The Clean Sheet™
Ingredient Directory
Low ConcernVegan

Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Cera

Sunflower seed wax; high-melting wax fraction isolated from sunflower seed oil by winterisation/fractionation

Safety Flags
Allergen: None identified; derived from sunflower oil, sunflower allergy is rare and typically associated with pollen not seed oil
Safety Notes

Vegan plant-derived wax obtained by fractionation of sunflower seed oil; composed mainly of C22-C26 fatty acid esters and wax esters; melting point ~75-80°C; excellent structural wax for lip and anhydrous products; COSMOS and vegan certified; popular beeswax alternative; cleaner profile than some synthetic waxes; good compatibility with other plant-derived ingredients

Function & Common Use

Function

Viscosity controlling / Film forming / Emollient / Binding agent

Category

Wax

Common In

Lip balms, natural lipsticks, vegan cosmetics, body butters, solid perfumes

Origin

Plant derived

Concentration Limits

India (CDSCO)

No limit

EU Cosmetics Reg.

No limit

US FDA (21 CFR)

No limit

Korea (MFDS)

No limit

Pregnancy: No specific restriction identified

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Cera safe to use in skincare?

Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Cera has a Low concern rating from The Clean Sheet. Vegan plant-derived wax obtained by fractionation of sunflower seed oil; composed mainly of C22-C26 fatty acid esters and wax esters; melting point ~75-80°C; excellent structural wax for lip and anhydrous products; COSMOS and vegan certified; popular beeswax alternative; cleaner profile than some synthetic waxes; good compatibility with other plant-derived ingredients

Is Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Cera allowed in India?

Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Cera is currently classified as "Permitted cosmetic ingredient under Cosmetics Rules 2020" under Indian cosmetics regulations. No concentration limit is specified for India.

What is Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Cera used for in cosmetics?

Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Cera functions as: Viscosity controlling / Film forming / Emollient / Binding agent. It is commonly found in: Lip balms, natural lipsticks, vegan cosmetics, body butters, solid perfumes.

Can Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Cera cause an allergic reaction?

Yes. Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Cera has an allergen flag (None identified; derived from sunflower oil, sunflower allergy is rare and typically associated with pollen not seed oil). If you have sensitive skin or known fragrance/contact allergies, patch-test products containing this ingredient before full use.

TCS Assessment
Low Concern
Data Confidence
High
Based on peer-reviewed safety data, regulatory status, and expert review by The Clean Sheet panel.

Regulatory Status

India (CDSCO)
Permitted cosmetic ingredient under Cosmetics Rules 2020
EU
Permitted (listed in EU CosIng inventory; no Annex restriction)
US FDA
Permitted cosmetic ingredient; no 21 CFR restriction; derived from GRAS sunflower oil
Korea (MFDS)
Permitted cosmetic ingredient
Australia (TGA)
Permitted cosmetic ingredient; standard TGA cosmetic framework applies; no restriction identified
Canada (NHPID)
Permitted cosmetic ingredient; no restriction identified under Health Canada cosmetic notification framework

EU Annex: None

Identifiers

CAS8016-70-4
EC232-273-9

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