Myrica Pubescens Fruit Cera: What Is It, Cosmetic Uses, Benefits & Side Effects

Curious about this ingredient? In this article we're explaining exactly what it is and why it's used within cosmetic formulations.
Updated on: July 1, 2025
Share:
Inside this article:

We verify all information on this page using publicly available nomenclature standards from The Personal Care Products Council (PCPC), the European Commission's CosIng database and documentation provided directly by ingredient manufacturers. Our analysis is based on technical data from these sources to ensure accuracy and reliability.

What Is Myrica Pubescens Fruit Cera?

Myrica Pubescens Fruit Cera is a plant-based wax extracted from the berries of the Myrica pubescens tree, part of the bayberry family that grows in the tropical regions of Central and South America. The wax is rich in long-chain fatty acids and esters, giving it a solid yet supple texture similar to beeswax but fully vegan. Indigenous communities once used the berries for candle making because the wax burns cleanly; formulators later noticed its smooth skin feel and ability to thicken oils, which led to its entry into modern cosmetics in the early 2000s as a natural alternative to mineral and animal waxes. Production begins with collecting ripe berries, then boiling or solvent-extracting the outer coating to separate the wax. After filtration and gentle refining, the pale yellow wax is pressed into pellets or pastilles ready for manufacturing. You will find Myrica Pubescens Fruit Cera in lip balms, lipsticks, solid perfumes, anhydrous body balms, moisturizers, facial masks, mascara, pencil products, sunscreens and styling creams where a smooth glide and stable texture are needed.

Myrica Pubescens Fruit Cera’s Cosmetic Benefits/Uses

Myrica Pubescens Fruit Cera brings several formulation advantages that improve both product performance and user experience:

  • Film forming — creates a breathable layer on skin or hair that locks in moisture, enhances product wear time and helps pigments or active ingredients stay in place throughout the day
  • Skin conditioning — imparts a soft, supple feel by smoothing rough patches and reducing transepidermal water loss, making creams and balms feel richer without a heavy or greasy after-feel
  • Viscosity controlling — thickens and stabilizes emulsions or oil-based formulations, allowing brands to achieve stick formats or creamy textures that remain uniform across temperature changes

Who Can Use Myrica Pubescens Fruit Cera

This gentle plant wax is generally well tolerated by all skin types, including sensitive, normal, dry, combination and oily skin, because it sits on the surface in a light breathable layer instead of penetrating deeply or clogging pores. People with very acne-prone skin may still prefer lighter formulas, though the wax itself has a low tendency to cause breakouts.

Because it is harvested from fruit and involves no animal-derived inputs, Myrica Pubescens Fruit Cera is suitable for vegans and vegetarians seeking a botanical alternative to beeswax or lanolin.

No specific warnings exist for pregnancy or breastfeeding. The wax is not known to absorb systemically or disrupt hormones. That said, this is not medical advice and pregnant or nursing individuals should run any skincare product past their doctor just to be safe.

Myrica Pubescens Fruit Cera does not increase photosensitivity so there is no added risk of sunburn when using products that contain it. As with any occlusive ingredient, applying very thick layers can occasionally feel heavy in hot humid weather, so lighter applications may be more comfortable during summer months.

Potential Side Effects/Adverse Reactions

Side effects from topical use of Myrica Pubescens Fruit Cera vary from person to person. The issues listed below are possible yet unlikely for most users when the ingredient is correctly formulated and used in normal cosmetic concentrations.

  • Mild skin irritation in individuals with allergies to bayberry species
  • Contact dermatitis if the wax is contaminated with residual solvents or impurities during poor manufacturing
  • Clogged pores or comedones when applied in very heavy layers on skin already prone to congestion
  • Stinging around the eyes if high concentrations migrate into the eye area in mascara or pencil products

If you experience any persistent redness itching or discomfort stop using the product and consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Comedogenic Rating

Myrica Pubescens Fruit Cera has a comedogenic rating of 1 out of 5. Its molecular structure is made up of large waxy esters that mainly sit on the skin surface and create a light breathable film rather than seeping into pores. Most studies and user reports show minimal pore clogging unless the wax is used in very high amounts or layered over already heavy products. For this reason it is generally suitable for people who are prone to acne or breakouts, especially when included in balanced formulas. Keep in mind that total comedogenicity also depends on the other ingredients in a product and how thickly it is applied.

Summary

Myrica Pubescens Fruit Cera is valued in cosmetics for three key roles: it forms a flexible protective film that locks in moisture and boosts wear time, conditions the skin so finished products feel smooth and soft, and controls viscosity to give creams balms and sticks their desired thickness and stability. It achieves these benefits through its mix of long chain fatty acids and esters that solidify at room temperature yet melt down easily during manufacturing.

This wax is gaining popularity with brands focused on clean vegan formulas, though it is still less common than classics like beeswax or candelilla. Its gentle nature and plant origin make it an appealing substitute for consumers looking to avoid animal or petroleum based waxes.

Overall safety is high with very few reports of irritation or allergic response. As with any new cosmetic ingredient it is wise to patch test a product on a small area first to confirm personal compatibility before full use.

Was this article helpful?
More from Glooshi:
ADVERTISEMENT
Get all our top headlines in beauty.
Delivered right to your inbox each week. Zero spam, all goodness, opt-out at anytime.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Get the latest beauty news, top product recommendations & brand-exclusive discount codes direct to your inbox.
Send good feedback:

All feedback is greatly appreciated, anonymous, and will be used to improve the quality of our articles.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Send bad feedback:

All feedback is greatly appreciated, anonymous, and will be used to improve the quality of our articles.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Search