kandelilla

Kandelilla refers to the wax obtained from the leaves of certain Euphorbia shrubs, most notably Euphorbia antisyphilitica and Euphorbia cerifera. The common name comes from Spanish for "little candle," reflecting its historical use in candle-making before paraffin wax became prevalent. The wax is primarily produced in arid regions of northern Mexico and the southwestern United States.

The source plant is a small, drought-tolerant desert shrub that grows in scrubby zones and along dry washes. Harvesting involves stripping the green leaves and top layers, after which the material is boiled in water to loosen wax from the leaf surfaces; the wax is then separated, refined, and solidified into blocks or pellets. Yields are relatively low, typically a few percent by weight of the harvested foliage.

Kandelilla wax is a hard, brittle wax with a melting point around 68–72 C. Chemically it consists mainly of long-chain esters of fatty acids and long-chain alcohols, with smaller amounts of hydrocarbons and free acids. It is valued in cosmetics as a thickener, emollient, and film-forming agent, contributing rigidity and gloss to lip balms, mascaras, and creams. It is also used in polishes, coatings, and some candle formulations.

Environmental and regulatory aspects vary by country; in the cosmetics industry, kandelilla wax is generally regarded as safe when properly refined. Sustainable harvesting practices are encouraged to protect desert ecosystems where the plants occur.