Do you have a DIY skincare recipe that calls for beeswax or candelilla wax? Or are you looking for a vegan alternative to beeswax? Well we stock both beeswax and candelilla wax at Biome, both of which are fantastic in their own right. Refer to our quick guide below to help you pick the right wax for you.
Originally published September 2022. Last updated July 2025.
| Beeswax | Candelilla Wax | |
|---|---|---|
| Suitable for DIY skincare | Yes | Yes |
| Suitable for vegans | No | Yes |
| Melting point | 62-64 °C | 68.5-72.5 °C |
| Fragrance | Light honey scent | No |
| Emollient | Yes | Yes |
| Humectant | Yes - superior | Yes |
| Emulsifier | Yes | Yes |
| Hypoallergenic | Avoid if allergic to pollen/honey | Yes |
| Bead form | Yes | Yes |
About Beeswax
Beeswax is an excellent DIY skincare ingredient for many reasons.
- Rich in vitamin A, which promotes cell regeneration and improves hydration
- Acts as an astringent, emulsifier, and stabiliser.
- Often found in DIY skincare recipes that include oils that are liquid at room temperature, or have a low melting point, like coconut oil. Beeswax helps to thicken and emulsify DIY skincare recipes because it is solid at room temperature, and has a relatively high melting point.
- Fantastic humectant, meaning it attracts moisture to your skin.
- Creates a barrier on the skin, sealing moisture in (making it particularly beneficial in lip balms). Unlike petroleum jelly though, it does not suffocate the skin, but rather allows it to breath. This barrier also helps to protect the skin from environmental toxins and irritants.
Biome's beeswax beads are pure, twice filtered and not bleached. Packaged in a reusable glass jar with a steel screw top lid.
About Candelilla Wax
Candelilla wax is a plant based wax and a suitable vegan alternative to beeswax. It makes an excellent DIY skincare ingredient in its own right.
- Like beeswax, this unique wax has quite a high melting point, and acts as a stabiliser and emulsifier in balms, creams, salves and lotions.
- Skin conditioning, easily absorbed, odourless, and rich in nutrients.
- Provides a wonderful gloss and lubricity to lip balms.
- Candelilla wax is a bit denser than beeswax, so you will have to adjust your DIY skincare recipes if you are substituting it for beeswax. It is recommended that you use half the amount of candelilla wax as beeswax since it has twice the stiffening powers. So if a recipe calls for 1 cup of beeswax, use 1/2 cup of candelilla wax instead.
Our candelilla wax beads are derived from the leaves of the small candelilla shrub native to northern Mexico and the southwestern United States. It is 100% natural and refined (filtered twice), and packaged in a reusable glass jar with steel screw top lid.
You may have heard about beeswax food wraps to replace plastic cling wrap in the kitchen. Well we now stock vegan plant wax food wraps too! These amazing vegan food wraps are made from cotton, candelilla wax, tree resin and jojoba oil. No more plastic cling wrap required!
Discover Biome's Naked Beauty Bar
Looking to simplify, reduce waste and know exactly what you are putting on your skin? At Biome's Naked Beauty Bar, you will find all of the beautiful DIY ingredients you need to make your own natural and organic skin care and cleaning products. Selected ingredients are available in convenient reusable glass jars, and in bulk in our Brisbane, and Melbourne stores. Find all our DIY skin care and cleaning recipes here.
Related reading
What's the Difference Between Beeswax and Vegan Wraps and Which One Works Best?
Recipe for How to Make Beeswax Wraps
What to Use Instead of Plastic Cling Wrap
