As time goes on, a large number of people are turning to organic products. People generally monitor what products they put on their body. One of the most common ingredients you can find in many skin care products is beeswax. However, there are two types of beeswax, yellow and white. But which one is better?
Both are refined, but white beeswax is naturally bleached, not as natural as yellow beeswax. White beeswax is better for cosmetic purposes, while yellow beeswax is usually better for candles. It depends on what you are using beeswax for.
Beeswax is one of the most popular natural ingredients you can find in many different organic products today, regardless of the product’s purpose. In this regard, both yellow and white beeswax have their own uses and are great on their own. Now let’s discuss them in more detail and what makes them amazing in their unique way.
Yellow Beeswax
Yellow beeswax is actually the more common type of beeswax you can find anywhere, as it is often referred to as the “natural” state of beeswax. But why is it called the natural state of beeswax? Well, if you’ve ever seen a comb or honey, you’ll know that they’re usually pale yellow to brown. Because of this, it’s easy to see why yellow beeswax is often considered the more natural type of beeswax.
However, yellow beeswax may appear to be the most natural state of beeswax, but this beeswax is also refined and processed in some form. What happens when you process yellow beeswax, it is heat treated and then filtered to remove residues that may have come from its natural state. Yellow beeswax is also refined to ensure all impurities are removed.
Beeswax that is yellow to golden brown is generally considered high-quality beeswax because it means it has been refined and treated properly, as beeswax actually turns brown when exposed to heat.
Yellow beeswax works on a variety of products. It can be used in cosmetics, soaps and candles. However, it is often the first choice for candle making because it brings out the natural color of beeswax. But if you don’t mind natural color, you can still use it for makeup.
White Beeswax
White beeswax is still very natural and organic. It comes from the same type of beeswax as yellow beeswax. However, white beeswax has an ivory color because it has undergone a pressure filtration process that not only filters out impurities and debris, but also removes its yellowish color, giving it a white appearance.
Another reason white beeswax is white is that it has undergone a natural bleaching process that exposes it to a thin layer of air. As such, it has been refined to the point where it no longer has the natural yellow look that beeswax should see. But that doesn’t make it any more natural than it should be, although some people wonder if white beeswax is actually natural (given the chemicals they think are used in the bleaching process).
In fact, some white beeswax may not be completely natural, especially if made using questionable methods. Therefore, it is important to ensure that you only source white beeswax from reputable companies or use a quality brand of white beeswax products.
White beeswax is widely used in cosmetics and soaps because of its solid color, as manufacturers can add colorants to such products. Because it doesn’t have the yellow color of beeswax, white beeswax is great for those who want to make candles and other products in white or light shades.
What Is The Difference Between White And Yellow Beeswax?
Now that you know more about yellow and white beeswax, you may be wondering what makes them different. With that in mind, let’s take a quick look at their differences:
1. Treatment
The treatment for yellow beeswax is a heat treatment designed to remove all the various impurities while refining the beeswax in the process. This will keep its natural color and make it darker, as the heat can turn the pale yellow color of the beeswax to golden or golden brown.
Meanwhile, the white beeswax is pressure filtered to remove all impurities, including the yellow color of the beeswax. This makes it appear purer in color than yellow beeswax, but it’s actually the same product. Because white beeswax is processed more deeply, it is considered more refined than yellow beeswax, just as refined white sugar has undergone a greater refining process than brown sugar.
2. Purity
Yellow beeswax is generally considered the purer of the two, as it retains its natural color. Because yellow beeswax has not undergone a deep refining process, some of its natural properties have not been removed. That’s why it’s purer and more natural than white beeswax.
White beeswax, on the other hand, may still be natural and organic (if you choose the right brand), but the refining process it goes through not only removes dirt and impurities, but also some of the natural goodies that make beeswax great. This means that white beeswax is not as pure as yellow beeswax.
3. Use
Generally, yellow and white beeswax are not very different in terms of use. However, since they actually differ in color, it’s more of a matter of preference.
Yellow beeswax is a better choice for organic beeswax candles because of its yellowish color and because it accentuates the “natural” part of the candle, leading to the belief that the candle is actually made of natural beeswax. It also works with other products that bring out the natural color of beeswax. However, if you don’t mind the yellow beeswax sticking out, you can still use it for cosmetic purposes.
The ivory color of white beeswax allows for more uses. It’s best used in cosmetics because it masks the natural yellow color of beeswax and gives manufacturers more latitude in deciding the color of their products. This is why some beeswax cosmetics come in a variety of colors. However, white beeswax can also be used for candles if the manufacturer prefers to provide other colors for the candle.
Which Is Better, Yellow Or White Beeswax?
Ultimately, deciding which product is better between yellow and white beeswax is a matter of choice and preference. It’s akin to choosing between brown sugar and white sugar, as both products have their own strengths and weaknesses.
For those who prefer more natural and organic products that are purer in their natural properties and benefits, yellow beeswax is a better choice because it closely resembles beeswax in its natural state. You can also have more confidence in the purity of yellow beeswax because you don’t have to question how it was refined or processed.
If the color of the product is really important to you, then white beeswax should be a better choice for you as it allows you to have more freedom in the color of the product. White beeswax is also a better choice for makeup, as color is now a priority here. However, unless you pay close attention to where you source white beeswax, you can’t be sure how natural it is, as some companies may use chemicals to bleach beeswax instead of using natural bleaching methods to make beeswax white.
In conclusion, while yellow beeswax is purer and more natural than white beeswax because it is less refined, white beeswax is still the more versatile of the two when it comes to product application. If you like purity, choose yellow beeswax. However, if the color of the product is your main concern and you want more versatile beeswax, you should probably choose white beeswax.
