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Candelilla Wax

What Candelilla Wax is & what it does

Candelilla Wax is a plant wax obtained from the candelilla shrub, which is native to parts of Mexico and the southwestern United States. In skincare and sunscreen formulas it serves as a thickener, texture stabilizer, and film former, helping to give sticks, balms, and creams structure and a non-greasy finish. A notable property is that it is a popular plant-based alternative to beeswax, making it common in vegan-positioned products.

What does Candelilla Wax do in skincare?

Candelilla Wax is a plant wax used in skincare and sunscreen as a thickener, structure builder, and film former. It helps give sticks, balms, and creams body and a non-greasy finish. It is especially common in solid and stick-format products where a firm texture is needed.

Is Candelilla Wax vegan?

Candelilla Wax is plant-derived, obtained from the candelilla shrub, so it is considered vegan-friendly. It is a popular plant-based alternative to beeswax, which is why it often appears in vegan-positioned products. The wax itself is not of animal origin.

Is Candelilla Wax natural or synthetic?

Candelilla Wax is a natural ingredient, harvested from the candelilla shrub native to parts of Mexico and the southwestern United States. It is a botanical wax rather than a synthetic material. Some processing is used to refine it, but its origin is plant-based.

Sunscreens with Candelilla Wax

We rate 49 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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