| What is it? |
A wax made from the waxy coating boiled off of bayberries. |
| Appearance |
Dusty brownish green lumps. |
| Texture |
Dry |
| Scent |
Amazing; warm and spicy, and smells like the the forest. I love it! |
| Absorbency Speed |
Average to slow, depending on the recipe it’s in. |
| Approximate Melting Point |
45°C/113°F |
| Solubility |
Oil |
| Why do we use it in formulations? |
It’s a relatively good thickener, and it contributes a great forest-like scent. |
| Do you need it? |
It’s a good buy if you’re vegan, or if you adore the smell of the forest. |
| Refined or unrefined? |
Unrefined! |
| Strengths |
Smells fantastic, and is fairly close to beeswax for a vegan alternative. |
| Weaknesses |
As far as waxes go it’s a weak thickener with a low melting point, so you’ll probably need to pair it with other waxes. Check out this experiment to learn more. |
| Alternatives & Substitutions |
Nada. It’s very unique. |
| How to Work with It |
It’s great in balms and salves as a thickener and added lovely forest scent. |
| Storage & Shelf Life |
Stored somewhere cool, dark, and dry, bayberry wax should have an indefinite shelf life. |
| Tips, Tricks, and Quirks |
It’s commonly used in candles for its distinctive scent. |
| Recommended starter amount |
100g (3.3oz) |
| Where to Buy it |
Buy it from an online DIY ingredient supplier. |
Bayberry Wax
Originally published on September 2, 2016