Like beeswax, candelilla wax is totally natural. Unlike beeswax, though, it’s a plant product. Candelilla wax is made by boiling the leaves and stems of the candelilla shrub with a very low concentration of sulphuric acid. The resulting wax works great in many projects where you’d use beeswax, like making furniture polish or in cosmetics. You can even use it to make candles!
Where to find Candelilla Wax
The first place I’d check for candelilla wax is your local natural foods co-op. In case you don’t have a co-op near you, I found a few online resources for this vegan beeswax alternative:
Need Another Vegan Beeswax Alternative?
Candelilla wax isn’t the only alternative to beeswax, but it does seem to share the most properties with the stuff along with its sustainability. Here are some other beeswax alternatives I found, along with their pros and cons.
Carnuba wax is another vegan beeswax alternative. It comes from palm trees, though, which can be dicey. Because of the environmental problems with palm oil, I’m wary of palm-derived products. Soy wax is great for making candles, and some folks say you can even use soy wax in balms and butters. My only hesitation with soy is that if it’s not organic, chances are it’s genetically modified. Bayberry wax also works for candles, but from what I’ve read it has a a strong aroma. If you’re cool with that, though, it’s another good plant-based wax to look at.
I’d love to hear from vegan candle-makers and vegan bath and body crafters out there! What’s your favorite vegan beeswax alternative? {Image Credit: Creative Commons photo by PaulS}
