Typically, you will find emulsifying wax in products such as lotion, or other emulsified skin care products. The name, "emulsifying wax", sounds very innocuous, and you will find this ingredient in many natural products.
Is emulsifying wax safe for skin care products?
Emulsifying wax is a 100% synthetic ingredient. It's created by adding a detergent to an oil, often a petroleum-based oil. This process is known as "ethoxylation". Ethoxylation may release a carcinogen known as 1,4-dioxane.
At Hyssop Beauty Apothecary, we choose not to use ingredients that are carcinogens, and/or ingredients that may be toxic to our environment.
Is there a safer, clearner alternative to emulsifying wax?
We use candelilla wax to emulsify some of our products. Candelilla wax is a natural wax coating found on Euphorbia antisyphilitica or Euphorbia cerifera shrubs that grow wild in Northern Mexico and Texas. It is a plant-based, vegan wax that is 100% natural and safe to use.