| What is it? |
Sunflower wax is a vegan wax made from the winterization of sunflower seed oil. |
| INCI |
Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax |
| Appearance |
Dusty beige pellets; typical of many other waxes. |
| Usage rate |
Review the results of this experiment to learn more; I likely wouldn’t use it much above 30% as it is such a potent hardener. |
| Texture |
Hard, smooth pellets. |
| Scent |
Nothing noticeable |
| Absorbency Speed |
Varies with concentration. Above 30% mixtures don’t seem to absorb at all. Lower usage rates tend towards slow absorbency rates. Review the results of this experiment to learn more. |
| Approximate Melting Point |
74–77°C (165–171°F) |
| Solubility |
Oil |
| Why do we use it in formulations? |
Sunflower wax is included in formulations for hardening and thickening. It has a creamy skin feel that is somewhat similar to beeswax, but hard to find in vegan waxes. |
| Do you need it? |
No, but if you are vegan I would recommend it more as vegans don’t use beeswax. |
| Refined or unrefined? |
Sunflower wax only exists as a refined product. |
| Strengths |
Very potent hardening wax with a unique creamy/astringent skin feel. |
| Weaknesses |
Harder to find than other vegan waxes. |
| Alternatives & Substitutions |
I’d probably try a blend of beeswax (for the creaminess) and candelilla or carnauba wax (for the hardness). |
| How to Work with It |
Include sunflower wax in your heated oil phase |
| Storage & Shelf Life |
Stored somewhere cool, dark, and dry, sunflower wax should last at least 3 years. |
| Tips, Tricks, and Quirks | |
| Recommended starter amount |
30g (1.06oz) |
| Where to Buy it |
Buy it from an online DIY ingredient supplier. |
Sunflower Wax
Originally published on October 24, 2019