The many uses of beeswax

August 21, 2024

Mathieu Thibodeau

Do you know the different uses of beeswax?

Discover all the possible uses of the beeswax , a naturally occurring ingredient that is useful in cooking as well as in cosmetics.

What is beeswax?

Honey, propolis, royal jelly or even beeswax , the products from the hive are numerous. Some of them are widely consumed for their health benefits. This is particularly the case for royal jelly, which is ideal for strengthening the body. While beeswax is also edible and beneficial, it is mainly used in cooking, in cosmetics or for home maintenance. But do you know exactly where it comes from and how it is made? Before introducing you to the many uses of beeswax , I offer you a little reminder on its origin…

Beeswax plays an essential role in the hive. It allows bees to build the cells which will contain the pollen, honey and brood (eggs, larvae and nymphs). It is also used for capping once the cells are full of honey. Beeswax is therefore the "cement" of the cells. It is produced directly by the bees thanks to their 8 wax glands located in the abdomen.

There beeswax newly produced beeswax is white. But, gradually, it takes on a yellow-orange tint depending on the color of the pollen brought back to the hive. Beeswax contains a multitude of natural compounds including fatty acid esters which give it its properties.

The many uses of beeswax

Like baking soda, alcohol vinegar or even black soap, beeswax is a multi-purpose product . Today, it is mainly used in cooking, cosmetics and for household maintenance. But few people know that it is also a natural alternative to plastic…

Beeswax in cooking

In cooking, beeswax can be used as release agent . Once melted in a bain-marie, it is poured in a thin layer into the molds, replacing the butter or oil used for greasing. Beeswax also has the advantage of bringing crispness and a very sweet honey taste to pastries. It is notably used as such for the preparation of cannelés de Bordeaux.

In the food industry, beeswax is also known as “E901” . It is then used as an emulsifier, coating agent, stabilizer and thickener.

Beeswax in cosmetics

Lip balm, moisturizer, hand cream, hair mask… beeswax is an ideal natural ingredient for making your own homemade cosmetics . It must be said that it has many benefits for the skin.

Beeswax is very rich in vitamin A which participates in the regeneration of skin tissues, improves the appearance and elasticity of the skin. It is also moisturizing, soothing, healing and protective. Very gentle, it is suitable for all skin types, including the most sensitive and reactive. Beeswax is also interesting for making your own makeup products (lipsticks, glosses, eye shadows, etc.) because it is an excellent texturizing agent.

If you are a fan of Do It Yourself (DIY) , so don't hesitate to use beeswax to formulate your homemade cosmetics . You can definitely combine it with vegetable oils, floral waters and essential oils. However, I advise you to choose 100% natural beeswax because, like all beehive products, wax can be chemically treated and contain pesticide residues.

Beeswax for home maintenance

Beeswax is commonly used for restoration, maintenance and polishing wooden furniture. Once applied, it nourishes and protects them for a long time. But beeswax is also effective in restoring life to leather, floor tiles, terracotta and old parquet floors.

Want to start making natural candles ? Beeswax is a great, healthy and eco-friendly alternative to toxic paraffin-based candles. To make a natural candle, you only need beeswax, a wick (cotton or wood), essential oils and a glass container.

Beeswax as an alternative to plastic

Beeswax is an ideal ingredient to replace plastic and aluminum in cooking. In fact, it can be used to make packaging and Eco-friendly, reusable and therefore economical food wraps . If you want to make your own beeswax food wrap, I invite you to follow the steps in our tutorial article " How to make an eco-friendly food wrap with organic beeswax? ".

My little extra: What if we talked about pollinators!

World Bee Day - Without pollinating insects, most of our fruits and vegetables could not be grown

Without pollinating insects, most of our fruits and vegetables could not be grown. 80% of plant species and 84% of cultivated species in Europe depend directly on pollination.

Every May 20th, World Bee Day
POLLINATION, THE PILLAR OF OUR ECOSYSTEMS

Why do we need pollinators?

They also serve as sentinels for emerging environmental risks as they provide us with valuable information on the health of local ecosystems.

Pollination, the pillar of our ecosystems

There pollination therefore turns out to be a fundamental process for natural and human-managed terrestrial ecosystems.

Protecting pollinators to adapt to climate change

Conversely, the decline of these species has many consequences for ecosystems and for the quality and quantity of food crops, with the direct consequence of an imbalance in diets and a depletion of natural resources, as well as an impoverishment of populations. The health, and even the lives, of billions of people will be affected and many sustainable development goals, such as the one aimed at eliminating world hunger and the one aimed at preserving and restoring terrestrial ecosystems, will no longer be achievable. The loss of pollinators would lead to an exponential loss of biodiversity , endangering our ecosystems and our food.

The loss of pollinators may mean the loss of some of the nutritional nutrients needed for a healthy diet. The decline in pollinators could have disastrous effects on our food future. Strengthening and improving pollination management not only means avoiding environmental and food disaster but would also increase agricultural yield and quality.