BEAUTY
Beauty Article for Beeswax Lip Balm:
http://www.ehow.com/about_5705546_skin-benefits-beeswax.html
When constructing a honeycomb, bees secrete a nutrient-rich substance called beeswax. Utilized in a variety of skin care products, beeswax improves the condition of skin. According to the website Absoluteastronomy.com, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals comprise a whopping 60 percent of total beeswax commercial consumption. Completely nontoxic, beeswax is known for its healing properties.
Features
Beeswax is a colorless liquid secreted by female worker bees as they build the honeycomb walls. According to Botanical.com, "The wax is secreted from wax glands on the underside of the bee's abdomen and is molded into six-sided cells which are filled with honey, then capped with more wax. When honey is harvested, the top layer of wax that covers the cells, or the cappings, must be removed from each hexagon-shaped cell." To produce one pound of wax, a bee consumes an estimated six to eight pounds of honey, according to Honeyflowfarms.com Absolute Astronomy reports that bees fly approximately 150,000 miles, or the distance of six earth orbits, to produce only one pound of beeswax.
Function
Beeswax properties work in concert with cosmetics. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), beeswax is easily incorporated with water in oil or oil in water emulsions. An excellent emollient and support for moisturizers, beeswax provides skin protective action of a nonocclusive type, bestows consistency to emulsions and oil-gels and reinforces the action of detergents. Nonallergic, beeswax also sustains sunscreen action with its water repellent properties, combines well with multiple ingredients, contains elasticity and provides greater permanence on skin or lip surfaces.
Benefits
Beeswax locks in moisture, fosters cells and protects skin from damaging environmental factors. Honeygirlorganic.com reports beeswax effectively "softens your skin and creates a long-lasting protective coating against the elements. It also is a naturally nourishing moisturizer as well as being anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-allergenic and a germicidal antioxidant." According to Botanical.com, "Even after processing, beeswax still remains a biologically active product, retaining some anti-bacterial properties and also contains some vitamin A, which is necessary for normal cell development." The Mayo Clinic recommends lip balm made from beeswax for chapped lip care and prevention.
Significance
Because of the healing, softening and antiseptic properties associated with beeswax, numerous skin care lines incorporate it. According to the FAO, "Even small quantities show effects of improvement.... Beeswax is very frequently used in the following cosmetic classes: cleansing creams, cold creams and lotions, emollient and barrier creams, depilatories, lipsticks-protective sticks in general, nail creams, sun protection products, eye and face make up, and foundation creams." Botanical.com states, "Beeswax has an irritation potential of zero, and a comedogenicity (doesn't clog pores) rating of 0-2, which means that when formulated and used correctly in cosmetic formulations, beeswax will not cause a problem."
Misconceptions
Since beeswax does not clog pores, Dermaxime.com states, "When it is properly used, (beeswax) will not promote the formation of acne or pimples."
Warnings: People with oily skin should refrain from using beeswax skin creams, advises Nutritivepower.com. In addition, Botanical.com cautions, "Beeswax is mildly flammable and will start on fire if the wax comes in direct contact with a flame. People with bee allergies should not use beeswax as it could cause interactions."