As a beekeeper, I’ve discovered just how impressive beeswax can be. It’s a key ingredient in many of my homemade projects, like soaps and lotion bars. But beeswax isn’t just for DIY skincare!
If you’ve ever seen the inside of a honeybee hive, you know it’s astonishing. Imagine juggling a hundred tasks at once, yet everything is perfectly organized and clean. Honeybees manage this while nurturing hundreds of babies and building a home. As someone who used to keep bees and now watches my son care for his bees, I continue to be amazed by their incredible abilities.
While honey is the most famous bee product, it’s not the only valuable one. Apitherapy, using bee products like honey, pollen, royal jelly, propolis, and even beeswax, has many benefits. Some even use bee venom therapeutically!
Before I get carried away about how fascinating bees are, let me highlight one product in particular. Besides honey and other tasty by-products, beeswax deserves a shoutout. Bees produce beeswax to build their hive structure, crafting perfect hexagonal honeycombs from special glands.
When harvesting honey, beekeepers cut the wax cap off each honeycomb cell. This wax is melted and filtered, leaving the beeswax we use in so many beauty products and homemade recipes. I always keep natural beeswax handy, buying it in bulk for its countless uses around the house.
Beeswax is a great addition to cosmetics. It’s a versatile natural ingredient in DIY beauty and home products and is a key component in my homemade items. Here are some simple ways I use beeswax at home:
1. Deodorant: I’ve been making my own deodorant for years. Beeswax helps form a natural moisture barrier, preventing sweat stains without harmful chemicals.
2. Lotion Bars: These are my favorite moisturizers. Beeswax, along with oils and butter, forms a solid bar that locks in moisture and even has anti-wrinkle properties.
3. Lip Balm: You can make lip balm with the same ingredients used for lotion bars. Homemade lip balm costs much less than store-bought versions.
4. Candles: I switched out scented candles for beeswax ones, which are cleaner for the air. Making them is easy and fun, and they make lovely gifts.
5. Soap: Beeswax makes soap harder and longer-lasting. Just be sure not to use too much, or it can affect lather.
6. Diaper Rash Cream: Beeswax acts as a thickener and protective barrier in diaper rash cream, making it safe for sensitive baby skin.
7. Cracked Heel Remedy: A salve of beeswax, coconut oil, and magnesium works wonders for dry, cracked heels.
8. Gardener’s Salve: Beeswax guards against damage and, when combined with herbs like plantain, soothes skin quickly.
9. Natural Remedies: Beeswax is perfect for making natural vapor rubs and soothing balms.
10. Food Wraps: You can create reusable food wraps with beeswax as a plastic wrap alternative.
I also love experimenting with different lotion recipes using beeswax. Whether in pastille form for small projects or block form for larger ones, I prefer yellow beeswax for its natural honey scent.
Supporting local beekeepers by buying beeswax locally is a great option if available. What are your favorite ways to use beeswax? Share your ideas!
