Description
Pure beeswax
This information on beeswax is taken from the book “Cosmétiques : faites-les vous-même” published by Éditions Bleu Majorelle.
Beeswax (scientifically named cera alba) has been used since ancient times for its many properties. To cite just one ancient therapeutic use, in Roman times it was applied directly to the skin to help heal wounds, the wax having the ability to accelerate healing.
This wax comes from the secretion of the bees’ wax glands located between the rings of their abdomen, from a transformation of nectar. The wax exudes and solidifies into scales, which the bee detaches with the claws of its hind legs. The bee then triturates and kneads the wax with its mandibles before using it.
This wax has two uses. Firstly, the capping (closing) of the brood cells and the storehouse for food, honey and pollen. Closing a cell is a considerable task, which can take up to 6 hours. Secondly, the construction of the hive’s combs. Rémy Chauvin talks of “magic”.
Building a comb is an eminent social act, symbolizing the solidarity and complementarity of bees. Clinging to each other by their legs, bees form veritable bridges.
With phenomenal dexterity, in the darkness of the hive, the bees shape the cells with admirable regularity.
It’s true that the geometric constructions of the hive obey perfect geometric laws. A spoke is made up of two rows of hexagonal cells placed back to back, in parallel series, with each spoke at a precise distance from its neighbor.
The hexagonal shape is common to all social insects when building their nests, and there’s a reason for this: if the cells were round, octagonal or even pentagonal, there would be empty spaces between them.
With one kilo of wax, bees can build 77,000 cells!
More than 100 workers are needed to build a single cell, with each bee making its own contribution to the common edifice. They produce around 850 cells per square decimetre of radius. This wax is white when first produced, turning yellow later on, the coloring being due to pollen and propolis […].
Tribute to Galen’s cerat
It was Galen, the legendary Greek physician, who came up with the idea of combining beeswax with other elements to make a preparation with a certain consistency, conferred by the wax, but fluid enough to be used externally, a preparation known as “cerat”.
Galen’s cerate is reputed to have several indications: it calms skin irritations, accelerates wound healing, soothes burns and relieves rheumatic pain.
Its original formula is as follows: beeswax 8, sweet almond oil 55, rose water 16, whiting 16 g, rose essence 11 drops.
Since whaling was banned in 1982, this traditional Galen cerat formula has been modified. The current “French National Formulary”, our pharmacopoeia, indicates this composition: beeswax 13 g, sweet almond oil 53.50 g, borax 0.50 g, rosewater 33 g.
The famous “Cold cream” is none other than Galen’s cerate enriched with tincture of benzoin […].
Beeswax is invaluable in natural cosmetics, as it is an excellent emulsifier that makes emulsions possible and stable, i.e. the theoretically impossible mixing of a fatty substance and water (for a beauty cream we say “oily phase” and “aqueous phase”).
It has virtues other than its emulsifying function. It is a texturizing agent that thickens the products in which it is incorporated. It thickens them. And that’s not all: it gives preparations a softer texture and improves their creaminess.
As an emollient, it makes skin softer and more supple. It also has a film-forming action that protects the skin from environmental aggressions.
It contributes to the normalization of its pH, has purifying virtues and a healing function.
Recyclable and reusable 50 g kraft bag.
Practical & space-saving.
Airtight & excellent moisture barrier.
Shelf life 12 months after opening.
Precautions for use
Natural ingredients for cosmetic use are active products. For this reason, we recommend a test application in the crease of the elbow before use.
Avoid contact with eyes. Keep out of reach and sight of children. Cosmetic product for external use.
Store in a cool place, away from air, moisture, light and heat. Close the sachet tightly after each use.
Our products
“Le Jardin de Sidi B” products are made in France from raw materials from all over the world, rigorously selected by our quality department. For each ingredient, we have a complete set of data attesting to its safety. safety of raw materials and their origin or organic origin.
We work to minimize the number of intermediaries between producer and consumer, and we take particular care to ensure that our products are made to the highest quality standards.(1) we offer you respect people and nature thanks to local logistics and modes of transport that are as environmentally-friendly as possible.
Our products(1) are packaged in France by ICNV (
https://www.icnv.fr
) registered with the Chambre des Métiers et de l’Artisanat ISO 22716 standard and registered with ANSM as a cosmetics establishment. French SME offers an innovative Boutique-Laboratory concept (link to video) and totally in line with our philosophy.
Le Jardin de Sidi B attaches particular importance to the quality of its products and safety of its customers.
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