COPERNICIA CERIFERA WAX (Carnauba wax) – function in cosmetics

A hard plant wax from carnauba palm leaves.

What it is

Copernicia cerifera wax is carnauba wax, obtained from the leaves and leaf buds of the carnauba palm (Copernicia cerifera, accepted name Copernicia prunifera). CosIng lists it as abrasive, epilating, exfoliating, film forming, emollient and viscosity controlling.

Where it is used

Found in lipsticks, lip balms, mascaras, eyeliners, stick products and some depilatory waxes.

Limits of interpretation

The INCI list shows which ingredients are present, not how much of each. Above 1%, ingredients are listed in descending order of weight; below 1% the order is free.

Functions

Abrasive

Removing unwanted tissue or foreign materials from various body surfaces, including mechanical tooth cleaning and/or gloss improvement.

Epilating

Applied to the skin, and stripped off quickly to remove hair. With epilation the entire hair is removed from the follicle, whereas with depilation the hair is removed only to the surface of the skin.

Exfoliating

Initiating and/or accelerating removal of the layers of dead skin cells from the skin surface.

Film forming

Producing (upon application) a continuous film on the skin, hair or nails.

Skin conditioning – emollient

Acting as lubricants on the skin surface providing the skin with a soft and smooth appearance.

Viscosity controlling

Increasing or decreasing the viscosity (thickness) of cosmetics.

COPERNICIA CERIFERA WAX

What it is

Where it is used

Limits of interpretation

Functions

EU regulation

Products with this ingredient (54)