Beeswax : Here is Why it is Great for the Skin
- by
- Squeezie
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- July 09, 2016
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Carefully crafted by young worker bees into six-sided honeycomb cells, beeswax provides tiny storage units for honey until the beekeeper extracts the golden liquid. Beeswax is one of the most multipurpose substances on the planet, used in candles, sealing wax, natural chewing gums and most importantly, as an essential skincare ingredient.
Protectant
Acting as a surfactant, beeswax, when blended into cold creams and other skin lotions, forms a protective barrier on the surface of the skin. This barrier, according to Koster Keunan, a global organic wax supplier, provides a film of protection against irritants while still allowing the skin to breathe.
This barrier may also aid in protecting the tender skin on your lips. The Mayo Clinic recommends using a lip balm that contains beeswax during cold weather to reduce your chances of developing chapped lips.
Skin Healer
In its natural state, beeswax is firm but pliable. Melted and combined with other ingredients, it adds body to skin care products, making creams thicker. Like other beehive products, including honey and royal jelly, beeswax offers anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiviral benefits, according to the magazine, Delicious Living, making it potentially beneficial for treating minor skin irritations.
Skin Softener
Dry, rough skin may benefit from creams, lotions or Soaps that contain beeswax. When added to skin care products, beeswax acts as an emollient and a humectant, drawing moisture to the skin and sealing it in, reports Botanical.com. Beeswax also contains vitamin A, which may be beneficial in softening and re-hydrating dry skin and in cell reconstruction.
Antibacterial
Beeswax may have mild antibacterial properties, according to a 2005 study conducted at Dubai Specialized Medical Center in the United Arab Emirates. Researchers combined honey, olive oil and beeswax, then applied the mixture to laboratory plates on which the bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, and the fungus, Candida albicans were growing. The honey/beeswax mixture inhibited the growth of the bacteria and fungus, making it, along with honey, potentially beneficial in the treatment of diaper rash and other bacterial skin conditions.
There is no doubt beeswax is one of natural skincare’s greatest assets, and by choosing the right herbal ointments and skin creams, you can give your skin a taste of this sweet, soothing relief.
Here are 7 other uses of beeswax you might not be familiar with:
- Beeswax candles – they burn brighter, remove toxins from the air and give off a sweet, warming honey aroma especially when mixed with essential oils.
- Polish wooden utensils.
- Hair great remedy for dry hair, as a wax of a man’s beard or mustache.
- Lubricant – rub it on sliding glass doors, drawers to restore smooth movement great for old furniture.
- Coating nails and screws – once you coat your nails and screws with beeswax they do not splinter the wood while you hammer.
- Cheese waxing – it is the best natural cover for cheeses for those that produce their own cheese, Beeswax works well for sealing as it has a low melting point.
- Prevent rust – coat things like hand tools, cast iron to prevent them from rusting out, and wear and tear.
