Carnauba Wax: What It Is and Why It's Used

Origin

Carnauba wax comes from the leaves of the carnauba palm (Copernicia prunifera), native to northeastern Brazil. The palm secretes wax as a protective coating against the intense sun and arid conditions of the region. Harvesting involves cutting the leaves and allowing them to dry, after which the wax is mechanically separated. Brazil remains the world's only significant supplier.

Why It's Used

Carnauba has the highest melting point of any commercially used natural wax (around 82–86°C), which makes it the hardest natural wax available. In lip products it is used alongside beeswax to increase the melting point and structural firmness of the stick format. It produces a high-gloss finish.

Elsewhere

Carnauba wax is used to polish cars, floors, shoes, and furniture. It appears as a food additive (E903) on fruit, cheese, and confectionery surfaces. It is used in pharmaceutical tablet coatings and in dental products.

What the Framework Sees

Question 3, completing the comparison from the previous profile.

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