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Cera Alba

Our database includes 1,138 products that contain Cera Alba.

Explained

Cera alba is beeswax, or the wax used by bees to make honeycombs. It is a texture-enhancer and emollient. A study from 2003 found beeswax to be a stronger emollient than ingredients such as petroleum jelly.

As an emollient, beeswax helps hydrate the skin by creating a barrier on top. This barrier traps moisture in.

Emulsifiers help prevent ingredients from separating. This helps create consistent texture.

The structure of beeswax is mainly long-chain alcohols and the esters of fatty acids.

There are three types of beeswax: yellow, white, and absolute. Yellow is pure beeswax taken from the honeycomb. White beeswax is created by filtering or bleaching yellow beeswax. Absolute beeswax is created by treating beeswax with alcohol. Beeswax used in cosmetics are purified.

Beeswax has been used throughout history and even in prehistoric times. Some common uses for beeswax still used today are making candles, as a waterproofing agent, and polish for leather.

You should know

Concerns

Fungal Acne
Community Rating
Disliked

What it does

Emollient Having the quality of softening or soothing the skin.
Emulsifying The act of emulsion: a suspension of small globules of one liquid in a second liquid with which the first will not mix

Prevalence

Uncommon Percentage of products that contain it
1.7%
Top categories
Lip Care
Makeup
Moisturizers
Position Predominant list placement
Top 25%

References

CosIng Data

CosIng ID 32492
INCI Name CERA ALBA
EC #  232-383-7
Ph. Eur. Name cera alba / cera flava
All Functions Emollient, Emulsifying, Film Forming, Perfuming