CANDELILLA CERA/CANDELILLA WAX/CIRE DE CANDELILLA ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is a plant-derived structuring wax used to harden sticks, thicken balms, raise melting point, add gloss, and form a light protective film on skin or hair.
What does CANDELILLA CERA/CANDELILLA WAX/CIRE DE CANDELILLA do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is a plant-derived structuring wax used to harden sticks, thicken balms, raise melting point, add gloss, and form a light protective film on skin or hair.
Is CANDELILLA CERA/CANDELILLA WAX/CIRE DE CANDELILLA clean?
It is generally well accepted in clean-beauty standards, with low irritation potential and no major restricted-list friction. Sensitivity is uncommon, though any waxy material can feel heavy in leave-on formulas depending on the total oil phase.
Is CANDELILLA CERA/CANDELILLA WAX/CIRE DE CANDELILLA sustainable?
This material comes from the leaves of a desert shrub, so it is renewable when harvesting is well managed. It is biodegradable over time, though its hydrophobic wax chemistry breaks down more slowly than water-soluble plant ingredients.
Is CANDELILLA CERA/CANDELILLA WAX/CIRE DE CANDELILLA COSMOS-approved?
It is permitted under COSMOS-natural and can be used in COSMOS-organic products when sourcing and processing criteria are met. Its fit with Green Chemistry is strong because it is plant-derived, minimally transformed, and used as a functional alternative to petroleum-derived structuring agents.
How does CANDELILLA CERA/CANDELILLA WAX/CIRE DE CANDELILLA work chemically?
Chemically, this material is a hard hydrophobic blend dominated by long-chain wax esters, hydrocarbons, fatty alcohols, and free fatty acids, with a typical melting range around 68 to 73 °C. It is commonly used around 1 to 5% for viscosity in emulsions and 5 to 20% in sticks or balms, and it should be melted fully into the oil phase before cooling for even structure.
Last updated 2026-05-13