Carnauba wax is a secretion of the Brazilian palm Copernicia cerifera, which produces the wax in the cuticula of the fronds. The leaves are harvested from trees growing in the wild by cutting the leaves, drying them in the sun and threshing. Carnauba wax has an extremely narrow melting curve with a melting point of approximately 84°C. The wax, which exhibits high crystallinity and a high degree of contraction, is very hard and brittle. Carnauba wax also has highly favorable emulsification properties and an excellent capacity for binding ester oils and mineral oil. It raises the melting point of oil gels; therefore, carnauba wax is a preferred additive in lipsticks and lip balms, and is highly suitable for use in mascaras. It provides glossy and lustrous surfaces.

Source: Cosmetic Formulation Principles and Practice - Heather A.E. Benson, Michael S. Roberts, Vânia Rodrigues Leite-Silva, Kenneth A. Walters

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