Cera Alba

Cera Alba (beeswax) is primarily an occlusive/thickener used at a few percent up to higher levels in balms, and it is generally well-tolerated with low inherent irritancy. However, clinical reports and patch testing show occasional allergic contact dermatitis (often related to residual propolis/pollen or beeswax impurities), so it is not truly inert for highly reactive or eczema-prone patients. Given this low-but-real risk of sensitization in compromised skin, a gentle score is most appropriate. Safety Notes: In commercial emulsions and leave-on creams/lotions, Cera Alba (beeswax) commonly appears at very low structuring levels (~0.1–1%) as an auxiliary thickener/occlusive, with higher use (2–10%) in balms, salves, sticks, and water-in-oil barrier creams where it provides significant body and film. The upper end of the consumer market includes single-ingredient cosmetic-grade beeswax sold to the public (100%) and very high-wax anhydrous products (often ~15–40%+), while rinse-off formats typically use it at lower levels due to deposition and feel constraints.

Suitability