INCI Name Euphorbia Cerifera Cera
CAS Number 8006-44-8
Candelilla Cera, or Candelilla Wax, is a natural, plant-based ingredient valued in cosmetics for its stabilizing and thickening properties. It enhances texture, acts as an emollient to hydrate skin, and forms a protective barrier to lock in moisture. Commonly used in lipsticks, balms, and creams, it’s also favored for being vegan and cruelty-free, making it a popular choice in eco-conscious beauty products.
Origin
Candelilla Cera is derive from the leaves of the Candelilla plant (Euphorbia cerifera), native to northern Mexico and the southwestern U.S. The harvested leaves are dry, milled to extract the wax, then purified through filtration and bleaching to remove impurities and refine its quality.
Purpose
Candelilla Cera is a multifunctional ingredient that softens, hydrates, and protects the skin, conditions hair, locks in moisture, and stabilizes cosmetic formulations.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | Candelilla Cera (Candelilla Wax) |
| Type | Natural plant-based wax |
| Source | Leaves and stems of Euphorbia cerifera (Mexico, USA) |
| pH | Neutral |
| Color | Pale yellow to light brown |
| Odor | Mild, characteristic |
| Physical State | Brittle solid, flakes, or pellets |
| Solubility | Insoluble in water; soluble in oils and esters |
| Concentration | 1% – 20% (typical cosmetic use) |
| Boiling Point | >240°C |
| Shelf Life | 24–36 months (cool, dry, dark storage |
Plant-Based and Vegan-Friendly Composition
Candelilla Cera is entirely derive from the Candelilla plant (Euphorbia cerifera), making it a plant-based alternative to animal-derived waxes like beeswax. This quality is particularly valuable in today’s growing demand for vegan, cruelty-free, and environmentally responsible cosmetic formulations. Its natural origin makes it a preferred choice for brands committed to ethical sourcing and sustainable practices.
Lightweight, Non-Greasy Emollient Action
One of Candelilla Cera’s distinctive features is its ability to soften and condition the skin without leaving a heavy or greasy feel. It forms a light, breathable layer over the skin’s surface, effectively locking in moisture while maintaining a comfortable, non-occlusive texture. This makes it ideal for use in products like lip balms, lotions, and body butters where a silky-smooth finish is desired without excess oiliness.
Excellent Film-Forming and Protective Barrier
Candelilla Wax creates a thin, cohesive, and flexible film when applied to the skin or hair. This protective barrier shields the skin from external environmental aggressors like wind, pollutants, and dehydration while retaining internal moisture. The film is lightweight, non-comedogenic, and provides a smooth, even application in various formulations, enhancing product performance and wearability.
Superior Stabilizing and Thickening Properties
Its natural ability to thicken and stabilize emulsions and anhydrous formulations is another standout feature. Candelilla Cera imparts firmness and consistency to products, preventing separation and maintaining product structure over time. It helps create smooth, uniform textures in lipsticks, creams, solid perfumes, and hair waxes, ensuring product integrity during storage and application.
Enhances Gloss and Shine
Unlike many plant-based waxes, Candelilla Cera naturally imparts a subtle, appealing sheen to finished products. It is commonly use in lip care and hair styling formulations to enhance gloss without stickiness. This natural gloss-enhancing effect makes it particularly valuable for formulating lipsticks, lip balms, and pomades that require both structure and shine.
Highly Stable and Oxidation-Resistant
Candelilla Cera boasts a chemically stable composition, making it resistant to oxidation, rancidity, and degradation. This stability extends the shelf life of both the raw material and the final cosmetic formulations. It is less prone to spoilage when compared to some natural oils and butters, maintaining its functional and aesthetic qualities over extended periods.
Non-Comedogenic and Skin-Friendly
Thanks to its lightweight nature and breathable film-forming ability, Candelilla Cera is non-comedogenic, meaning it does not clog pores or contribute to breakouts. Candelilla Wax is well-tolerate by sensitive, acne-prone, or dry skin types, making it a versatile option for a wide range of personal care and beauty products.
