Euphorbia Cerifera Wax

Irritancy: 0-0Comedogenicity: 1-1

Fungal-acne trigger

The details

Euphorbia Cerifera Wax (aka candelilla wax) is a vegan stand-in for beeswax . It is a plant-derived wax that functions as an astringent, emulsion stabilizer, film-former, and skin conditioner. On skin, it forms a protective barrier that helps lock in moisture while it enhances product stability, prevents separation, and helps color last longer in makeup. This ingredient is generally safe for use in cosmetics with one nuance: some grades of candelilla wax can naturally contain benzyl alcohol at concentrations high enough to require declaration under EU labeling rules. This isn't a concern for most people but relevant for those with fragrance sensitivities. Candelilla wax contains fatty acids (mainly C31) and wax esters that can be used by the Malassezia yeast, so this ingredient may not be fungal acne safe. You might see Euphorbia Cerifera "Cera" instead of "wax". This is because some brands, databases, or labels use it interchangeably; they're the same ingredient.