Black: Microcrystalline Wax / Cera Microcristallina / Cire Microcristalline ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is primarily a structuring and thickening agent, adding hardness, slip, and payoff control in sticks, balms, creams, and color cosmetics. It also helps bind oils and pigments while forming a water-resistant film on skin or hair.
What does Black: Microcrystalline Wax / Cera Microcristallina / Cire Microcristalline do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is primarily a structuring and thickening agent, adding hardness, slip, and payoff control in sticks, balms, creams, and color cosmetics. It also helps bind oils and pigments while forming a water-resistant film on skin or hair.
Is Black: Microcrystalline Wax / Cera Microcristallina / Cire Microcristalline clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, this ingredient is often flagged for fossil-derived origin and possible trace PAH concerns if refinement quality is not well documented. Cosmetic grades are highly refined and generally low-irritation, but some clean standards and retailer lists restrict petroleum-derived occlusive solids.
Is Black: Microcrystalline Wax / Cera Microcristallina / Cire Microcristalline sustainable?
This material is derived from petroleum refining, so it is not a renewable feedstock. It is not readily biodegradable and can persist in the environment compared with plant-derived structuring materials.
Is Black: Microcrystalline Wax / Cera Microcristallina / Cire Microcristalline COSMOS-approved?
This ingredient is not permitted under COSMOS-natural or COSMOS-organic standards because it is a petrochemical-derived material. Its Green Chemistry alignment is limited by nonrenewable sourcing and poor biodegradability, despite its stability and low reactivity in formulas.
How does Black: Microcrystalline Wax / Cera Microcristallina / Cire Microcristalline work chemically?
The molecule profile is a complex blend of high-molecular-weight saturated hydrocarbons, especially branched and cyclic chains, which gives it a higher oil-binding capacity and finer crystal structure than many simpler solid hydrocarbons. It is typically used around 1 to 20% depending on whether the formula needs light viscosity, payoff control, or a firm stick structure, and it is stable across normal cosmetic pH because it is essentially nonionic and water-insoluble.
Last updated 2026-05-14