Candelilla Wax

What is it?	A hard plant-based wax from the leaves of the Candelilla (Euphorbia Cerifera) shrub.
Appearance	Small, brittle yellow flakes.
Texture	Hard and firm flaky bits.
Scent	A distinctive, mild, sort of sweet smell.
Absorbency Speed	The wax itself won’t absorb into your skin on its own, but salves made with it tend to absorb faster than salves made with beeswax.
Approximate Melting Point	70°C/158°F
Solubility	Oil
Why do we use it in recipes?	To harden/thicken;
Do you need it?	It’s a really useful additional wax, and it pairs well with beeswax in lots of recipes.
Refined or unrefined?	You won’t really have a choice; refined.
Strengths	It’s a strong, glossy thickener and works well in small amounts.
Weaknesses	It’s so glossy that salves and balms made with it don’t have great staying power since they tend to be quite slippery.
Alternatives & Substitutions	Carnauba wax works pretty well.
How to Work with It	Use it to thicken and harden concoctions; learn about how strong it is with this experiment.
Storage & Shelf Life	Stored somewhere cool, dark, and dry, candelilla wax should have an indefinite shelf life.
Tips, Tricks, and Quirks	You can try using it instead of beeswax at about 80%, but the consistency differences will impact the feel of the final product.
Recommended starter amount	100g (3.3oz)
Where to Buy it	Buy it from an online DIY ingredient supplier or Amazon.

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