What Is Wax Found In?

Wax is a type of pliable substance that can be found in nature as well as manufactured. It is defined by its properties of solidity and plasticity at certain temperatures. Waxes are organic compounds made up of long-chain hydrocarbons that can contain a variety of other elements (https://paraffinwaxco.com/wax/).

There are many different natural and manufactured sources of wax. Some common types include beeswax produced by honey bees, paraffin wax derived from petroleum, soy wax made from soybean oil, and carnauba wax from the leaves of a palm tree. Waxes have a wide variety of uses and can be found in candles, cosmetics, polishes, and more.

This article will provide an overview of some of the most common types of wax, their sources and uses.

Beeswax

Beeswax is a natural wax produced by honey bees. It is secreted by bees from their abdomen and is used by bees to build the walls of the honeycombs in their hives. Beeswax has a myriad of applications and uses for humans.

Some key properties of beeswax include:

• It has a low melting point range of 62 to 64 °C
• It is malleable when warm and hard when cool
• It is hydrophobic, meaning it repels water
• It has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties

Beeswax has been used by humans dating back to ancient Egypt. Some common uses and applications include:

• Candle making – It is commonly used as the wax in candles and as a fire starter
• Cosmetics – It is used in products like lip balm, creams, and lotions
• Polishing and lubrication – It can be used to lubricate tools and furniture
• Chewing gum – It was originally used as the base for chewing gum
• Artists’ materials – It can be used as a binding agent for paints and crayons

Beeswax is produced naturally by honey bees. Worker bees consume honey and secrete wax from wax glands on their abdomen. The wax is used to build the familiar hexagonal cells of honeycomb. The beeswax is harvested by beekeepers along with the honey. It is collected by melting and filtering the honeycomb (https://superbee.me/beeswax/).

Paraffin Wax

Paraffin wax is derived from petroleum refining. It is obtained through the dewaxing process of light petroleum lubricating oil stocks (Source). Paraffin wax is composed of straight-chain hydrocarbons ranging from C20 to C40.

Some key properties of paraffin wax include its melting point, which ranges from 46–68°C depending on the hydrocarbon chain lengths. It is also odorless and tasteless. Paraffin wax exhibits thermo-plastic behavior, meaning it melts upon heating and solidifies when cooled, making it useful for candle making.

Common applications of paraffin wax include candles, wax paper, polishes, cosmetics, electrical insulators, and food additives. It can also be used therapeutically for heat and cold treatments. The petroleum industry uses paraffin wax to make waxed cardboard boxes and for lubricating oil rigs because of its high resistance to most acids and alkalis. Overall, paraffin wax is valued for its malleability and ability to lock in moisture (Source).

Soy Wax

Soy wax is a vegetable-based wax made from soybeans. After harvesting, the soybeans are cleaned, cracked, de-hulled, and pressed to extract the oil. The oil then goes through hydrogenation, a process that boosts the oil’s melting point to turn it into a solid wax suitable for candle making (What EXACTLY is Soy Wax).

Compared to paraffin wax, soy wax has some notable benefits. It’s made from a renewable resource and is biodegradable and environmentally friendly. Soy wax burns cleaner than paraffin with less soot and smoke (Benefits of Soy Wax Candles). The natural molecular structure also makes soy wax hold fragrance oils better. Soy candles typically have excellent hot and cold scent throw.

Soy wax has a low melting point between 115-135°F, making it a good choice for container candles. It’s softer than paraffin, so soy wax container candles give a smooth wax pool while burning. Soy wax comes in different varieties optimized for pillars, votives, etc. It’s commonly blended with paraffin or other waxes to modify the properties.

Overall, soy wax is valued in candle making for its renewable and biodegradable nature, cleaner burn, and fragrance retention. Its natural softness makes it a popular choice for container candles rather than freestanding pillars.

Palm Wax

Palm wax is made from the oils of palm trees and has become popular for candle making in recent years. It has some key benefits over other types of waxes:

Palm wax has a high melting point between 130-145°F, which allows candles made from it to retain their shape in warmer environments (1). It also makes palm wax candles less prone to frosting or sweating compared to paraffin or soy waxes.

In addition, palm wax burns cleanly and emits minimal smoke. The scent throw is strong with palm wax, making it a good choice for scented candles. It’s also reported to be hypoallergenic and contains no petroleum (2).

However, there are sustainability concerns around palm wax. Rainforests are often cleared to make way for palm plantations, destroying habitats and harming biodiversity (3). Many avoid palm wax for this reason. There are efforts to make palm production more sustainable through certification programs.

Overall, palm wax has excellent technical properties for candles, but its environmental impacts must be carefully considered.

Sources:

(1) https://www.cargill.com/bioindustrial/naturewax/palm-vegetable-oil

(2) https://letsmakecandles.com/info/palm-wax/

(3) https://www.candlescience.com/learning/the-problem-with-palm-wax/

Carnauba Wax

Carnauba wax comes from the leaves of the Brazilian palm tree Copernicia prunifera. It is one of the hardest natural waxes with a high melting point around 85°C. The wax is extracted by beating the palm fronds to loosen it, then refining and bleaching the wax

Carnauba wax has many useful properties that make it valuable for commercial and industrial applications. It is hypoallergenic, emollient, and non-toxic. Carnauba wax provides a hard, protective coating and high gloss shine. It also helps stabilize and harden other waxes when blended. Due to its hardness, carnauba wax is often used in automobile waxes, furniture polishes, dental floss, and as a thickening agent in cosmetics. It can produce a water-repellant coating on surfaces. Carnauba wax is also used to make vegan candies and gummy bears.

