15+ Creative Ways to Use Beeswax

Beeswax is one of those ingredients that, once you start using it, you’ll wonder how you ever went without it.

It can be used to make homemade balms, candles, shine wooden furniture, and it can even be used to waterproof fabrics! Best of all, it’s a natural and biodegradable alternative to so many store-bought products.

As someone who loves making my own skin care, hair care, and cleaning products, it’s no surprise that I always keep beeswax on hand!

As you’ll see below, I use it in so many different ways beyond just making candles (though I do love that, too!).

If you’ve ever taken the time to learn about bees, you’d be amazed; I know I was! Not only do they give us the sweet treat of honey, but they also produce beeswax, which has so many practical uses.

Now, before we go stocking up on beeswax, I strongly suggest seeing if you can find it locally. That way, you will have a better chance of getting it from an ethical source that doesn’t harm the bees.

If that’s not possible, I have linked two of my favorite online sources at the bottom of the post. Both openly share their harvesting practices and prioritize ethical, sustainable methods.

Benefits of Beeswax

While making candles, like these homemade taper candles, might be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of beeswax, there are actually many other uses for this unique product.

DIY & Home Uses

• Homemade Candles: Homemade beeswax candles burn longer and harder than many other types of wax, making them a great choice for DIY candle-making. Some sources even believe they provide a cleaner burn than other candles, such as paraffin candles.
• Wood Polish & Sealant: Beeswax can be used to protect and shine wooden surfaces, cutting boards, and furniture, as you can see in this homemade beeswax furniture polish and my article on leather shoe care.
• DIY Lip Balms: It’s no surprise that beeswax is the key ingredient in many lip products, including this DIY lip balm and this homemade chapstick recipe. It gives these products a smooth, creamy texture and provides a protective barrier.

Why Beeswax is Used in DIYs

• Thickens & Stabilizes DIY Recipes: In homemade skin salves, lotions, and balms, beeswax helps thicken and create a long-lasting consistency.
• Water-Resistant Barrier: Beeswax can add a protective layer to leather goods, fabric, or even homemade food wraps to make them more durable.
• Helps Candles Burn Longer: Compared to soy wax, beeswax has a higher melting point and longer burn time, meaning it burns more efficiently, allowing you to get more out of each candle.
• Hardens Soap Bars: Beeswax is a natural hardening agent, which helps give homemade beeswax soap bars a firmer texture. This makes the soap more durable and less likely to soften or dissolve quickly, giving you a longer-lasting bar that holds its shape.

Sustainability & Eco-Friendly Uses of Beeswax

Note that this completely depends on how the beeswax is harvested. While beeswax is a renewable resource, it’s important to ensure ethical practices are used in the harvesting process.

Make sure to research companies that share this information before purchasing beeswax.

• Plastic-Free Alternative: Beeswax is a great option for replacing plastic wrap in the kitchen. While it does have more of an upfront cost, they are reusable and, therefore, help cut down on waste!
• Biodegradable & Natural: Unlike synthetic waxes or petroleum-based products, beeswax naturally breaks down, making it an environmentally friendly choice.
• Supports Local Beekeepers: By purchasing sustainably harvested beeswax, you’re supporting local beekeepers and promoting sustainable beekeeping practices, which helps protect pollinator populations.
• Versatile & Multi-Purpose: Beeswax can be used in a variety of DIY projects, from homemade cosmetics to natural cleaning products, making it a versatile and eco-friendly ingredient for your projects.

Benefits of Beeswax for the Skin

• Creates a Protective Barrier: Beeswax forms a natural barrier on the skin, helping to lock in moisture while still allowing the skin to breathe.
• Adds Moisture Without Feeling Greasy: According to this article, beeswax is a natural humectant that locks in hydration.
• Helps Lock in Hydration: Beeswax is often used in lotions, salves, and lip balms to help seal in moisture and keep skin feeling soft.

Benefits of Beeswax for Hair

• My husband loves beeswax for keeping his beard and mustache in place. It adds just enough hold to shape and tame stray hairs without feeling stiff or greasy. I even use it in his DIY mustache wax for a natural, long-lasting hold!
• Beeswax helps lock in moisture, as we already mentioned, making it a great addition to DIY conditioner bars or a homemade deep conditioning treatment for smoother, more manageable hair.

Precaution: Overuse of beeswax can clog hair follicles, and it is best to get it out of the hair after use.

Types of Beeswax

The two main types of beeswax are white and yellow beeswax. Yellow beeswax is refined, and white beeswax is naturally bleached by exposure to air.

Beeswax can be cosmetic grade, industrial grade, organic, or raw. As with all things, not all beeswax is the same. Therefore, it is important to find a reliable source that is natural and not treated with chemicals.

Finding a local beekeeper is ideal but not always practical. If purchasing beeswax online, look for pure, organic, unrefined wax.

Where to Buy Beeswax

Beeswax usually comes in blocks, as you can see from these beeswax blocks from Sperry Bees or beeswax pellets from Beesworks.

If you are making something that requires you to melt the beeswax, it will be best to use pellets or shred the block to speed up the melting process.

What is Better, Yellow or White Beeswax?

Beeswax that is pure, filtered, and unrefined is typically an ivory color. Darker yellow beeswax has been heated, filtered, and cleaned. Pure white beeswax has been bleached.

If you are making a DIY beeswax product that you want to add color to, it will be best to use white beeswax. Yellow beeswax is best for skincare and haircare as it is more natural.

Check out my beeswax vs. soy wax comparison here.

So whether you’re making candles, DIY skincare, or ditching plastic wrap in the kitchen, beeswax is one of those must-have ingredients that always comes in handy.

Just be sure to source it sustainably, and you’ll have an eco-friendly staple ready for all kinds of projects!