Recipes
Cosmetic and Household products made with Beeswax
Working Safely with Beeswax
Before you melt your first block of beeswax you should be aware of the following:
Beeswax, like other waxes, is flammable and will ignite if it reaches a high enough temperature. The safest way to melt it is to use a double boiler, or set it in a pot inside a pot of water. Don’t melt it in the microwave; the uneven heating can result in areas in the wax hot enough to catch fire. Do not place a pot of beeswax directly on the stove.
One approach that works very well is to use an old crock pot or deep fryer (often available at second hand stores) as your heat source. Put some water into it, set it to a temperature below the boiling point of water, and set a clean juice can of wax in the water. Using one of these small appliances allows you to do your work away from the kitchen if you wish to, and eliminates the risk of starting a fire by dripping wax on a hot stove element.
Melted beeswax is hot and will burn skin if it comes in contact. It is a good idea to use oven mitts when pouring or stirring the wax.
Large pieces of wax will melt from the bottom up, and the melted wax will expand. Molten wax can "errupt" from a pot of what looks like solid wax.
Keep a distance away from the pot until there is melted wax on the top of the mass.
To measure a small amount of unmelted wax, grate it or scrape it off the block of wax with a knife to obtain the amount you need.
Moisture Bars
2 Oz. Coco Butter
1 Tbs. Wheat Germ Oil
1 Tbs. Emou Oil
1 Tbs. Shea Butter
1 Tbs. Avocado Oil
1/2 Oz. Bee's Wax
5 drops of the Essential oil of your choice.
Melt all ingredients together in a double boiler. stir so the Bee's wax is evenly distributed. Then pour into a Soap Mold and let harden. When hard remove and just rub on skin. Excellent for dry skin.
Useful web sites
Aussie Candle Supplies - ACS provides Australia's largest and most comprehensive range of candle supplies.