Bees Wax

Nong, Yvonne, et al. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023, 22(8), 2166-2173.

Beeswax has various applications in skincare, including protecting the skin barrier, treating dermatitis and psoriasis, and aiding in burn healing.
· It forms a protective film on the skin's surface, effectively shielding against external irritants and contributing to skin barrier integrity. Studies have shown that beeswax-containing formulations can improve skin condition, reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and enhance skin barrier function, thus benefiting individuals with irritant contact dermatitis and maintaining healthy skin.
· In dermatitis and psoriasis treatment, beeswax, often combined with natural ingredients like honey and olive oil, has demonstrated efficacy in improving symptoms and reducing the need for corticosteroids. Moreover, beeswax has been found to aid in wound healing, especially in burns, by promoting wound contraction, neovascularization, and tissue regeneration. It can enhance epithelization initiation time, decrease pain scores, and shorten hospitalization duration, offering relief from postburn symptoms like pruritus.
· Furthermore, beeswax is extensively used in cosmetics as a thickener and emulsifier, contributing to the physical properties of various skincare products. It is nonirritating, has low comedogenic potential, and possesses antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. While allergic reactions to beeswax are rare, they may occur due to contamination with other substances like propolis or resins.

Kasparaviciene, Giedre, et al. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2016, 1, 3816460.

The lipstick formulation was optimized using a central composite design, and its components included mixed oil, beeswax, and cocoa butter.After testing multiple combinations, the mixture of sea buckthorn oil and grape seed oil with a ratio of 13.96:6.18 was found to have the greatest antioxidant activity at 70±0.84%. Therefore, this blend was chosen as the optimal formulation for the mixed oil. The optimal ingredient ratio of lipstick was: 57.67% mixed oil, 19.58% beeswax, and 22.75% cocoa butter.
Lipstick preparation procedure and the influence of ingredients
· Beeswax was incorporated into a mixture of oils that was preheated to 60-67°C and heated until fully melted. Cocoa butter was then added to the mixture and melted as well. Following this, a preservative, essential oil of thyme, was included in the lipstick base mixture and allowed to cool to 50°C. Once cooled, all the ingredients were thoroughly blended and poured into clean and lubricated moulds.
· The study showed that the hardness of lipstick depends on the amount of beeswax, and the spreadability depends on the amount of cocoa butter. Increasing the amount of beeswax can increase the melting point value and reduce the penetration depth value. Natural oils with high anti-free radical activity can provide bioactivity for lipstick.