Beeswax is one of the coolest substances, in my eyes. It’s completely natural, being that it is actually formed by the worker bees (all females) which secret it through 8 wax-producing mirror glands on the inner sides of their abdomen. These mirror glands are the reason for the honeycomb shape.
Interestingly enough, the comb actually begins colorless but as more and more pollen is brought to the comb, it changes to a yellow and sometimes brown color which is what we are more familiar with.
Honeybees use these combs to raise their young in where they fill it with honey and pollen to feed the young. Then these combs are capped for storage.
Another cool fact about beeswax: bees that create wax need to consume 8 times more honey than their counter parts (the drones — or males).
Apart from the bees using beeswax to build the foundations to their hives, people have used beeswax for many, many years.
Benefits of Beeswax
Beeswax has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-allergenic, and germicidal antioxidant properties which makes it absolutely wonderful for wound feeling. Beeswax is also known for locking in moisture, protecting skin from environmental factors and fostering skin cells. Because of its moisture locking properties, it is naturally nourishing and effectively softens skin. It is even speculated that honeycomb has traces of Vitamin A which help restore and replenish skin.
It is no wonder that beeswax is used in numerous beauty and personal care products, along with other really neat things.