Why Beeswax?

For my second blog, I thought I'd explain the reason why we use beeswax in so many of our products. 
When we started our plastic-free journey, particularly the soap making section, I was keen to use the most natural and local ingredients as possible. After some research into what makes a good bar of soap (namely a hard bar that lasts a long time, with plenty of bubbles) it led me down the beeswax and honey route. This fit in perfectly with the natural and local sentiment, so I contacted a local beekeeper and it all went from there.

The majority of our wax comes from Mersea, our lovely little island where we live. Occasionally we have to head across the Strood (the causeway which floods twice a day if there's a high tide!) to local villages including Fingringhoe and Gt Wigborough, but this is only if my Mersea bee keeper can't keep up with my extortionate beeswax habit! 

​It's estimated that one out of every three bites of food is made possible because of bees and their ability to pollinate crops.

​How is beeswax made?

Beeswax is produced by honey bees. They have glands on their abdomen that produce the wax, which they then discard in the hive. To start with, it is clear, and only changes to it's beautiful yellow form once it has been in contact with the pollen collected by the bees. The bees use the wax to build honeycomb cells, which they use to house their young, and store their honey. They seal each section of the honeycomb to prevent water getting in. This is very important, as water can lead to the honey going off. Beeswax is usually collected at the same time as the honey. If removed correctly, no harm comes to the bees. The beeswax is cleaned by simply boiling and filtering to remove any impurities. 

​Beeswax in cosmetics

Our main cosmetic product we make is soap, and we the Cold Process method for all our beeswax soap bars. Adding beeswax to a cold process bar of soap means it is harder, and therefore lasts longer. There's nothing worse than having a lovely bar of soap, but it disappearing before your eyes because it's not hard enough! You only need around 1-2% of beeswax in a bar of soap in order to do this, and adding too much can mean less bubbles. 
Beeswax also creates a protective layer around your skin, allowing all the other oils and butter to sink in and keeping them there. It's also a 'humectant' which means it attracts water, and helps to keep the skin hydrated. It heals and softens skin, and is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, helping conditions such as acne, stretch marks, dry skin and eczema. 
You can also find Vitamin A in beeswax, which is great for wrinkles and age spots, and suitable for even the most sensitive of skins. 

Honeycomb Beeswax Soap

£4.50

100g

Handmade here on Mersea, our Honeycomb soap uses Honey Fragrance Oil along with the other raw natural ingredients to give it a sweet, soothing aroma.

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Honey and Orange Beeswax Soap

£4.50

100g

Our usual creamy bar of soap, but with a vesty orange kick. Made using olive oil infused with oranges and orange zest, along with all our usual natural ingredients.

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Honey And Oat Beeswax Soap

£4.50

100g

This beautifully exfoliating bar of soap uses our usual blend on natural ingredients, with added oats to naturally exfoliate. With added honey fragrance.

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Honey And Rose Beeswax Soap

£4.50

100g

We pride ourselves on using natural, local ingredients. And what could be more local than the roses in our garden?! The olive oil used in this soap has been infused using rose petals, and we've even sprinkled dried rose petals on top.

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Honey and Chocolate Beeswax Soap

£4.50

100g

This delicious slice of stripy goodness has all the qualities of our other soaps, packed full of beautiful natural oils and butters, with the added scent of chocolate!

We can't guarantee it won't make you hungry, but we can guarantee it will be a pleasure to use!

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Lemon, Ginger and Poppyseed Beeswax Soap

£4.50

100g

Our usual beautifully creamy recipe, but with added lemon essential oil, ginger essential oil, ground ginger and Poppyseeds for added exfoliation. It smells as good as it sounds!

And in true Mudd Shack style, not only is the beeswax from Mersea, but the Poppyseeds were harvested from our very own poppies!

Handmade here on Mersea, our Lemon, Ginger & Poppyseed soap uses both Cold Pressed Lemon and Ginger Essential Oils along with the other raw natural ingredients to give it a fresh, zesty aroma.

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Lavender & Sea Salt Beeswax Soap

£4.50

100g

A friendly neighbour offered us their lavender before they cut it back for the winter. So we went round, cut off 2 large boxes full, brought it home, dried it, striped it, and infused alot of it in olive oil! Phew!

These lovingly handmade soap bars are full of 'flavour' and even include a touch of Maldon Sea Salt, along with our usual Mersea Beeswax. (No honey in these).

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'Bee My Valentine' Beeswax Soap

£4.50

100g

Made using Mersea beeswax, Mersea honey and even rose petals grown and harvested on Mersea. With a touch of Pink French Clay to colour the added heart.

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Queen Bee Beeswax Soap

£3.00

65g

A slightly smaller bar, with a honeycomb and bee mould being used to give you a really cute shape.

Available in Orange, Rose or Lavender

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Orange rose beeswax soap

£3.00

Our usual blend of raw natural ingredients, set in a pretty rose shape.

65g

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Beeswax Guest Soaps / Favours

£1.00

Only a few left!

Treat your guests with Mersea Mudd Shack.

These little 20g beauties are approximately 4cm wide and come in a range of fragrances, and can be personalised to suit your needs.

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Pink rose beeswax soap

£3.00

Fragranced with English Rose oil and added French Pink clay,

65g

Ingredients: Sodium Olivate, Sodium Cocoate, Sodium Shea Butterate, Glycerin, Aqua, Sodium Beeswax, French Pink Clay,Mel, Parfum, Rosa Damascena Flower, Citronellol, Geraniol

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BEESWAX IN CANDLES

As I've mentioned before, beeswax is about the most natural wax around. Paraffin wax is petroleum based, which can't be good to burn in your home. Soy wax is made from the oil of soy beans but goes through many processed to get it to wax form, not to mention the numerous soy bean plantations that have sprung up globally leading to deforestation. But I'm not here to tell you what's bad... so let's focus on the good!

Beeswax candles are the oldest kind going, and are the original traditional candle.

Beeswax had a higher melting point than other waxes, meaning they burn for longer. In fact, they can burn up to 5 times longer than other waxes.  

​There has also been research showing that burning beeswax can release negative ions into the air. These negative ions bind with the toxins in the air, helping to remove them. People have reported improvement with their hayfever, asthma and some have even slept better!

Beeswax candles burn cleanly, leaving no soot, and if they are wicked correctly, don't drip. 

Our plain candles are not fragranced... because they don't need to be! Beeswax has it's own soothing sweet aroma, which is naturally produced by the wax being so close to honey and floral nectar in the honeycomb.

They also have a beautiful bright glow, emitting a lovely warm-toned flame, in the same light spectrum as the sun. 
​​

Handpoured Beeswax Candles

£4.00 - £12.00

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Beeswax Skep Candle

£2.00

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Beeswax Tealights

£1.00 - £5.00

Sold out

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Beeswax Candle Making Kit

£4.50 - £8.50

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Beeswax Egg Candles

£2.00

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Beeswax Citronella Candles

£4.50 - £12.50

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​SAVE THE BEES

We all know that bees are crucial to our planet. We hope that by supporting our beekeepers, we can also help to keep the bees safe. Because let's not forget...

​If they go, we're going with them!


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