Candelilla wax is a plant-based wax derived from the stems of the Candelilla shrub (Euphorbia cerifera). This remarkable wax has been utilized for centuries due to its unique properties and versatility. Its name, which translates to “little candle,” is a tribute to its history as it was first used to make candles.
Harvesting and Production
Candelilla plants are essentially leafless shrubs that grow in bush-like clusters of slender stems. Candelilla wax is an epidermal secretion of the plant that coats the stems and helps to retain moisture during periods of severe heat and drought. It basically acts as the plant’s defense mechanism against the harsh weather conditions of its natural habitat.
The candelilla plant is native to and grows only in the Chihuahuan Desert, which is located in parts of northern Mexico and the southwestern United States. As the price of candelilla wax was originally very low, harvesting and processing activities in the USA ceased in the 1960s and are nowadays only carried out in Mexico. Due to its limited geographical growth, the candelilla plant is protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This ensures that its harvesting is sustainable and does not threaten the species’ survival. Candelilla plants reproduce vegetatively from their roots, which gives them an important advantage after harvesting: they regenerate within a few years.
Candelilla wax is mostly harvested and produced by small family businesses, known as “candelilleros”. The wild-growing candelilla plants are cut and left to dry in the sun. After being transported to processing sites, the dried plants are boiled in hot water, allowing the wax to rise to the surface and be skimmed off. This crude wax is processed into standard or high-quality candelilla wax through further refining processes.
Properties and Applications
Candelilla wax has a melting range of 68-73 °C and a good oil binding capacity, creates very hard oleogels and is easy to work with. Like all plant waxes, candelilla wax is a complex mixture of fatty components and hydrophobic organic substances. It consists mainly of hydrocarbons (35-50 %), wax, resin, and sitosteroyl esters (20-30 %), lactones, free wax and resin acids and alcohols. Due to its resin content, candelilla wax is very adhesive. Generally, it is more brittle than beeswax and less hard than carnauba wax. It can be used in a wide range of applications from cosmetics and food to pharmaceutical and industrial products.
In cosmetics applications, candelilla wax serves as a key ingredient to provide texture, stability, and gloss to formulations. As it is the wax with the highest shrinkage / contraction capacity, its use facilitates demolding from metal molds. It is traditionally used to harden stick formulations and other hot poured products, as it increases the viscosity of the oil components and thus provides structure. It also improves stability as well as the breakage and heat resistance. Due to those properties, it is commonly used in decorative cosmetics such as lipsticks, cosmetics pencils, and mascara. Its texturizing property as well as its ability to form a protective barrier on the skin also makes it a valuable ingredient in lip balms.
In addition to its use in cosmetics, candelilla wax can also be used as a food additive (E902) where it is Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) by the FDA. It is used as a glazing and coating agent for candies and confectionery, providing a glossy surface and preventing sticking and clumping. It is also used to improve the consistency of chewing gum and in coatings for food packaging.
It is used in the pharmaceutical industry as lubricant in tablet manufacturing, as a glazing agent and as a binder. Furthermore, it is utilized in various industrial applications, such as printing & inks, paints, polishes and more.
In conclusion, candelilla wax is an exceptional and versatile natural resource due to its distinctive properties. Its applications span a wide range of industries, from cosmetics, where it enhances texture, stability, and gloss, to the food industry as a glazing agent, and even in pharmaceuticals and industrial products.
We offer candelilla wax as well as substitutes. For more information visit our products page.