The crayon in most children's pencil cases is paraffin wax and pigment, and the world's biggest maker says so itself. Beeswax crayons, sold as their own distinct product, are the real exception.
Made fromParaffin wax and colour pigment
Maker's own statementNo animal ingredient listed
ExceptionBeeswax crayons, labelled as their own category
VerdictUsually vegan
Where it hides
Crayons explicitly labelled beeswax
"Natural" or "eco" branded crayons, worth a quick label check
Speciality art crayons using other waxes, most of which are vegan too
What's actually in the box
Some vegan-advocacy pages claim standard wax crayons contain beef tallow, by way of stearic acid used to bind the wax and pigment. Crayola's own account of its manufacturing process doesn't back that up.
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Crayola® Crayons are made using primarily paraffin wax and color pigment.
That's two ingredients: petroleum-derived paraffin wax and a colour pigment, melted together and set in a mould. Neither is an animal product, and the world's largest crayon maker's own description of the process doesn't mention stearic acid, tallow, or any other animal-derived additive.
The genuine exception
Beeswax crayons are a real, clearly labelled exception rather than a hidden one. They're sold specifically as a beeswax product, usually marketed on being natural and plastic-free, and made by smaller speciality brands rather than sitting in the mainstream aisle. If the box says beeswax, it isn't vegan; if it doesn't, paraffin is the safe assumption for a standard crayon.
CandlesCandle wax has been made from animal fat, insect wax and petroleum at different points in history, and today's shelf still mixes vegan and non-vegan waxes side by side. The wax name on the label tells you which.
Beeswax (E901)Beeswax is a bee product. Worker bees secrete it to build the comb, so the shine on a waxed apple or a sweet, and the base of many a lip balm, comes straight from the hive.
Frequently asked
Does Crayola use animal products?
Not according to its own account of its process: Crayola says its crayons are made from paraffin wax and colour pigment, and its specialty and metallic crayons vary only in pigment and finish, not in using an animal-derived wax.
Are beeswax crayons vegan?
No. Beeswax is made by honeybees, so any crayon made from it is an animal product, whatever else the packaging says about being natural.
Is the claim that crayons contain beef tallow true?
Not for the market leader. Crayola's own ingredient statement lists paraffin wax and pigment only. The tallow claim traces to stearic acid, an ingredient that can be animal- or plant-derived and is used elsewhere, such as in some tyres and candles, but Crayola doesn't list it as a crayon ingredient.
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