NATURAL OILS AND WAXES IN STICK BASES 97 while sticks prepared with coconut oil are less so (Figure 3). Interestingly, the oils with different origins do not result in different compression strength values in the case of 70 w/w% oil content (Figure 3). It worth noting that for compositions with 80 w/w% oil and above, compression strength cannot be determined due to the soft consistency of the compositions. On the basis of our organoleptic examination, the taste of castor oil is unpleasant, while better experiences were obtained with jojoba oil. In the case of jojoba oil, the composi- tions containing relatively high amounts of oil (70–80 w/w%) were too soft and resulted in physically uncomfortable stick application. The use of waxes in stick compositions most commonly results in improved parameters from the aspect of application. In the present study two waxes were evaluated (Table I, Figures 4–6). Figure 3. Compression strengths determined for oily samples composed of 5 w/w% glycerol, 5 w/w% lano- lin, and 40–80 w/w% appropriate oil (sunfl ower, castor, jojoba, or coconut) the rest was yellow beeswax. n=3. Figure 4. Softening points determined for wax samples composed of 5 w/w% glycerol, 5 w/w% lanolin, 60 w/w% sunfl ower oil, and 0–5 w/w% appropriate wax (carnauba or candelilla) the rest was yellow beeswax. n=3.

JOURNAL OF COSMETIC SCIENCE 98 Carnauba and candelilla waxes in concentrations varying between 0 and 5 w/w% were present in the selected compositions, along with yellow beeswax (Figures 4–6). Upon observing the impact of waxes on the softening point, it can be concluded that signifi cant changes were detected only in the case of carnauba wax. For carnauba wax-free samples, the softening point is 59.8 ± 0.3°C, while for compositions containing 5 w/w% carnauba wax 71.0 ± 0.0°C is measured. It can be seen that the maximum effect on the softening point can be reached with 3 w/w% carnauba wax content, whereas higher concentrations (4–5 w/w%) do not cause any more change in the softening points. In the case of candel- illa wax, the presence and the amount of wax (in a concentration range of 0–5 w/w%) did not seem to infl uence the softening point (Figure 4). Similarly, the presence of candelilla wax did not seem to have a signifi cant effect on the drop point values of compositions containing 0–5 w/w% wax. In the case of carnauba wax, however, the increasing amounts of wax resulted in higher drop point values, varying between 56.0 ± 0.5°C and 70.0 ± 1.0°C (Figure 5). Also of note, a plateau effect on the drop point can be detected, with a Figure 5. Drop points determined for wax samples composed of 5 w/w% glycerol, 5 w/w% lanolin, 60 w/w% sunfl ower oil, and 0–5 w/w% appropriate wax (carnauba or candelilla) the rest was yellow beeswax. n=3. Figure 6. Compression strengths determined for wax samples composed of 5 w/w% glycerol, 5 w/w% lano- lin, 60 w/w% sunfl ower oil, and 0–5 w/w% appropriate wax (carnauba or candelilla) the rest was yellow beeswax. n=3.