The vegetable waxes are extracted from flowers and other parts of some plants and can be used in cosmetics associated or as an alternative to the more popular beeswax to make lip sticks, lipsticks, massage candles, moisturizing butters and creams .
In order to replace beeswax with a vegetable wax, it is necessary to take into account some characteristics of the latter, including the melting point and the film-forming power: as a reference, it must be remembered that beeswax has a point melting between 61 and 66 ° C and an average film-forming power.
The characteristics of each vegetable wax make it more or less suitable for different cosmetic preparations. In general, waxes are inserted into cosmetics to give consistency and barrier action to the product .
Like all waxes, even vegetable waxes are soluble in oils and vegetable butters and not in water, so they must be added to the oily phase of the cosmetic preparation that we intend to carry out.
Vegetable waxes can be bought in stores specializing in the sale of do-it-yourself raw materials.
Mimosa wax
Mimosa wax is extracted from the flowers of Acacia dealbata, the plant known as mimosa of 8 March. It has a look and a melting point similar to beeswax: in fact it melts at temperatures between 60 and 65 ° C.
Mimosa wax is used in cosmetic formulations as a texture and stabilizing agent in emulsions and has film-forming and protective properties for the skin.
This wax is inserted in small quantities in the recipes of creams for sensitive and dry skin, protective lip balms, solid perfumes and massage candles.
How to use massage candles
Solid perfume
The solid perfume is an alternative to liquid alcohol-based perfumes: wax is added to vegetable oils and butter to give consistency to the product. The fragrance is given by essential oils and oily extracts. The solid scent is used by massaging a small amount on the wrists and behind the ears .
Ingredients
> 12 grams of shea butter
> 4 grams of mimosa wax
> 4 grams of sunflower oil
> 10 drops of vanilla extract
> 5 drops of lemon essential oil
Method
Weigh the shea butter, mimosa wax and oil with a precision balance. Heat in a bain-marie and when the mixture appears liquid remove from the banomaria and quickly decant into a small glass or metal can with a lid.
While stirring, add the vanilla extract and lemon essential oil.
Allow to solidify at room temperature. You can use the perfume after about twelve hours.
Rice wax
Rice wax is obtained from the outer integument of the rice seed, from which rice oil is also obtained. Rice wax has a melting point of about 80 ° C, therefore much higher than beeswax.
Rice wax is indicated in the creation of moisturizing body creams and butters, less for the preparation of lip sticks. Due to its high melting point it is not used for making massage candles.
Nutritious body butter
This body butter is a solid butter to use on wet skin after a shower to hydrate, nourish and protect the skin. It is a convenient product to use very useful during the winter months as it helps protect the skin from dryness and cracking due to the cold.
Ingredients
> 60 grams of shea butter
> 20 grams of sunflower oil
> 20 grams of rice wax
> 20 drops of oily vanilla extract
Method
Melt the shea butter with rice wax and sunflower oil in a bain-marie. Remove from the heat and add the oily extract to the vanilla.
Transfer to a small silicone mold and allow to cool to room temperature. After twelve hours turn out the body butter and use it on the skin.
Carnauba wax and candelilla wax
The carnauba wax is extracted from the flowers of a palm of Brazilian origin, the Copernicia cerifera ; the candelilla wax instead comes from the flowers of Euphorbia cerifera .
Carnauba wax and candelilla wax have melting points of 80-86 ° C and 60-66 ° C respectively and are suitable for making lip sticks, lipsticks, mascara and eye and lip pencils .
Pencil for the eyes
With this recipe you can make a pencil with natural and vegetable ingredients, to be used for eye make-up : you can apply the pencil both on the outside and on the inner line of the eye.
Ingredients
> 1.5 grams of cocoa butter
> 1 gram of candelilla wax
> 0.3 grams of carnauba wax
> 0.7 grams of sunflower oil
> 2 grams of black mineral oxide
Method
Melt cocoa butter, vegetable waxes and oil in a bain-marie in a container with a spout. Add the black mineral or color oxide of your choice and mix well.
Pour the still hot mixture into an empty pencil (sold in stores specialized in cosmetic raw materials) keeping the pencil slightly tilted. Allow to cool for a few hours at room temperature or five minutes in the refrigerator before using the pencil.
Soy wax
Soy wax is obtained by hydrogenation of soy oil : it is a white wax with a softer consistency than other waxes seen up to now.
Soy wax has a melting point between 50 and 55 ° C and is particularly suitable for making candles for both the environment and massage.
Massage candle
With this recipe you can reproduce the massage candles used in wellness centers: they are emollient and nourishing butters and vegetable oils candles perfumed with natural essential oils, perfect also as a gift idea for Christmas.
At the time of use, light the candle, melt a small amount of product and use it on the skin to make warm massages.
Ingredients
> 45 grams of soy wax
> 25 grams of coconut oil
> 10 grams of shea butter
> 10 grams of cocoa butter
> 5 grams of mimosa wax
> 15 drops of essential oil of your choice
Method
Choose a small glass cup that will serve as a container for your candle. Cut a cotton cord three centimeters longer than the height of the glass.
Heat all the ingredients in a bain-marie except for the essential oil. When the mixture is almost liquid, prepare the wick by dipping the cord into the mixture and placing it in the freezer for a few minutes.
Remove the wick from the freezer and place it perpendicularly to the glass: to make sure that the wick remains still, secure it with a clothespin.
Remove the preparation from the bain-marie and pour it into the glass. Add the drops of essential oil and let cool at room temperature for at least twelve hours.
