Comparing E904 - Shellac vs E905 - Synthetic wax

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Overview

E904 - Shellac

Shellac (E904) is a food-grade glaze that gives candies, nuts, and some fruits a smooth, shiny finish. It is a purified natural resin made from the secretions of the lac insect and is approved in many regions as a surface treatment for foods.

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

E904

Shellac

Bleached shellac

E905

Synthetic wax

Hydrocarbon wax

Fischer-Tropsch wax

Functions

glazing agent

Origins

Animal

Synthetic

Mineral

Products

Found in 1,341 products

Found in 1,468 products

Search rank & volume

#8329.3K / mo🇺🇸U.S.

#317510 / mo🇺🇸U.S.

Awareness score

×3.18

over-aware

×0.05

under-aware

Search volume over time

Interest over time for 3 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

What is shellac nails?
In beauty, “shellac nails” are a UV-cured hybrid gel-polish service (e.g., CND Shellac); despite the name, it does not use the food additive shellac (E904) resin used as a glaze.
How to remove shellac nail polish?
Soak the nails in acetone for about 10–15 minutes (using cotton and foil or remover wraps), then gently push off the softened coating—do not peel to avoid nail damage.
Is shellac the same as gel?
Not exactly—Shellac is a specific brand of gel-polish hybrid, while “gel” can refer broadly to many soak-off UV/LED gel systems; they cure similarly and have comparable wear.
What is a shellac manicure?
A manicure using a UV/LED-cured gel-polish system branded “Shellac” for long-lasting color; it’s unrelated to the food glazing agent shellac (E904).
What are shellac nails?
They are nails coated with a UV-cured gel-polish branded “Shellac” for chip-resistant wear, not coated with the food additive shellac (E904) used in food glazes.