Beeswax in Pomade: What Cera Alba Does in Your Hair

Beeswax in pomade is a classic that was used long before modern styling products. On the ingredient list it appears as cera alba. Here you'll learn what job the wax does, how it works with other bases and what to keep in mind when styling.

What is cera alba?

Cera alba is the INCI name for purified beeswax. Bees produce it to build their honeycombs. For cosmetics it's melted and filtered. It's solid at room temperature and becomes soft and pliable with the warmth of your hands.

What beeswax does in pomade

• Grip: the wax gives pomade structure. Your hair can be shaped and stays there.
• Hold: the more wax, the firmer the hold. That's why beeswax is a key lever in the formula.
• Consistency: without wax, an oil-based pomade would be too soft and collapse in your hair.

Why beeswax doesn't work alone

Pure wax would be too firm and too sticky. In a good pomade it works as part of a team. Petrolatum provides glide and shine, lanolin a smooth texture. What petrolatum does exactly is covered in pomade with Vaseline, more on lanolin in lanolin for hair.

How to use beeswax pomade

1. Warm it: rub a pea-sized amount between your fingertips until soft.
2. Spread it: work it into dry or towel-dried hair from back to front.
3. Shape it: set the direction with a comb. Add more for extra hold.
4. Wash it out: with shampoo, because wax repels water. Guide at washing out oil-based pomade.

In winter the pomade is firmer, in summer softer. How to store it: storing pomade properly.

Where the beeswax comes from

Not all beeswax is the same. Origin, purity and processing affect color, scent and consistency. Look for makers who say openly where their wax comes from.

The right pomade

NO STYLIST Pomade Pure Lemongrass is oil-based and combines petrolatum, beeswax and lanolin. It gives you a strong, pliable hold, a silky shine and a water-repellent texture. The scent comes only from lemongrass oil, patchouli oil and lavender extract. Handmade in small batches in Germany, free shipping to Germany and Austria. To try it, there is a 10 g size with a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.

The beeswax in NO STYLIST pomade comes from Germany and is processed in a small manufactory in Germany. More on the production page.

Frequently asked questions

Is beeswax good for hair?

Beeswax is a proven styling ingredient for hold and structure. It sits on the hair and washes out with shampoo.

Is beeswax pomade vegan?

No. Beeswax is an animal product.

Why is my beeswax pomade sticky?

Usually it wasn't warmed enough or you used too much. Rub it longer between your fingers and start with less.