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Beeswax is a mild and 100% natural ingredient that is non-irritating and non-comedogenic. It gives volume and structure to creams and lotions and has many other applications. It should be a staple in any DIY-er's cupboard.
Beeswax is a highly sought after emulsifier and humectant for cosmetic uses as it has an irritation potential of zero, making it a natural hydrating agent that can penetrate through the skin's surface without clogging pores.
White and Yellow Beeswax pellets differ in colour based on the filtration process. White Beeswax is turned white after undergoing a pressure-filtration process. Yellow Beeswax is typically processed less and therefore left in its more natural state. Read below for more information.
Yellow Beeswax
Yellow beeswax is actually the more common type of beeswax that you can find anywhere because of the very fact that it is often called the natural state of beeswax. But why is it called the natural state of beeswax? Well, if you happen to have seen honeycombs or honey, you would know that they are usually yellowish to brown in colour. Because of that, it is easy to understand why yellow beeswax is often considered the more natural type of beeswax.
However, yellow beeswax may look like it is the most natural state of beeswax but this type of beeswax has also undergone some sort of refinement and treatment as well. What happens when yellow beeswax is processed is that it undergoes heat treatment and is filtered thereafter so that the debris that may have come from its natural state is removed. Yellow beeswax is also refined to make sure that all of the impurities are removed.
Beeswax that is yellowish to golden brown in colour is usually considered high-quality beeswax because of how it means that it was refined and treated properly considering that exposing beeswax to high temperatures can actually cause it to have a brownish colour.
Yellow beeswax is ideal for different products. It can be used for cosmetics, soaps, and candles. However, it is often the top choice for candle-making because of how it allows the natural colour of the beeswax to become prominent. But you can still use it for cosmetics if you don't mind the natural colour to stand out.
White Beeswax
White beeswax is still very much natural and organic. It comes from the same type of beeswax as yellow beeswax. However, what gives white beeswax its ivory colour is that it went through a pressure-filtration process that not only filtered out the impurities and the debris but also removed its yellowish colour to give it a white appearance.
Another reason why white beeswax is white is that it went through a natural bleaching process where it is exposed to thin layers of air. As such, it has been completely refined to the point that it no longer has the natural yellowish appearance that you should see in beeswax. But that does not make it any less natural than it should be even though some people doubt whether or not white beeswax is still indeed natural (considering that they think that chemicals were used for the bleaching process).
Indeed, there is some white beeswax that might not be fully natural, especially when they were manufactured using questionable methods. That's why it is important for you to make sure that you only get your white beeswax from a reputable company or that you are using a white beeswax product that comes from a good brand.
White beeswax, due to its pure colour, is often used for cosmetics and soaps because of how manufacturers are given the leeway to add colorants to such products. And because it lacks the yellowish colour of beeswax, white beeswax is ideal for those who would want to make candles and other products that have a whitish or light tone.
Which one is better for you?
At the end of the day, determining which between yellow and white beeswax is the better product is a matter of choice and preference. It's similar to how you are deciding between brown and white sugar, as both of these products have their own strengths and weaknesses.
For those who prefer a product that is in its more natural and organic state and is purer in terms of the natural qualities and benefits it provides, yellow beeswax is the better choice for you because of how closely it is to the natural state of beeswax. You are also more assured of the purity of yellow beeswax because you wouldn't have to question how it was refined or treated.
Meanwhile, if the colour of the product is something that you really care about, white beeswax should be a better choice for you because of how it allows you a greater sense of freedom in terms of the colour of the product. White beeswax is also the better choice for cosmetics because colour now becomes a big factor here. But, if you are not too careful about where you are getting your white beeswax, you won't be assured of how natural it really is because there will be some companies that might have used chemicals to bleach the beeswax instead of using natural bleaching methods to turn it white.
In conclusion, while yellow beeswax may be purer and more natural than white beeswax because of how it is not as refined, white beeswax remains to be the more versatile of the two when it comes to product application. If you are someone who prefers purity, go with yellow beeswax. But if the colour of the product is a major concern for you and if you want more versatile beeswax, then you probably should go with white beeswax.
Natural Beeswax (cera alba) is produced naturally by honey bees of the genus Apis. The wax is formed into scales by eight wax-producing glands in the abdominal. It it fully organic and not modified in any way or mixed with any synthetic materials.
Substitute Beeswax is made by blending a mixture of natural fatty acid esters, fatty acids, and alcohols together to achieve a consistency similar to natural beeswax. It can be found in cosmetics, skin care, hair products, and even some household items. As the name implies, it's meant to be a substitute for natural beeswax, but achieves essentially the same purpose.
Since there are no actual bee components in this ingredient, there shouldn't be any danger to those who are allergic to pollen, honey, or other bee products (This can be a concern with natural beeswax.)
In short, Synthetic Beeswax is the vegan option.
