Is Beeswax Vegan?
No — produced by bees.
Contains or is derived from animal products.
Beeswax profile
Beeswax
- Also known as
- E901, Cera alba, Cera flava, White beeswax, Yellow beeswax
- Typical source
- Wax secreted by worker honeybees (Apis mellifera)
- Source type
- Animal
- Common function
- Glazing agent, emollient, and structural wax
- Vegan status
- Not vegan; produced by farmed bee colonies
- E-number
- E901
Detailed answer
No. Beeswax is not vegan. It is secreted by honeybees to build honeycomb and is used in food glazing, cosmetics, and candles.
Is beeswax vegan?
Beeswax is not vegan. Worker bees produce wax scales from glands and mould them into honeycomb cells for storing honey and raising brood. Commercial beeswax is harvested from managed hives, often by melting honeycomb after honey extraction. Vegans avoid it as an animal product from exploited colonies.
Beeswax in food vs cosmetics
In food, beeswax (E901) coats fruits, nuts, and candies to reduce moisture loss and add shine. In cosmetics, it appears as beeswax or cera alba and provides thickness and emollient feel in lip balm, lotion, and salves. The source is the same in both cases.
Label names
- Beeswax
- E901
- Cera alba (white beeswax)
- Cera flava (yellow beeswax)
- Wax (when specified as beeswax)
Beeswax vs common vegan waxes
| Beeswax | Carnauba wax | |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Honeybees | Carnauba palm leaves |
| Vegan? | No | Yes |
| E-number (food) | E901 | E903 |
| Typical use | Lip balm, fruit coating | Candy glaze, fruit coating |
Beeswax at a glance
- Vegan status
- Not vegan
- Source
- Honeybee wax secretion
- E-number
- E901
- Common in
- Lip balm, fruit wax, candles, candy
- Vegan swap
- Candelilla wax, carnauba wax, soy wax
Frequently asked questions
- Is E901 vegan?
- No. E901 is beeswax, secreted by honeybees.
- Is beeswax in fruit wax vegan?
- Often not. Many commercial fruit waxes blend beeswax with other waxes. Unwaxed produce or farmers' market fruit avoids this.
- Is cera alba vegan?
- No. Cera alba is the INCI name for white beeswax used in cosmetics.
- What do vegans use instead of beeswax?
- Candelilla wax, carnauba wax, and soy wax are common vegan replacements in cosmetics and candles.
- Is beeswax the same as honey?
- No, but both come from honeybees. Honey is nectar processed by bees; beeswax is a structural wax they secrete.
Evidence
Last verified August 2026
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Checked by Is This Vegan? · August 2026