Beeswax

INCI Name: Cera Alba

As a skincare ingredient, beeswax forms a protective barrier on the skin's surface that helps retain moisture and prevents dryness. It does not clog pores, allowing the skin to breathe. Additionally, beeswax has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, which can help soothe skin irritations and prevent infections. It is commonly used in lip balms, body lotions, and various creams, as it softens and hydrates the skin, contributing to its smoothness and health. Beeswax was indeed one of the main ingredients in the first Galenic cream, the famous "cold cream" or "cera galeni". This formulation was developed by Galen, a Greek physician from the 2nd century AD, and is considered one of the earliest cosmetic creams in history.

This cream combined olive oil, beeswax, and rose water. Beeswax was essential because it helped emulsify the oil and water, creating a stable cream with a consistent texture. Additionally, beeswax formed a protective layer on the skin, providing moisturizing and softening effects. Galen's formula was so effective that its basic idea has endured through the centuries, and modern cold creams still draw inspiration from this original recipe.