Carnauba wax is renewable and biodegradable because it comes from the fronds of the carnauba palm. The palms are not harmed during harvesting of the wax. Brazil produces and exports the majority of the world’s carnauba wax.

Candelilla Wax

Candelilla wax is a plant-based wax derived from the leaves of the candelilla shrub native to northern Mexico and the southwestern United States (Blended Waxes, 2018). It has a high melting point of 68-73°C and is hard and brittle at room temperature (New Directions Aromatics). Some key properties and uses of candelilla wax include:

Candelilla wax is composed primarily of hydrocarbons with smaller amounts of esters, free acids, alcohols, and resins. It has a low viscosity when melted which makes it useful as a binder and emulsifier in lotions, creams, and other cosmetic products. Candelilla wax helps control the consistency and texture of products without making them too hard (New Directions Aromatics).

Due to its hardness, candelilla wax is often used to harden softer waxes like beeswax. It is an excellent vegan alternative to beeswax. Candelilla wax provides protective coating and moisturizing effects when used in lip balms, lotions, and salves (Blended Waxes, 2018).

Candelilla wax has excellent film-forming properties making it useful as a coating for fruits and vegetables. It can provide gloss and sheen to candy coatings and chewing gums. It is also used to make polishing waxes due to its lubricating effects (ScienceDirect).

Overall, candelilla wax is valued for its hard and brittle texture, high melting point, lubricating and moisturizing properties. It serves as a plant-based alternative to animal-derived waxes in cosmetics, food products, and polishing waxes.

Lanolin Wax

Lanolin wax, also known as wool wax or wool grease, is a waxy substance derived from sheep’s wool. Lanolin is produced in the sebaceous glands of sheep and helps to waterproof and lubricate the wool. Once extracted from wool, lanolin goes through purification processes to remove impurities and odor, resulting in a yellow waxy solid at room temperature.

Some key properties of lanolin wax include its emollient and waterproofing abilities. When applied to skin and hair, lanolin wax acts as an occlusive agent, forming a protective barrier that locks in moisture. This makes it useful in skin and hair care products aimed at hydrating and conditioning. Lanolin is also noted for its miscibility and surfactant properties. It can mix with both oil and water-based products and help ingredients penetrate the skin.

Due to its moisturizing and nourishing qualities, lanolin wax has a variety of uses. It is commonly found in products like body lotions, lip balms, skin creams, and bath oils to soften and hydrate the skin. Lanolin is also used in hair products like conditioners and styling creams due to its ability to improve hair texture and shine. Within the cosmetics industry, lanolin works as an emollient and emulsifier in products ranging from makeup to baby care items. Lanolin wax also has pharmaceutical applications as an ointment base and lubricant.

Microcrystalline Wax

Microcrystalline wax is derived from crude oil and is considered a petroleum wax. It is de-oiled during the refining process (https://blendedwaxes.com/blog/3-facts-microcrystalline-wax/). Microcrystalline waxes are produced by de-oiling petrolatum as part of the petroleum refining process. In contrast to more familiar waxes, microcrystallines have very small crystals that are barely detectable under a microscope (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microcrystalline_wax).

Some key properties and uses of microcrystalline wax include:

• Has a higher melting point (140–200°F) than other waxes, making it useful for products that need to maintain structural integrity at higher temperatures.
• Is very flexible and pliable, allowing it to be blended with other waxes.
• Provides good lubricity, hardness, and cohesiveness.
• Used in cosmetics, polishes, and food preparation.
• Provides protective coating and increases water repellency.
• Used in lip balm, lotions, ointments, and salves.

Conclusion

Wax comes in many different forms and has a wide variety of uses. Several of the most common types include beeswax, paraffin wax, soy wax, palm wax, carnauba wax, candelilla wax, lanolin wax, and microcrystalline wax.

Beeswax is produced by honeybees and has applications in food, cosmetics, candles, and more. Paraffin wax is a petroleum byproduct useful for making candles, sealing products, and waterproofing. Soy wax comes from soybeans and is often used to make eco-friendly candles. Palm wax derives from palm trees and is added to soap and cosmetics for its hardness. Carnauba wax is obtained from palm leaves and utilized for car waxes and polishes due to its high gloss. Candelilla wax comes from a desert shrub and acts as a binder and stiffener in lip balm, lotion, and cosmetics. Lanolin wax is extracted from wool and applied topically for its emollient properties. Finally, microcrystalline wax is a refined petroleum wax with uses in cosmetics, furniture polish, and chewing gum.

In summary, various types of natural and synthetic waxes each have unique characteristics that make them useful across many industries, from beauty and personal care to food and manufacturing. When selecting a wax, considerations include properties like hardness, melting point, opacity, and emulsifying capacity.