The ingredient, explained
Cera Alba
Cera alba has direct patch-test research relevant to contact allergy.
Ingredient guide
What it is and what it does
Beeswax. The wax obtained from the honeycomb of the bee. It consists primarily of myricyl palmitate, cerotic acid and esters and some high-carbon paraffins
About this ingredient: EU CosIng ingredient registry (via Open Beauty Facts taxonomy) ↗
- Emollient
- Helps soften and smooth the skin surface.
- Occlusive
- A surface-covering role that can reduce water loss through the skin. The amount of occlusion depends on the material and the formula.
- Emulsifying
- Helps liquids that do not normally mix form a mixture.
- Film forming
- Leaves a continuous layer on skin, hair or nails after application.
- Perfuming
- A formulation role for perfume and aromatic raw materials that give a product its scent.
Function definitions: European Commission ingredient function definitions (SCCNFP/0299/00, pages 16 to 20) ↗ · PubMed: Measurement of oil and petrolatum occlusion ↗ · Danish Environmental Protection Agency: Cosmetic fragrance functions ↗
Registry functions describe possible formulation roles, not results for a finished product. A dictionary entry is not an approval or a safety assessment.
A closer look
What the research shows
Human contact allergy research
Among 14 beeswax-reactive patients tested with both forms, eight reacted to both and one only to white beeswax.
What this does not tell us
This selected referral population cannot estimate allergy prevalence among ordinary cosmetic users; these are safety findings, not benefit evidence.
Sources for this summary. PubMed 31066083 ↗
Research review checked Oct 1, 2026
Bounded review of supplied local candidates (0 candidate records), selective exact-name title/abstract screening, and targeted indexed primary-source searches. Not a systematic review or a claim of exhaustive coverage.
Ingredient research is not proof that a product containing this ingredient works.
Read the 1 selected study
Human contact allergy research · n=95
Contact allergy to beeswax and propolis among patients with cheilitis or facial dermatitis. ↗
Contact dermatitis · 2019
Follow the formula
Products containing this ingredient
From the wider catalogue. Linked by the ingredient list, without an efficacy ranking.
Names and identifiers
Registry identity
Beeswax. The wax obtained from the honeycomb of the bee. It consists primarily of myricyl palmitate, cerotic acid and esters and some high-carbon paraffins
- INCI name on ingredient lists
- CERA ALBA
- CAS registry number
- 8012-89-3
- EC number
- 232-383-7
Other recorded names (1)
- cera alba / cera flava
Sources for this ingredient record
- EU CosIng ingredient registry (via Open Beauty Facts taxonomy) ↗ · ODbL 1.0 (Open Beauty Facts database) · Recorded Aug 8, 2026