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Microcrystalline Wax

What Microcrystalline Wax is & what it does

A fine petroleum-derived wax used to thicken, bind, and add a smooth, flexible structure to balms and sticks. It also adds a light protective film.

What is Microcrystalline Wax and what does it do in sunscreen?

Microcrystalline Wax is a fine petroleum-derived wax used to thicken, bind, and give structure to a formula. In sunscreen sticks and balms it holds the product together in a solid, flexible form and adds a light protective film on the skin. It is a structural and texture ingredient rather than an active that protects against UV.

Is Microcrystalline Wax safe?

Yes. It is a highly refined, inert wax that sits on the surface of the skin and is widely used in cosmetics, including lip and stick products. It is well tolerated and not known to be irritating or sensitizing for most people. Its job is purely physical, to bind and structure the formula.

Does Microcrystalline Wax clog pores?

Generally no. Although it is a wax, microcrystalline wax is refined and largely inert, and it is not considered one of the classic pore-clogging ingredients. Very acne-prone skin can sometimes prefer to avoid rich balms and sticks in general, but the wax itself is not a notable comedogenic flag. The overall richness of a stick or balm matters more than this single ingredient.

Is Microcrystalline Wax natural or synthetic?

It is petroleum-derived, so it is not a plant or animal wax like beeswax or candelilla. It is refined from crude oil into a fine, flexible wax with smaller crystals than paraffin, which is where the name comes from. Being mineral-derived, it is vegan, but it is not considered a natural botanical wax.

What else is Microcrystalline Wax called?

On a label it appears under its INCI name, Microcrystalline Wax, sometimes alongside the older term Cera Microcristallina. It is closely related to paraffin but has finer crystals, which makes it more flexible and better at binding oils. You will usually see it in stick and balm formulas where solid structure is needed.

Sunscreens with Microcrystalline Wax

We rate 118 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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