Veganism, Beekeeping, and the Case for Organic Beeswax
On this little planet we call home, creatures both big and small, call it home as well. When too many companies capitalize on these voiceless beings, in oftentimes harmful ways, abstaining from those products and opting for vegan ones is a beautiful way to advocate for creatures who have every right to live here comfortably. It’s why we choose not to use carmine in our cosmetics—an ingredient that comes from crushed beetles to make red pigment. Because beauty should never come before quality of life for the animals we share our planet with.
However, when you think about it, beeswax is one of those tricky in-between animal by-products. It’s not vegan since it’s made by bees, but when harvested the right way it doesn’t harm them either. Which makes you wonder, is using beeswax truly cruel?
Veganism aside, there’s no denying the benefits of beeswax. When it’s so good for maintaining healthy, skin and lips, it’s tempting to want to use it.
Not to mention it’s a great natural alternative to other moisturizing occlusives like petroleum jelly. When petroleum jelly can clog pores, doesn’t provide any hydration, and may contain PAHs (those are associated with cancer – yikes!), beeswax will give your skin long-term hydration without the worries of also applying cancer-causing chemicals.
But looking beyond the benefits of beeswax (because animal welfare should always trump beauty), beekeeping poses many benefits to bees themselves.
Let’s face it—bees are endangered. And when these cute little creatures are responsible for keeping so much of our planet alive, it’s especially important to do what we can to save them.
Cue beekeeping. Beekeeping is so much more than just harvesting honey and beeswax. Beekeepers ensure the safety of the hive, encouraging healthy colonies through proper hive maintenance. And by doing so, beekeepers are lending a tender hand in the survival of this endangered species.
To keep things truly cruelty-free, organic beeswax should be the only beeswax on your radar. That’s because organic beeswax is under lots of scrutiny to achieve that label. This means bees are unharmed and are not subjected to unethical practices when the beeswax is collected.
Since bees travel to collect pollen (sometimes up to two miles from the hive!), it also means the surrounding areas must also abide by organic practices, so no pesticides or fertilizers with chemicals are used. This keeps bees safe from harmful chemicals while also keeping you safe from consuming those chemicals as well.
But we’re not just all talk either. We source our beeswax from ethical beekeepers who abide by organic practices to keep your favorite Henné products organic too. While keeping your skin and lips healthy is the foundation of Henné, keeping all creatures, no matter how small, safe, is our top priority too.
So, while beeswax isn’t inherently vegan, its farming practices don’t have to be cruel. Our relationship with bees can be mutually beneficial and at the end of the day, while you’re saving your dry skin and lips with beeswax, we’ll bee busy (get it?) saving the bees through our relationship with ethical beekeepers.
However, when you think about it, beeswax is one of those tricky in-between animal by-products. It’s not vegan since it’s made by bees, but when harvested the right way it doesn’t harm them either. Which makes you wonder, is using beeswax truly cruel?
Benefits of Beeswax
Veganism aside, there’s no denying the benefits of beeswax. When it’s so good for maintaining healthy, skin and lips, it’s tempting to want to use it.
Not to mention it’s a great natural alternative to other moisturizing occlusives like petroleum jelly. When petroleum jelly can clog pores, doesn’t provide any hydration, and may contain PAHs (those are associated with cancer – yikes!), beeswax will give your skin long-term hydration without the worries of also applying cancer-causing chemicals.
Benefits of Beekeeping
But looking beyond the benefits of beeswax (because animal welfare should always trump beauty), beekeeping poses many benefits to bees themselves.
Let’s face it—bees are endangered. And when these cute little creatures are responsible for keeping so much of our planet alive, it’s especially important to do what we can to save them.
Cue beekeeping. Beekeeping is so much more than just harvesting honey and beeswax. Beekeepers ensure the safety of the hive, encouraging healthy colonies through proper hive maintenance. And by doing so, beekeepers are lending a tender hand in the survival of this endangered species.
Why Does Organic Beeswax Matter?
To keep things truly cruelty-free, organic beeswax should be the only beeswax on your radar. That’s because organic beeswax is under lots of scrutiny to achieve that label. This means bees are unharmed and are not subjected to unethical practices when the beeswax is collected.
Since bees travel to collect pollen (sometimes up to two miles from the hive!), it also means the surrounding areas must also abide by organic practices, so no pesticides or fertilizers with chemicals are used. This keeps bees safe from harmful chemicals while also keeping you safe from consuming those chemicals as well.
Henné Beeswax – Where Does it Come From?
But we’re not just all talk either. We source our beeswax from ethical beekeepers who abide by organic practices to keep your favorite Henné products organic too. While keeping your skin and lips healthy is the foundation of Henné, keeping all creatures, no matter how small, safe, is our top priority too.
So, while beeswax isn’t inherently vegan, its farming practices don’t have to be cruel. Our relationship with bees can be mutually beneficial and at the end of the day, while you’re saving your dry skin and lips with beeswax, we’ll bee busy (get it?) saving the bees through our relationship with ethical beekeepers.
