What's the difference?

[Sibi]

I'm curious to know what is the difference between e-wax and bees wax....Are they interchangeable in body products? Does one work better than another in particular products? Anyone out there know?

Sibi

 

[carebear]

ewax is an emulsifier, beeswax is beeswax!

ewax is used in lotions and I use it in my sugar scrub. it's a synthetic compound
http://www.ingredientstodiefor.com/item.php?item_id=183

beeswax doesn't emulsify on its own

 

[Sibi]

Thanks for the info carebear. So if beeswax doesn't emulsify what is it used for? I know I used some in a lip balm I made but I'm not sure why it was needed...

 

[carebear]

it's mostly used for hardness and for its high melting point.

you only need an emulsifier in systems with water (that's what an emulsifier does - allows oil and water to mix). the exception is in systems where water is expected to be introduced - for example, I use an emulsifier in my sugar scrub. The scrub itself contains no water, but the emulsifier helps it mix with the water in the shower to rinse away better and leave a bit of a lotiony feel to the skin.

 

[Sibi]

it's mostly used for hardness and for its high melting point.

you only need an emulsifier in systems with water (that's what an emulsifier does - allows oil and water to mix). the exception is in systems where water is expected to be introduced - for example, I use an emulsifier in my sugar scrub. The scrub itself contains no water, but the emulsifier helps it mix with the water in the shower to rinse away better and leave a bit of a lotiony feel to the skin.

Thanks again carebear, I think I got it now.

 

[edensong]

Beeswax is considered a "co-emulsifier". That's why you see in it recipes with borax, another co-emulsifier. Of course, it's also for thickening and hardness.

 

[lovetosoap]

beeswax

I have been making lotions for about 10 years now and use only beeswax as an emulsifier. I do not use borax. Beeswas works well