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There is an everlasting showdown between lip balm products, so which is better -- beeswax or petroleum jelly? What if there was something that rises above both? Read on to find out.
Beeswax: Nature’s Skin Protector and Healer
We all know that mānuka oil is an incredible natural product, with antibacterial properties. But did you know that beeswax also has some great health and wellness properties?
Why is Beeswax so Amazing?
Worker bees create six-sided honeycomb cells to store honey. After the honey is harvested, the wax is melted and purified by the honey company. This natural, non-allergenic product is often used as a skincare ingredient because it’s non-comedogenic, meaning it doesn’t block or clog your pores. It forms a protective but breathable layer on the skin surface that provides a barrier to moisture loss, supporting healing and helping to prevent scarring.
But doesn’t petroleum jelly do the same thing?
Originally, petroleum jelly was found coating the bottom of oil rigs in the 1800s. It’s a by-product of oil production, which means it’s extremely unsustainable and damaging to the environment, and some of the components removed from petroleum jelly in the refining process are carcinogenic.
Most importantly, when applied to the skin, it creates a water-repellent barrier that clogs your pores and seals in the dirt. It keeps moisture in the skin but doesn’t actually have any moisturising properties. Which can have negative side effects on the largest organ in your body -- your skin.
Beeswax is a Renewable Product
Beeswax is a natural, renewable product. This means it is a sustainable alternative to synthetic, mineral oil-based waxes and other products.
Beeswax is a by-product of honey production. Bees produce excess honey in wax honeycombs which can be taken by beekeepers without affecting the colony.
Encouraging comb renewal is an important part of colony health. Honey bees prefer to lay their eggs and rear their young in a fresh comb. By harvesting excess honey and honeycomb, beekeepers are making space in the hive for this to occur.
Beeswax is used in many skincare products because it provides protection against irritants while still allowing the skin to breathe. Research has shown that it acts as a better barrier than mineral products such as petroleum jelly. It also offers anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiviral benefits making it helpful in treating skin irritation.
What Beauty Products Have Beeswax in Them?
There are many skincare products that use beeswax. But there is only one that also contains mānuka oil, which works in conjunction with beeswax to create an incredibly useful skincare product.
Mānuka Oil Skin Rescue Ointment is designed to support the normal healing processes, providing natural moisture and a host of benefits. In addition to mānuka oil and beeswax, it contains turmeric oil, which supports the immune response. Castor seed oil, cocoa butter, shea butter, and calendula flower oil all help moisturise and heal the skin.
Check out our Skin Rescue Ointment so that you can keep it in your handbag and desk drawer or bedside cabinet. Remember to apply it to dry or cracked skin, cuts, scrapes and rashes. It’s a true natural multi-tasker good for you and the planet.
