Government name
Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax
Goes by
Carnauba wax
The verdict
Superhero
Superpower
It's one of the hardest natural waxes, with a very high melting point.
On a label, carnauba wax is Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax. Copernicia cerifera is the Brazilian palm whose leaves it comes from.
Superhero or supervillain?
Superhero. Its superpower is hardness. It's one of the hardest natural waxes there is, and it's plant-based.
What it does in my skincare
A little carnauba wax helps lotion bars, balms and salves stay firm, even when it's warm out. It's a plant-based alternative to beeswax. Waxes aren't turned into soap the way oils are, so it keeps its own name on the label.
The supervillain rumor
"Isn't that car wax?" Yes, carnauba is used in car polish, because it's hard and glossy. It's also used as a shiny coating on candies and fruit. Same wax, lots of jobs.
Don’t judge an ingredient by its government name. Judge it by the science.
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