Ingredients Barrier repair Beeswax
93Bw
Tier · Moderate evidence
Barrier repair · Hydrating

Beeswax

INCI: Cera Alba · Also called: Cera Alba, Beeswax, Cire d'Abeille, White Beeswax

A wax film former that quietly does what petrolatum does (slows water loss and shields chapped skin) without feeling slick. Most evidence comes from honey/beeswax/olive-oil cerates that beat vehicle in eczema and psoriasis trials. CIR-affirmed safe.

For your skin

A wax film former that quietly does what petrolatum does (slows water loss and shields chapped skin) without feeling slick. Most evidence comes from honey/beeswax/olive-oil cerates that beat vehicle in eczema and psoriasis trials. CIR-affirmed safe.

Want the science? Keep reading ↓

Mechanism of action

Long-chain fatty-acid ester wax (palmitate, palmitoleate, oleate esters of C30-C32 alcohols) that forms a semi-occlusive surface film, reduces transepidermal water loss, and stabilises emulsions; in combination with honey and olive oil shows clinical improvement in atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.

Why we tier this moderate

3 cited papers across 2 countries. The mechanism is well-described and there's at least one controlled trial in the literature, but we tier this Moderate rather than Strong to stay honest about how many specific papers we cite directly.

2
International
1
United States

Cited research

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Al-Waili NS. Clinical and mycological benefits of topical application of honey, olive oil and beeswax in diaper dermatitis. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2005;11(2):160-163.

2005Positive — efficacyPMID:15679498View source ↗
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CIR Expert Panel. Safety Assessment of Beeswax, Candelilla Wax, Carnauba Wax, Japan Wax, and Beeswax-Derived Ingredients. Int J Toxicol. (Reaffirmed 2005.)

2005Safety assessmentCIR-BeeswaxView source ↗
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Al-Waili NS. Topical application of natural honey, beeswax and olive oil mixture for atopic dermatitis or psoriasis: partially controlled, single-blinded study. Complement Ther Med. 2003;11(4):226-234.

2003Positive — efficacyPMID:15022655View source ↗

Sources: PubMed · KCI · J-Stage · CNKI · Wanfang · SFD · MFDS · Cochrane · SCCS · CIR. Every entry points to a specific document. See methodology for what each outcome label means.