INGREDIENTS

BEESWAX (cera alba)

Beeswax (cera alba) is a natural, purified wax from honeycombs made by honey bees.

WHAT DOES IT DO?

 

Beeswax is an incredibly versatile ingredient found in a variety of our products. In our deodorant products, it is a skin conditioning agent that helps to reduce moisture loss. Beeswax also binds flavor to our dental floss, as well as makes the dental floss glide more easily.

 

HOW IS IT MADE?

 

Our Stewardship Model guides us to select ingredients which have been processed in a manner that supports our philosophy of human and environmental health.

 

Beeswax is a naturally-derived, renewable resource made by honey bees converting the nectar they gather from flowers. It is extracted from beehives, then purified and sterilized for commercial use. The extraction of the beeswax from the hive does not harm the bees.

 

WHAT ARE THE ALTERNATIVES?

 

Candelilla wax, carnauba wax or vegetable oils are natural alternatives. Synthetic beeswax or petroleum-derived waxes like paraffin can be used as an alternative to natural beeswax, but they do not meet our Stewardship Model standards for natural, responsible and sustainable.

 

IS THIS THE RIGHT OPTION FOR ME?

 

Beeswax is Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a miscellaneous and/or general purpose food additive.1

Tom’s of Maine recognizes that no two people are alike, and even with naturally derived ingredients, some individuals may develop an allergic reaction that is unique to them. As with any product, be sure to discontinue use if you experience discomfort or other indications that the product may not be appropriate for your individual body chemistry.

121 CFR184.1330