INCI name

Cera Alba

Also listed as: Beeswax, white beeswax

Cera alba is beeswax. Bees build it into comb. In cosmetics it hardens balms, lipsticks and creams and helps hold oils and water together. Cera flava is yellow, less-bleached beeswax and has its own INCI name.

Beeswax is an animal-derived ingredient. It is not vegan. Some beeswax is bleached or filtered to a pale colour; that does not change the INCI name cera alba.

Where it turns up

Lipsticks, lip balms, solid lotions, mustache waxes and some creams.

Sensitivities

Usually well tolerated. People with a known bee-product allergy should be cautious.

Vegan or animal-derived

Not vegan. It is made by honeybees.

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