The complex product that honey insects produce and use to build honeycombs softens at temperatures above 35 ° C. After the active substances have been absorbed by the skin, the wax covers it with a thin layer of a protective film. Therefore, it is often added to creams, ointments, lipsticks. The consistency of the medicinal or cosmetic product becomes thicker at the same time.
Useful properties of beeswax
To obtain the product, the combs must be melted in steam in a special apparatus, cleaned of debris particles that have accumulated in the cells during their use by bees.
Wax consists of several dozen organic compounds, which can be divided into 3 groups:
- Esters.
- Carboxylic acids.
- Polyols (alcohols).
Its color varies from yellow-white to mustard, sometimes with a greenish tint. It depends on impurities, how old the honeycomb was created.
A cream with the addition of wax acquires many beneficial qualities:
- destruction of pathogenic bacteria;
- removal of inflammation, elimination of itching;
- healing of wounds, burns, ulcers on the surface of the skin and mucous membranes;
- moisturizing, supply of active substances;
- smoothing wrinkles, increasing elasticity.
With regular application of the composition, the nail plates are strengthened, their growth is accelerated.
For the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases of the skin, usually drugs bought in stores are used, for example, the Zdorovye cream for psoriasis. Home remedies are often used in the initial stages of deterioration of hair, nails, and skin.
Tip:
To enhance the effect, various natural ingredients are added to the cream with wax. It is combined with bee products (propolis, podmore), vegetable oils and extracts.
A mixture with an extract of cinquefoil, hops and cedar resin is recommended for use in case of joint inflammation.
Beeswax in cosmetology
Products containing the product obtained by melting the honeycomb are valued for their positive effect on the health of hair, skin and nails. Wax is often used to make moisturizing, anti-aging creams for the face and body. It is useful for all skin types, forms a thin protective film that retains moisture, does not allow bacteria to penetrate into wounds.
The main component of the cream-wax is beeswax, purified from impurities.
Tip:
If you want to make your own cosmetic product, beekeeping products can be bought in a store or on the market. It is better to choose well-known, proven farms that sell quality goods.
The composition of creams can also include:
- Lanolin.
- Essential and vegetable oils. For oily skin, citrus fruits, avocados, lemon balm or rosemary are suitable. Dryness is eliminated by patchouli, almonds, olive. Lavender and jasmine help with irritation.
- Honey, propolis, perga.
- Plant sap. Aloe relieves inflammation. Fresh vegetables increase skin elasticity, remove excess fluid. Lemon brightens, evens out the integument.
With the help of additives, the effectiveness of creams for use on different parts of the body is increased. Natural ingredients are harmless, almost do not cause an allergic reaction.
How to make wax cream yourself
At home, you can prepare a cosmetic product that is even better in quality than the one bought in the store. In terms of consistency, it turns out to be thicker, more greasy, and is stored not as long as an industrial preparation.
Before starting work, prepare kitchen appliances, dishes. You will need a mixer for mixing, a small scale.
Tip:
Containers made of copper, iron, their alloys (for example, cast iron) are not suitable – wax reacts with them, releasing harmful substances. You should take dishes made of glass, ceramic, aluminum or stainless steel.
Many simple and interesting recipes for beeswax-based creams have been developed. All components are available for them, and the cooking steps are the same:
- Pieces of solid components are ground on a grater or planed with a sharp knife, placed in a clean dish.
- The container is placed in a water bath and heated to about 65 ° C to melt all the particles.
- While stirring with a wooden spatula, gradually add the liquid ingredients.
- The mixture is removed from the water bath and allowed to cool while continuing to stir.
Chilled beeswax cream hardens slightly. But if it is cooked correctly, it immediately becomes soft on the fingers. After that, it can be easily spread over the skin area. A mixture with too thick consistency is reheated and diluted with vegetable oil.
The finished product is transferred to a small jar with a lid.
Hand cream
Most often, the property of a bee product comes in handy to heal wounds, moisturize the skin and protect it from bacteria. It is useful for the care of hands that come into contact with water, detergents, cold air.
When making beeswax hand cream, 20 g of a solid product is taken. After softening, add 60 g of olive oil, 10 g of peach oil to it. You can add apricot pomace (10 g) to the mixture.
