Candelilla wax
Candelilla wax is a hard, yellowish-brown plant wax from the stems of the candelilla shrub (Euphorbia antisyphilitica, also called Euphorbia cerifera), which grows wild in the Chihuahuan Desert of northern Mexico and Texas. The plants are boiled in acidified water, the wax is skimmed off, and it is then filtered and refined. Cosmetic brands buy it as flakes or pellets, often as a plant-based replacement for beeswax in lip products and balms.
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Filtered and refined wax, light yellow, in flakes, pellets or slabs; the standard grade for lipsticks and balms.
Darker, less filtered wax used in industrial applications; usually not suitable for cosmetics without further refining.
Lighter-colored grades with reduced odor for products where the natural color shows.
Wild-harvested wax with organic or fair-trade certification from a few suppliers, with traceability to the harvesting communities.
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
Store candelilla wax sealed in a cool, dry place away from heat and direct sunlight. It is chemically stable and does not go rancid in normal storage. Shelf life follows the supplier's specification, with a retest of melting point and color for older stock.
Supply comes from wild harvest and depends on rainfall and harvest permits, so price and availability move between seasons. Record color, melting point and harvest origin for each lot, and check stick hardness when changing lots because candelilla behaves differently from beeswax at the same dose.
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
21 CFR 184.1976 affirms candelilla wax, obtained from the candelilla plant by immersing the plants in boiling water containing sulfuric acid, as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) as a direct human food ingredient.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)The same section lists the GRAS conditions of use as a lubricant and surface-finishing agent in chewing gum and hard candy at levels not to exceed current good manufacturing practice.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)Health Canada's Natural Health Products Ingredients Database lists candelilla wax under the proper name Euphorbia antisyphilitica, with non-medicinal purposes including emulsion stabilizer, film former and viscosity increasing agent.
Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)Health Canada's List of Permitted Glazing and Polishing Agents permits candelilla wax as a glazing agent in unstandardized confectionery at up to 4,000 ppm.
Source: canada.ca (opens in a new tab)This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
Manufacturer · Watertown, CT
Connecticut wax company that refines and supplies beeswax, plant waxes, petroleum waxes, emulsifying waxes and esters for cosmetic, pharmaceutical and industrial uses.
Distributor · Eastsound, WA
Washington State seller of cosmetic raw materials in small and bulk sizes, including actives, butters, waxes, emollients, emulsifiers and preservatives, for independent formulators and small brands.
Distributor · Redmond, WA
US supplier of cosmetic ingredients repackaged in retail and bulk sizes, covering actives, butters, oils, waxes and emulsifiers for brands, contract manufacturers and independent formulators.
Distributor · Oxford, CT
Connecticut supplier, trading as Praan Naturals, of certified organic and conventional carrier oils, butters, waxes, clays and botanicals for personal care manufacturers.
Manufacturer · West Babylon, NY
New York wax refiner that imports, refines and blends beeswax, candelilla, carnauba and petroleum waxes for cosmetic, pharmaceutical and food uses.
Suppliers are in alphabetical order and none pays to appear. Each claim is checked against the supplier’s own website on the date shown. Ask for the specification sheet and a recent COA before you order, and confirm details with the supplier.
Common forms include refined (NF / cosmetic grade), crude or semi-refined, deodorized or bleached and organic and fair-trade. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
Expect identity and melting point, acid and saponification values, color, insoluble matter and ash and heavy metals, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
Store candelilla wax sealed in a cool, dry place away from heat and direct sunlight. It is chemically stable and does not go rancid in normal storage. Shelf life follows the supplier's specification, with a retest of melting point and color for older stock.
21 CFR 184.1976 affirms candelilla wax, obtained from the candelilla plant by immersing the plants in boiling water containing sulfuric acid, as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) as a direct human food ingredient. The same section lists the GRAS conditions of use as a lubricant and surface-finishing agent in chewing gum and hard candy at levels not to exceed current good manufacturing practice. Health Canada's Natural Health Products Ingredients Database lists candelilla wax under the proper name Euphorbia antisyphilitica, with non-medicinal purposes including emulsion stabilizer, film former and viscosity increasing agent. Health Canada's List of Permitted Glazing and Polishing Agents permits candelilla wax as a glazing agent in unstandardized confectionery at up to 4,000 ppm.
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