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Candelilla wax

CAS 8006-44-8 · 40/100 · High conf.

Concern score

40/100Moderate concern based on regulatory listings.
High confidence

Candelilla wax in plain language

What it is

On cosmetic ingredient lists it appears as “Candelilla cera”.

Also known as Candelilla cera · Euphorbia cerifera cera · Euphorbia cerifera wax · Euphorbia cerifera (candelilla) wax · Euphorbia cerifera (candelilla) wax extract · Candelilla

Show all 18 names

Candelilla wax (E902) · Euphorbia antisyphilitica leaf wax · Euphorbia cerifera leaf wax · Euphorbia occulta leaf wax · Noda wax nc 1630 · Tirucallia antisyphilitica leaf wax · E 902 · Ins NO.902 · INS-902 · candelila wax · euphoria cerifera (candelilla) wax · vegetable wax

What it does

Used in cosmetics as an emollient, an occlusive and a skin-conditioning agent. Euphorbia Cerifera Cera is a wax obtained from the Candelilla, Euphorbia cerifera, Euphorbiaceae.

  • Emollient
  • Occlusive
  • Skin conditioning
  • Astringent
  • Emulsion stabilising
  • Film forming
Is it a concern?
Moderate concern: no hazard classifications on record. It is listed for cosmetic use in the EU.

Why it's flagged

EPA CPDat observed this chemical in 3001 composition records across product categories including Furniture and furnishings, Construction and building materials, Personal care.

The score describes this ingredient's chemical identity — its hazard profile from published classifications and regulatory status — not the safety of any product it appears in.

Regulation

No restrictions found. Candelilla wax appears in these published regulatory listings.

  • Inactive ingredient in US drugs

Recorded in these product areas

  • Found in consumer products
  • Beauty
  • Cleaning
  • Industrial
  • USFDAinactive ingredient database4 entries
    • Route: ORAL; Dosage form: TABLET, FILM COATED; Potency: 0.8 mgSource →
    • Route: ORAL; Dosage form: TABLET, EXTENDED RELEASE; Maximum daily exposure: 3 mgSource →
    • Route: ORAL; Dosage form: TABLET, DELAYED RELEASE; Maximum daily exposure: 1 mgSource →
    • Route: ORAL; Dosage form: TABLET; Maximum daily exposure: 4 mgSource →
  • EUCosIngActive3 entries
    • Euphorbia Cerifera Cera is a wax obtained from the Candelilla, Euphorbia cerifera, EuphorbiaceaeSource →
    • Euphorbia Cerifera Wax is a wax obtained from Euphorbia cerifera. The accepted scientific name for Euphorbia cerifera is Euphorbia antisyphilitica.Source →
    • Candelilla Cera is the extract of the wax obtained from the candelilla, Euphorbia cerifera, EuphorbiaceaeSource →
  • EUEFSAEFSA opinion2 entries
    • Scientific Opinion on the evaluation of the substances currently on the list in the annex to Commission Directive 96/3/EC as acceptable previous cargoes for edible fats and oils - Part III of III (EFSA CONTAM)Source →
    • Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of candelilla wax (E 902) as a food additive (EFSA ANS)Source →
  • USFDAlisted in openFDA substance2 entries
    • openFDA substance registry classifies this ingredient as structurallydiverse.Source →
    • openFDA substance registry classifies this ingredient as concept.Source →
  • GLOBALJECFANOT SPECIFIEDJECFA evaluation lists ADI NOT SPECIFIED. Functional class: texturizer, thickener, carrier, carrier solvent, chewing gum base compound, clouding agent, glazing agent.
    • JECFA evaluation lists ADI NOT SPECIFIED. Functional class: texturizer, thickener, carrier, carrier solvent, chewing gum base compound, clouding agent, glazing agent.Source →
  • USEPAcommercial use observedEPA CPDat observed this chemical in 3001 composition records across product categories including Furniture and furnishings, Construction and building materials, Personal care. EPA CPDat classifies this chemical for functional uses including Softener and conditioner, Film former, Astringent.
    • EPA CPDat observed this chemical in 3001 composition records across product categories including Furniture and furnishings, Construction and building materials, Personal care. EPA CPDat classifies this chemical for functional uses including Softener and conditioner, Film former, Astringent.Source →

Expert safety opinions

Independent scientific assessments cited by the records we hold, with the year and link where the record gives one.

  • SCCS

    EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety

    No SCCS opinion on file.

  • CIR

    Cosmetic Ingredient Review (US expert panel)

    No CIR safety assessment on file.

  • EFSA

    European Food Safety Authority

    • Scientific Opinion on the evaluation of the substances currently on the list in the annex to Commission Directive 96/3/EC as acceptable previous cargoes for edible fats and oils - Part III of III (EFSA CONTAM)

      2012 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →

    • Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of candelilla wax (E 902) as a food additive (EFSA ANS)

      2012 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →

  • JECFA

    Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives

    • JECFA evaluation lists ADI NOT SPECIFIED. Functional class: texturizer, thickener, carrier, carrier solvent, chewing gum base compound, clouding agent, glazing agent.

      Year not recorded · GLOBAL JECFA listing · Read the source →

Evidence & sources

No graded research studies for Candelilla wax yet. This record is compiled from the published data sources below — registries and regulatory listings, not study findings.

8 data sources

Where this comes from

  • CosIng

    regulatory · updated 2026-09-23

    Open →

  • EFSA OpenFoodTox

    regulatory · updated 2026-10-04

    Open →

  • EPA Chemical and Products Database

    exposure · updated may 7, 2015

    Open →

  • EPA DSSTox Identifiers

    chemistry · updated 2025-12-29

    Open →

  • FDA Inactive Ingredient Database

    regulatory · updated 2026-01-09

    Open →

  • FDA GSRS UNII

    registry · updated 2026-02-26

    Open →

  • WHO JECFA Database

    regulatory · updated 2026-10-04

    Open →

  • openFDA Substance

    registry · updated 2026-05-24

    Open →
Reference links (1)
Openfda substance

codexalimentarius.net

Read →

Suitability

Context-specific fit derived from published classifications and the current ingredient evidence profile.

Food use

Food-use source coverage is present in the current record.

Good fit

The ingredient appears in food-oriented source coverage or allowed-use references, which makes food use easier to support than a context with no domain signal at all.

Fragrance avoidance

Not a strong fit for fragrance avoidance because it carries Fragrance.

Avoid

The ingredient itself is a fragrance-linked signal, so it is better treated as an avoid case when fragrance exposure is the main concern.

Where it has been recorded

How often EPA CPDat has listed Candelilla wax in a product composition. These are source records, not Greenveil catalog products.

Source records

3,001

Named organisations

6

Furniture and furnishingsConstruction and building materialsPersonal careConstruction

Typical roles

EmollientOcclusiveSkin conditioningAstringentEmulsion stabilisingFilm forming
See products using Candelilla wax →

Catalog

Found in these products

Their ingredient lists include Candelilla wax; each product's own rating depends on its whole formula, so it is shown on the product page, not here.

See all 250 →Find products without it →