How we scored it
Where it comes from
Manufactured either by Fischer-Tropsch synthesis from natural-gas/coal syngas or by polymerising petrochemical ethylene. Treated the same as mineral wax and paraffin by this site's convention.
In plain English
A hydrocarbon wax built up from small petrochemical building blocks via Fischer-Tropsch synthesis or ethylene polymerisation. It thickens products and stabilises emulsions.
CosIng definition: Synthetic Wax is a hydrocarbon wax derived generally through Fischer-Tropsch or ethylene polymerization processes.
Natural alternatives with the same function
Dried, ground baobab seeds used as a gentle abrasive in scrubs. It is simply the milled seed, with…
Agave Americana Leaf Powder 100% natural originA gentle exfoliating powder made from dried, ground agave leaves. It is simply processed plant material, nothing synthetic…
Alumina 100% natural originA mineral powder (aluminum oxide) refined from bauxite ore. Used in cosmetics as an abrasive, absorbent, bulking agent,…
Aluminum Silicate 100% natural originA mineral powder used as an abrasive, filler and anti-caking agent in powders and cosmetics. It comes from…
Amorphophallus Konjac Root Powder 100% natural originA gentle abrasive powder made from dried, ground konjac root. It comes from the root of the konjac…
Angelica Dahurica Root Powder 100% natural originA powder made from dried, ground angelica root. Used as a mild abrasive and fragrance ingredient. Simply the…
References
- 1ISO 16128-1:2016 and ISO 16128-2:2017 — Guidelines on technical definitions and criteria for natural and organic cosmetic ingredients and products. ISO, Geneva.
- 2SYNTHETIC WAX. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
- 3SYNTHETIC WAX. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=SYNTHETIC%20WAX