Moisture Retention and Humectant Support
While not a humectant itself, Candelilla Cera works synergistically with humectants and moisturizers by sealing in the hydration they attract to the skin. This moisture retention property strengthens the skin’s barrier function and keeps it soft and supple for longer, reducing transepidermal water loss (TEWL).
Natural Origin and Minimal Processing
The wax is harvested and refined using relatively gentle, eco-friendly processes. After the leaves of the Candelilla plant are collected, the wax is extracted, purified, and filtered to remove impurities, often without harsh chemicals. This makes it a more sustainable and less processed option compared to synthetic alternatives.
Compatibility with a Wide Range of Cosmetic Ingredients
Candelilla Cera blends well with a variety of oils, butters, esters, and waxes, making it a versatile ingredient in cosmetic formulations. It enhances the texture and performance of other components, improving spreadability, stability, and appearance in diverse product types.
Long Shelf Life and Storage Stability
Due to its resistant structure and minimal susceptibility to rancidity, Candelilla Cera offers a shelf life of approximately 24 to 36 months. It retains its texture, color, and functional properties under proper storage conditions, providing formulators with a reliable, long-lasting ingredient that requires minimal preservation efforts.
Applications of Candelilla Cera in Skincare
Lip Care Products
Candelilla Cera is extensively used in lip balms, lipsticks, lip glosses, and lip masks due to its emollient, thickening, and gloss-enhancing properties. It imparts firmness and structure to solid and semi-solid lip formulations while forming a smooth, protective barrier over the lips to prevent moisture loss and shield against environmental factors. Its natural gloss-boosting effect makes lips appear soft, hydrated, and subtly luminous without a sticky finish.
Moisturizing Creams and Body Butters
In moisturizing creams, body butters, and balms, Candelilla Cera acts as a stabilizer and consistency enhancer. It thickens formulations, improving texture and providing a rich, velvety skin feel. Additionally, it creates a lightweight film on the skin’s surface, locking in hydration while allowing the skin to breathe. Its non-comedogenic nature makes it suitable for dry, sensitive, and acne-prone skin types.
Solid Perfumes and Deodorants
Candelilla Cera serves as a structuring agent in solid perfumes and natural deodorants, contributing to their firmness and smooth application. It allows these products to glide easily on the skin while providing a stable base that holds essential oils and actives without melting or separating under moderate temperatures.
Barrier Creams and Protective Ointments
Thanks to its film-forming properties, Candelilla Cera is ideal for barrier creams and ointments designed to protect the skin from harsh weather, irritants, or frequent washing. It forms a breathable, semi-occlusive layer that minimizes moisture loss while shielding the skin from external aggressors like wind, pollutants, and chemicals.
Hand and Foot Creams
Candelilla Cera adds a protective, moisturizing element to hand and foot care formulations. It reinforces the skin’s natural barrier, improving skin resilience against dryness, cracking, and irritation. Its light film leaves a smooth, satin-like finish without a greasy or sticky residue.
Face Masks and Overnight Treatments
In rinse-off and leave-on masks, as well as overnight skin treatments, Candelilla Cera acts as a sealing agent that traps moisture and enhances product adherence. This helps active ingredients remain in contact with the skin for longer periods, promoting improved hydration and nourishment while the skin rests.
Natural and Vegan Skincare Ranges
Candelilla Cera’s plant-based, vegan, and cruelty-free credentials make it a staple in clean beauty and ethical skincare formulations. It provides essential structure, texture, and protective benefits without relying on animal-derived ingredients, making it ideal for brands targeting eco-conscious and vegan consumers.
Anti-Aging and Hydrating Serums
While traditionally less common in serums, Candelilla Cera is increasingly used in rich, emulsion-based anti-aging and hydrating serums for its moisture-locking properties. It stabilizes these formulations and enhances skin feel by delivering a silky, nourishing finish that complements the action of humectants like hyaluronic acid and glycerin.
Exfoliating Balms and Scrubs
In exfoliating products like sugar scrubs or enzyme balms, Candelilla Cera helps bind ingredients together while providing a cushiony texture that prevents skin irritation during exfoliation. It leaves behind a soft, moisturized barrier post-rinse, ensuring the skin remains hydrated after dead skin cells are removed.
