Microcrystalline Wax/Cera Microcristallina/Cire Microcrystalline ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is primarily a structuring and thickening agent for balms, sticks, ointments, and anhydrous color cosmetics. It increases hardness, slip, pay-off control, and water resistance by forming an occlusive, flexible film.
What does Microcrystalline Wax/Cera Microcristallina/Cire Microcrystalline do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is primarily a structuring and thickening agent for balms, sticks, ointments, and anhydrous color cosmetics. It increases hardness, slip, pay-off control, and water resistance by forming an occlusive, flexible film.
Is Microcrystalline Wax/Cera Microcristallina/Cire Microcrystalline clean?
From a clean-beauty perspective, this ingredient is often flagged because it is petroleum-derived and may appear on restricted lists that exclude mineral-oil-family materials. It is generally low-irritation when well refined, with quality control focused on residual aromatic impurities.
Is Microcrystalline Wax/Cera Microcristallina/Cire Microcrystalline sustainable?
This material is sourced from petroleum refining rather than renewable feedstocks. It is highly stable and not readily biodegradable, so its sustainability profile is weaker than plant-derived, readily degradable structuring lipids.
Is Microcrystalline Wax/Cera Microcristallina/Cire Microcrystalline COSMOS-approved?
It is not permitted in COSMOS-natural or COSMOS-organic products because of its petrochemical origin. Green Chemistry alignment is limited, since the feedstock is nonrenewable and biodegradability is low, although the material is chemically inert in finished formulas.
How does Microcrystalline Wax/Cera Microcristallina/Cire Microcrystalline work chemically?
This compound is a solid, high-molecular-weight mixture of branched and cyclic saturated hydrocarbons with a fine crystalline structure that gives flexibility and oil-binding capacity. It is commonly used in anhydrous systems at low single digits for viscosity adjustment and at higher levels in sticks or balms, with strong heat stability and little oxidation under normal cosmetic storage.
Last updated 2026-05-13