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Beeswax is one of the most ancient cosmetics, it has a unique composition and extraordinary biological activity. Interestingly, to this day, scientists have not been able to create its complete synthetic analogue.
Useful properties of wax for the skin
Workaholic bees build honeycombs from wax, and then they seal the finished honey with them, like sealing wax. Due to its organic origin, the wax has a very complex composition, which, like the composition of honey, varies depending on the habitat of the bees, the weather, and the quantity and quality of insect nutrition.
Since bees only need wax “for the household”, people used it in the same way – for beautiful melting candles, seals, and for sealing supplies.
What can wax give the skin?
bactericidal action. For both bees and people, wax serves as a kind of preservative, because it does not allow bacteria to grow. In folk medicine, for example, in case of inflammation of the gums, it is recommended to chew wax.
plasticity of the structure. Wax becomes soft already at 35 ˚С, and at a higher temperature it easily melts without losing its biological properties, and just as easily solidifies, taking on any shape and forming a film of any thickness. This property is used not only in cosmetics – with the help of wax, fantastic “faces” of characters in movies are often created.
Form elasticity. Warm wax can be crumpled like plasticine, creating objects of any shape and size from it, including microgranules for gommages.
Healing action. On the one hand, wax acts as a natural glue, and on the other hand, it has bactericidal properties and a rich composition that stimulates tissue regeneration.
Water resistant. Otherwise, the price would be worthless for its preservative properties. Wax does not dissolve in water, so the thin protective film formed by it protects the skin from moisture loss.
Breathability. Honey, which is sealed in wax combs, is protected from ingress of foreign components from the outside, but at the same time it can “breathe”. And the skin under cosmetics with wax – too.
Saturation biologically active substances and a rich vitamin-mineral and antioxidant composition.
Composition
Wax is a very complex substance, it consists of several hundred different elements. The concentration of most of them is negligible, but it was this “bouquet” that made this natural product miraculous. The composition of the wax includes important for the skin:
fatty acids, including omega-9;
alcohols;
carotenoids (provitamin A);
sterols and sterols;
propolis (its traces are always found in beeswax).
The use of beeswax in cosmetics
For hair
Wax has long been one of the most popular styling products. It is usually released in stick format. It is enough to collect a little product with your fingers and lightly run them through the hair to ensure the styling is reliable (and at the same time a slight lamination effect). The main thing is not to overdo it, the wax does not dissolve in water, so it will not be possible to wash it off without the help of special equipment.
For lips
Wax often serves as the basis for lipsticks. It perfectly holds its shape, and at body temperature it becomes soft. In addition to texture, its ability to “seal” small wounds and cracks and retain moisture matters.
When you see cosmetics in a stick (lipstick, corrector, deodorant), know that most likely it is based on wax.
For exfoliation
For acne
Corrector for masking local imperfections in the form of a stick is indispensable in a girl’s handbag with problem skin. Like lipstick, it usually has a wax base. It is convenient that in addition to a dense texture, wax also has bactericidal properties, that is, it prevents the development of infection, and also contains provitamin A – this antioxidant stimulates skin regeneration.
From wrinkles
Wax promotes smoothing of the skin and the formation of the thinnest film on its surface, which “patches” the hydrolipidic mantle.
For feet and hands
A dense wax with its regenerating and protective moisturizing action is widely used in revitalizing creams for hands and feet, where the skin is particularly prone to cracking and dryness. Wax allows you to create a semblance of a second skin, that is, it protects the epidermis from damage and at the same time helps it recover due to the content of provitamin A, as well as other components.
For depilation
Perhaps wax is the first epilator in the history of mankind. To this day, strips with wax applied to them are used in different countries. The sticky substance, slightly heated, sticks to the skin tightly. By tearing off the strip sharply, you will remove the hairs frozen in it. You can use ready-made strips, hot wax, cold wax – the effect and mechanism of action are the same.
What is beeswax in cosmetology
In cosmetology, wax is one of the timeless classics.
Epilation The procedure described above can be entrusted to a beautician. And with a high degree of probability to get a better result, if only because it is difficult to get to some zones on your own. In addition, professional hair removal products are usually supplemented with caring components.
Wax massage This is a relatively new type of massage. Since the wax has a warming effect, the skin under it is steamed, and the blood supply to the tissues increases. Hands do not slide over the body, but, as it were, wrinkle it, acting on the subcutaneous fat.
Paraffin therapy For this warming procedure, not beeswax is used, but paraffin, but it has the same properties: hands or feet are lowered into the heated liquid substance for literally a few seconds, then removed. In the air, paraffin, like wax, instantly solidifies, forming “gloves” or “socks”. The skin inside warms up, blood circulation improves, the hydrolipidic barrier is restored.
When paraffin “gloves” are removed (like rubber ones), the skin remains soft and tender.
Overview of products with beeswax in the composition
Corrective SOS stick for masking dark circles and skin imperfections Dermablend, Vichy reliably hides any imperfections and stays on the skin all day long. The stick is based on beeswax combined with other types of wax.
Dry skin care for babies, children and adults Lipikar Stick AP+, La Roche-Posay Instantly soothes atopic and itchy skin with a formula enriched with Madecassoside, Shea Butter and Zinc. A dense, comfortable stick structure is created by beeswax and paraffin.