5 Facts About Carnauba Wax

Carnauba wax is a natural plant wax used in many products and applications. Keep reading to learn five facts about this wax type.

1. Source

Carnauba wax comes from carnauba palm leaves. It is collected by drying out the leaves, beating them to loosen the wax, and refining and bleaching the wax to use in various applications. Since carnauba wax comes from a plant, it is considered a natural plant wax. It is also sometimes referred to as palm wax.

2. Properties

Carnauba wax is shiny, which is perfect for giving a glossy look to many products. It also has waterproofing qualities when applied to certain products. Carnauba wax is brittle when used alone, so it is often combined with another wax type.

3. Emulsions

Carnauba wax is a popular wax used in emulsions, which are stable mixtures of one or more waxes in water. This wax emulsion is often used in creams and ointments to thicken them.

4. Polishes

Since carnauba wax is shiny, it is often used in polishes, including car, shoe and floor polish. It is also used as a shiny coating on produce, like apples and cucumbers. The shiny wax coating does more than just make the floor or fruit look good, it also adds a protective layer.

5. Food – Can You Eat Carnauba Wax?

Food-grade carnauba wax is used in a variety of foods and candies, including fruit snacks, Skittles and M&Ms. The wax is used to give these candies a shiny appearance and help prevent them from melting quickly. It is safe to eat food-grade carnauba wax.