Is Beeswax Vegan?

Beeswax

Beeswax is a natural wax substance that honey bees produce and form in order to make hives, store honey and keep their larval safe. It’s made up from fatty-acids,  esters and long-chain alcohols secreted from the worker bees wax-producing glands. 

It’s been used by humans for thousands of years throughout history from making candles and as a sealant to modelling, painting and ancient weaponry.

Is beeswax considered vegan?

As beeswax is produced by animals it isn’t considered vegan, even if you’re not eating it. Veganism extends to more than just what you cook with, from the materials that clothes are made from and even to what’s put in toiletries and cleaning products. 

Some vegans might be less fazed considering bees are insects, but generally speaking, no, beeswax isn’t vegan. 

How about ethically sourced beeswax? 

Again, even ethically sourced beeswax wouldn’t be considered vegan, however, it might incline more vegetarian and animal-conscious consumers to buy products with beeswax in.

Want to see our favourite vegan honey alternatives? Check out this post for all you need to know. 

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