What does beeswax do for your skin?
Beeswax has been part of skincare for centuries. In modern skincare it helps provide a light breathable layer that slows moisture loss. It doesn’t add water to the skin but it helps to seal in the moisture that is already there. This makes beeswax particularly useful in balms and other oil based skincare where it works alongside botanical oils and butters to leave skin feeling soft, comfortable and protected. Why use beeswax in skincare?
Beeswax does more than give a balm its texture. It helps create a protective layer on the surface of the skin, reducing the amount of moisture that is lost to the surrounding air.
Unlike some very heavy occlusive ingredients, beeswax can create this protective effect while still feeling comfortable on the skin. It also works beautifully with plant oils and butters, helping to create rich, concentrated formulations that soften and condition the skin.
Fresh beeswax cappings on a honeycomb frame from Cuckmere Organics hives in East Sussex.
Beeswax and the skin barrier
The outermost layer of our skin acts as a barrier between our bodies and the outside world. Part of its job is to keep moisture in. When that barrier is compromised, or simply becomes drier with age, more water can escape from the skin. This is known as transepidermal water loss, or TEWL.
Beeswax helps by forming a protective film over the skin, slowing this moisture loss. This is why it can be particularly useful for skin that feels dry, tight or exposed to cold weather, wind or central heating.
Why we use our own beeswax
Beeswax has always been an important part of Cuckmere Organics skincare, and every product we make contains it. The beeswax we use comes from our own hives here in East Sussex. Our bees forage across the surrounding landscape, and the wax they produce is harvested in small quantities as part of our beekeeping.
For us, using our own beeswax means knowing exactly where one of the most important ingredients in our skincare comes from. It also connects what we make directly to the landscape around us.
Beeswax, botanical oils and butters
We don't use beeswax in isolation. In our formulations it works alongside carefully selected botanical oils and butters.
Plant oils and butters provide lipids that help soften and condition the skin, while beeswax helps create a protective layer that reduces moisture loss. Together, they allow us to create concentrated, waterless skincare that only needs to be used in small amounts.A simple way to use beeswax-based skincare
If your skin tends to feel dry, try applying a small amount of balm or oil-based skincare to slightly damp skin. The moisture on the skin provides the water, while the oils, butters and beeswax help soften the skin and slow the rate at which that moisture evaporates.
At Cuckmere Organics, you'll find beeswax from our own hives in every product we make from our Cell Renewal Face Serum and Replenishing Face Balm to our body care and lip balms.