Beeswax has been used in skincare for thousands of years. In ancient Egypt, Rome, and in traditional medicine around the world. Often, when an ingredient has stood the test of time for so long, there's a reason for it.
The most important property of beeswax is its ability to form a breathable protective layer on the skin's surface. It doesn't clog pores – it's too large a molecule to be absorbed into the skin – but it slows down moisture evaporation from the surface. This is called an emollient effect.
An important distinction: beeswax is occlusive but breathable. Unlike petrolatum or silicones, it does not form a completely dense layer. The skin can breathe, but it doesn't lose its moisture.
In Silky Sage, beeswax does two things: it holds the formulation together without artificial binders, and it forms a breathable protective layer on the skin that supports the barrier as it regenerates.
In addition, beeswax has natural antimicrobial properties.