Beeswax can be found in many products ranging from candles to cosmetics but, is beeswax vegan or vegetarian?
Many vegetarians will consider beeswax a vegetarian-friendly product and include it in their lifestyle, whereas vegans may debate the use of beeswax due to some of the farming practices used in the honey bee industry.
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Is Beewax Vegetarian
Vegetarianism includes a wide variety of definitions and lifestyles.
Many vegetarians still use animal products as long as it isn’t the flesh or meat of the animal.
In this case, beeswax would be considered a vegetarian product.
Why Would Beeswax Not Be Vegetarian
Many vegetarians extend their personal beliefs and lifestyle to include omitting products where animals or the environment may be harmed in the process.
In this case, beeswax would not be considered vegetarian and would be avoided.
Is Beeswax Vegan
Vegans live a lifestyle that completely omits foods and products where animals are killed or harmed in any other way.
As well as avoiding products and byproducts from animals many may also be concerned with the environment and the impacts that we as humans make on it.
Veganism is a complete lifestyle, not just a dietary choice.
Beewax would not be considered a vegan product to most vegans.
Why Is Beeswax Not Vegam
Beeswax is the waxy substance that worker bees created in order to build their hives and store the honey that they make.
Since Beeswax is essentially their home and food storage, removing it for human use would not be something vegans would agree with.
Is Beeswax Cruelty Free
Many vegans would not consider beeswax a cruelty-free product.
This can be debated by some and isn’t exactly black and white.
There are many framing methods used in the honey industry that are not even close to being cruelty-free.
Including lighting entire hives on fire at the end of the farming season because it’s too expensive to maintain the hives during the winter.
Each season farmers may start over with a brand new hive.
Can Vegetarians Or Vegans Eat Honey?
Is Beeswax Ethical
Beewax isn’t a completely ethical product.
The beeswax needs to be scraped off of the hive leaving nothing behind.
You can look at it as someone coming into your kitchen and taking your food supply first, then they come back and take your cabinets and pantry where you stored the food.
Not only do you need to get more food, but you also need to create a whole new place to store the food.
Do Some Vegan Eat Beeswax
Many vegans will not consume beeswax since it is not considered vegan.
Is Beeswax Edible For Humans
Beeswax is edible and contains many vitamins and nutrients. It’s also been known to reduce the cholesterol of some due to containing long-chain fatty acids and well as certain alcohols.
Do Vegans Use Beeswax Candles
Since most vegans will not use beeswax products due to the farming methods used in the honey industry they will often not use beeswax candles.
Are Beeswax Candles Healthy
Beeswax candles are 100% natural and do not include the same harsh chemicals that standard chemicals contain.
When you burn a beeswax candle instead of polluting your environment with harmful chemicals you are actually releasing negative Ions which are known to clean the air.
What Is Beeswax Used For
Beeswax is used in many products beyond your stand candle.
You can find beeswax in the following products.
- Cosmetics
- Food Additives
- Beeswax Foods Wraps
- Oil Paints
- Shoe Polish
- Furniture Polish
- Knife Handles
- Tambourines
What Cosmetics Contain Beeswax
You will find beeswax in a large number of cosmetics including lip balms, lip glosses, moisturizers, mascara, hand creams, concealers, anti-aging products, and skin creams.
What Food Additves Contain Beeswax
Beeswax is a food additive that is used in many different foods, you will often find it as a honey flavoring or as a coating on chewing gum and candy.
What Are Beeswax Food Wraps
Beeswax foods wraps are often used as a replacement for plastic food wraps and traditional aluminum foil.
Why Is Beeswax In Oil Paints
Beeswax is an ingredient in many oil paints as a stabilizer or a bulking agent.
Why Is Beeswax In Shoe Polish
Beeswax is used in shoe polish since it gives shoes a nice shine.
Why Is Beeswax In Furniture Polish
Very much like why beeswax is in shoe polish, the beeswax in furniture polish Igives furniture a nice finish.
Why Is Beeswax In Knife Handles
Beeswax can be mixed with one resin and sawdust to make the glue that is used to attach knife handles to the blades.
How Is Beeswax In Tambourines
Tambourines are a bit of an odd surprise but, beeswax is added to the membranes of tambourines and drums in order to provide the perfect friction for thumb rolls.
Final Thoughts
Although, some may be able to debate if beeswax is vegan or not. For most, it is not a vegan product and will not be used or consumed in any way by strict vegans.
On the other hand, due to a completely different lifestyle, most vegetarians would use and eat products that contain beeswax.
It’s completely up to you and is truly based on your life and beliefs.
If you choose not to use and consume beeswax you do need to be diligent about the products that may contain beeswax that is not obvious.
As a vegan, this type of sleuthing is nothing new.
