Is Beeswax (E901) vegan?
Not vegan
No — beeswax is secreted by honeybees to build the hive.
Also listed as: cera alba, E901
Key facts
- Verdict
- Not vegan
- Category
- Cosmetic
- Also listed as
- cera alba, E901
- Best swap
- Candelilla wax
Why
Taking wax means destroying comb the colony spent honey to build. It appears in lip balm, candles, food glazes and polish.
What to check on the label
- Cera alba in cosmetics
- E901 as a fruit or sweet glaze
- Candles and food wraps
Swap it for
Candelilla waxCarnauba waxSoy or rapeseed wax
Questions people ask
Is candelilla a direct swap?
Nearly — it is harder, so use around 25% less in balms.
Are beeswax wraps vegan?
No, but plant-wax wraps work the same way.
More cosmetic checks
Reviewed 2026-09-16 by the Veg.ac editorial team · Free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 with a link back.