Comparing E902 - Candelilla wax vs E905 - Synthetic wax

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Overview

E902 - Candelilla wax

Candelilla wax (E902) is a plant-based wax used to give foods a smooth, glossy finish and a light moisture barrier. It comes from the candelilla shrub and appears in coatings for sweets and other foods where shine and nonstick qualities matter.

E905 - Synthetic wax

Synthetic wax (E905) is a highly refined, petroleum‑derived wax used in tiny amounts to give foods a smooth, glossy finish or to keep them from sticking. It shows up most often on the outside of confections and in chewing gum coatings, and it is regulated with strict purity and use limits in both the U.S. and the EU. It does not add flavor or nutrition; it’s there to protect texture and appearance.

Synonyms

E902

Candelilla wax

E905

Synthetic wax

Hydrocarbon wax

Fischer-Tropsch wax

Functions

glazing agent

Origins

Plant

Synthetic

Mineral

Products

Found in 142 products

Found in 1,468 products

Search rank & volume

#2332.6K / mo🇺🇸U.S.

#317510 / mo🇺🇸U.S.

Awareness score

×2.57

over-aware

×0.05

under-aware

Search volume over time

Interest over time for 2 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.

Interest over time for 4 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.

Popular questions

Is candelilla wax an emulsifier?
In foods, E902 is primarily a glazing/coating wax and structuring/thickening agent; it isn’t a true emulsifier, though it can help stabilize texture in some formulations.
What is candelilla wax made of?
A plant-derived wax from the leaves of the Candelilla shrub (Euphorbia cerifera/antisyphilitica), composed mainly of long‑chain hydrocarbons, wax esters, fatty acids, and resins.
Does candelilla wax clog pores?
It’s generally considered low‑comedogenic and unlikely to clog pores for most people, though any waxy, occlusive ingredient can bother some acne‑prone skin.
What is candelilla wax used for?
In foods (E902) it’s used mainly as a glazing/surface‑coating agent and as a texturizer. It gives shine and a moisture barrier to confectionery, fruits, and chewing gum, and helps firm or thicken products.
What is euphorbia cerifera (candelilla) wax?
It’s the plant wax obtained from the leaves of the Candelilla shrub (Euphorbia cerifera), approved in foods as E902 chiefly for glazing/coating and thickening functions.