There has been a lot in the media recently from wildlife experts about protecting our bees, how to do that, and why.

Bees are wonderful insects and when they make their honey and secrete their Beeswax, you know those two ingredients will do you the world of good. Anything from Manuka honey to keep coughs and colds at bay, local honey to help prevent your Hay Fever, and now our beauty products which moisturise your skin and are a barrier to irritants, all start with the Bees.

Our bees are a big part of our eco-system when it comes to plants, flowers, and trees which then provide food and shelter for other animals, insects, and bugs. So you could say ‘save the bees, save our planet.’ They are beautiful furry insects that bring happiness in the summertime and beyond, particularly when you see them in the heart of a colourful flower collecting the delicious nectar which they take away to make their delicious honey.

Why do we use Beeswax as an ingredient?

Did you know there are actually over 250 species of Bees in the United Kingdom? One of which is the much-loved honey bee which makes the Beeswax. This ingredient is a highly sustainable eco product and doesn’t have an expiration date. As long as we have Honey Bees, we have Beeswax. That’s why we use it as an ingredient, it’s sustainable, planet-friendly, beneficial to you and your skin, and doesn’t expire.

The Beeswax is the hexagon frame you see in honeycombs and contains the delicious honey that the bees make. The wax itself is produced by Honey Bees aged 12- 17 days old and is secreted from one of their eight glands, the abdomen.

So why is the wax formed in a hexagon shape? Well according to the scientist Brian Cox, it’s been a question that mathematicians have explored for thousands of years and the answer is this – because the bees know it’s the most efficient shape.

But how is the hexagon shape formed? Biologists are still trying to work that one out, it is still a puzzle for them. They don’t know whether the bees produce the wax in a circle then biology and physics change the shape to hexagonal, or it is hexagonal from the moment it’s formed.  All that we do know is that the Bees are clever little insects.

When the bees have produced the hexagonal shape and made the honey, the beeswax is then harvested cruelty-free because the bees are not killed or harmed during the farming process. This is what makes the ingredient so eco-friendly and sustainable.

Why choose our Beeswax candles, and how to get the most out of them.

If you are eco-friendly like us and care for our planet, then you might like to know our Beeswax candles also contain another eco-friendly, sustainable product – the wick. Our candles are made with a hemp wick which is also a 100% natural and sustainable product.

We produce Beeswax candles because they naturally emit a bright and warm tone without needing any additives. They also help to purify the air, which makes them a great choice for you or anyone you know who suffers from allergies and asthma.

Not only do the candles contain natural and sustainable ingredients, but the packaging and gift wrap material that is used to send them to you is sustainable and eco-friendly too. This allows you to care for your world and give a truly beautiful and eco-friendly gift to someone you love.

To get the most out of our Beeswax candles, trim the wick slightly to about half a centimetre and light it away from drafts. If there is any of the candle left when the wick has reached its life, keep it. Little bits of leftover Beeswax candles are great to use as natural firelighters on your fire. When you blow your candle out, be very gentle to avoid spatters of wax, and even better, buy yourself a candle snuffer so no blowing is required.

Why Beeswax burns differently to paraffin wax.

In its simplest form, Beeswax does not contain nasty chemicals whereas paraffin wax contains artificially manufactured chemicals. Not only are these harmful to your skin, but also harmful to the environment and dangerous to inhale.

Beeswax burns in a really clean way so it doesn’t produce any soot. So if you have candles throughout your house and you see your paintwork looks a bit darker where candles have been, it’s likely your candles contain paraffin because paraffin produces soot when it burns. The soot then collects in the air and sticks to surfaces. With our Beeswax candles, you are extremely unlikely to get that dark mark on your walls and other surfaces. Also, Beeswax doesn’t drip when the wicks are trimmed correctly so there is no waste.

Beeswax as an ingredient in our skincare and home care products.

Beeswax can also be found in our skincare and home care products. As a natural ingredient, it is anti-fungal and anti-allergy so perfect to use in our Beeswax wraps for storing food. These are a great alternative to clingfilm which is dangerous to wildlife and humans, full of chemicals, and non-recyclable.

The Beeswax wraps are re-useable and when they are looked after carefully, will last a good 6-12 months. They come in different sizes and are perfect for an eco-friendly home, or if you are just getting started using eco-friendly products.

Our skincare products such as the hand and lip balms, and the body butter, contain Beeswax too. Not only is it a deeply moisturising ingredient, but it is also allergy-free. So if your skin needs soothing and moisturising or even if you have psoriasis or eczema, then our products will help soothe and moisturise your skin in a kind and beneficial way which is also eco-friendly.

And finally …

As an eco-conscious family and business, we focus on making our own natural products. We take pride in researching and sourcing ingredients and materials that promote and support the care of us, you, and our world.

You can find the full range of Northern Flock products here:

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/NorthernFlock

If you have any feedback, please leave a review here:
https://www.facebook.com/HandmadeByLambs

Or get in touch with us at info@northernflock.co.uk