised. If possible, opt instead for waxes from organic beehives.

Likewise, check the wax extraction conditions. The good practices are those which use the wax of the cells used at the end of the season and not with the young bees.

On the market, wax is in the form of lozenges. You can also find yellow wax and white wax. No fundamental difference between the two. The yellow is completely natural, while the white will have been purified to be used in makeup in particular. Or for other purposes, like making candles.

Homemade lip balm

To make your own beeswax lip balm yourself, it’s very simple. You’ll need :

• 1 small jar with screw closure or airtight
• 5 g of beeswax
• 5 g of cocoa butter
• 10 g of vegetable oil (sweet almond or jojoba)

Melt the ingredients together gently in a double boiler, mix well. Pour into the pot and let cool until it sets.

This homemade lip balm lasts as long as a commercial balm, or 10 to 12 months.

Homemade hand cream

A hand cream requires a few more ingredients. You will need:

• 10 g of beeswax
• 5 drops of lavender essential oil to heal
• 40 g jojoba oil
• 30 g of sweet almond oil
• A teaspoon of chamomile floral water for skin balance

Slowly melt the oils in a double boiler with beeswax. Mix the other ingredients separately and add to the first mixture when it has cooled.

The skin is not the only one that can benefit from the virtues of beeswax, the hair can also benefit from its nourishing power.

It will be particularly effective, melted and mixed with shea butter, for the care of frizzy hair. Very dry, they indeed need a mask of regular intense care. Beeswax, added to a nourishing fat, is ideal for this.