The product is used to lubricate hands 3-4 times a day. After 10-15 minutes, you need to gently wipe them with a clean cloth, rinse under running warm water.
Face cream
The components of the product depend on the type of skin and the desired result of the application. You can make a rejuvenating, moisturizing, or cleansing formula.
To slow down aging, nourish the skin with useful substances, face creams are made with beeswax, olive or peach oil, glycerin, and honey. For 50 g of a solid product, 5 g of liquid ingredients are taken. Wrinkles are smoothed by a mixture with 15-20 g of citrus juice. Almond oil, squeeze from grape seeds (5 g each) helps with dryness. Often, essential oils are added to the anti-aging agent: jojoba, rosemary, rosehip (5-10 drops each).
The finished mixture should be applied to the face with a thin layer 2 times a day (before and after sleep), massaging with finger movements.
Body cream
The consistency of the moisturizing product is made more liquid by increasing the amount of vegetable oil to 200-250 g per 50 g of wax chips. Olive, coconut, or almond works well. This balm is often enriched with vitamins (A, E) 10 drops each, essential oils.
The wax composition is applied to slightly damp skin after an evening shower. It helps to get rid of flaking, inflammation. It is recommended to pre-massage the body with a hard washcloth.
A mixture with propolis from varicose veins eliminates discomfort, swelling, improves blood supply to tissues. Also, for this disease, a composition with bee venom is prepared.
Nail cream
For 1 serving of the product, it is enough to melt 10 g of crushed wax. 30 g of olive oil and 5 g of chamomile broth are added to it.
The finished mixture is spread on the nail plates every 3-4 days. After 20 minutes, rub the fingers with a napkin. It is undesirable to wash them right away.
Hair cream
Masks with coconut oil fill with strength, restore shine to the hair. It is mixed with wax in a 6: 1 ratio. You can also pour in 5 drops of essential citrus oil shortly before removing the cream from the water bath or after it has cooled down.
The method of application is as follows: on clean, damp hair, from ends to roots.
Lip cream
For winter, you can make a natural lipstick from wax at home. She protects against drying out, cracks, peeling. 15 g of honey or cocoa butter are mixed with 5 g of melted shavings. Add 3-5 drops of mint, lavender, orange to the cooled cream. It is useful to enrich the composition with vitamin E.
Lips are lubricated before going outside to keep them soft.
List of famous wax creams
The stores offer various cosmetics containing bee products. The required composition is chosen there, if it is not possible to prepare it yourself. Many manufacturers produce creams, wax-added ointments. Such products are available in the lines of the following brands:
- “One Hundred Recipes for Beauty”;
- «Nivea»;
- “Le Petit Marseillais”;
- «Oriflame»;
- «Swan»;
- “Laino”;
- Weleda, and many others.
Among the inexpensive but effective cosmetic products are Zdorov and Yantar cream. Bubchen, Bioaroma are suitable for small children.
Contraindications for use
Products for external use containing beeswax are practically harmless and do not cause allergic reactions. They are suitable for adults and children, especially when prepared at home from natural ingredients. The cream is used for problems with joints, since its active substances act even without warming up.
Tip:
When you first use a cosmetic product, you need to find out if it can cause irritation. To do this, a small amount is applied to the bend of the elbow, wrist, corner of the lips. In the absence of a reaction – redness, swelling, itching – you can use the cream as directed.
A little honey and propolis gets into the wax, so if you are allergic to these products, you should also choose another skin care product. You should not add any components (essential oil, plant juice) to the cream if it is known that the body has an allergic reaction to them.
How to store beeswax cream
Products produced by cosmetics manufacturers have a shelf life of up to 2 years if kept in a cool place. The qualities of homemade creams do not last long – up to 3 months on a refrigerator shelf, up to 3 weeks at room temperature. Therefore, it is better to prepare small portions of the product with wax in order to have time to use it.
For storage, you will need a glass, ceramic or plastic jar. Before laying the cream, it is thoroughly washed, and then tightly closed with a lid. Metal dishes are not suitable – when interacting with wax, they release harmful substances.
Due to their antibacterial, wound healing, moisturizing properties, products with bee products are widely used in cosmetology and medicine. They can be prepared at home by combining healthy ingredients that you like. Effective creams for skin care are obtained from wax.
