| 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 formulations? |
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. |
