What is Beeswax?
Chemically, Beeswax (INCI name: Cera Alba) is a structural wax. A structural wax used in balms and mascara, rated 0-2. Low comedogenic risk but a fatty-ester wax that fungal-acne routines often avoid.
You may see it on labels as Beeswax, Cera Alba, Cera Flava, Cera Bianca, so it can hide under more than one name in an ingredient list.
Where Beeswax shows up
Beeswax is commonly formulated into balms, lipsticks, mascaras, and stick products, where it adds structure. Separately from clogging, its irritancy is rated 0/5 — low, so it's unlikely to sting or sensitise on its own.
Is Beeswax bad for acne-prone skin?
Because it barely registers on the comedogenic scale, Beeswax is generally a safe pick for breakout-prone skin and is often recommended as a gentler alternative to heavier ingredients.
Note for fungal-acne (malassezia) sufferers: Beeswax is commonly avoided in fungal-acne routines, since it falls into the fatty-acid or ester families the yeast can feed on. The evidence there is looser than for comedogenicity — see our fungal-acne checker for context.