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Ceresin is a white-to-yellow waxy mixture of hydrocarbons obtained by purification of ozokerite. It occurs as odorless, tasteless, amorphous (noncrystalline) brittle, waxy cakes or pastilles.

CERESIN WAX is a complex combination of hydrocarbons produced by the purification of ozocerite with sulfuric acid and filtration through bone black to form waxy cakes.

Ceresin is prepared by extraction and purification of the native mineral fossil wax ozokerite, which is derived from coal and shale. Ozokerite is mined from deposits in various localities around the world. It is found as irregular mineral veins or as a black mass in clay strata. Mined ozokerite is heated to melt it, and any earth or rock is removed. If necessary, it is heated to 115–1208℃ to remove any moisture and then treated with sulfuric acid or fuming sulfuric acid. After neutralization, it is decolorized using activated charcoal or silica gel, and filtered. If decolorizing is not sufficient, it is repeatedly treated with sulfuric acid and subjected to adsorption filtration to produce more refined ceresin.
Another method of producing ceresin involves dissolving ozokerite in ligroin, treating it with activated clay, and then removing the high-boiling-point fraction.

Ceresin is used as a stiffening agent in creams and ointments, and as an emulsion stabilizer, opacifier, viscosity control agent, and thickener in pharmaceutical protective, topical, and vaginal creams. It is also used in cosmetics and personal care products.
Ceresin is often used as a substitute for ozokerite wax due to its similar properties, and also as a substitute for beeswax and paraffin wax. It acts as a rheological modifier at low concentrations (2–3%) and has the ability to create very small crystallites, which crosslink and establish a network structure that does not allow flow in practical conditions. Ceresin produces stable mixtures with oils and prevents bleeding or sweating of oil, and it produces a lighter cream that is less greasy.
Ceresin is also used for pharmaceutical coating applications of medicaments, for example, protective coatings, enteric coatings, and sustained-release coatings. It has been used in the formulation of multivesicular emulsion topical delivery systems.

Ceresin is nontoxic, nonhazardous, and safe for use in personal care and cosmetic ingredients in the present practices of concentration and use. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel has concluded that ceresin does not result in dermal sensitization. When formulations containing these ingredients were tested, they produced no skin irritation and the formulations were not phototoxic.
Ceresin may be slightly hazardous on ingestion and inhalation. No definitive information is available on carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, target organs, or developmental toxicity. The FDA has established a cumulative estimated daily intake of ceresin of 0.00035 mg/kg body weight, and a cumulative dietary concentration in food of not more than 7 ppb.

Ceresin should be stored in well-closed containers in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place, away from extreme heat and strong oxidizing agents.

Ceresin is incompatible with strong oxidizing agents. It is compatible with most animal, vegetable, and mineral waxes, as well as mineral oil and petrolatum.

Included in the FDA Inactive Ingredients Database (topical ointments; vaginal emulsions and creams). Included in the Canadian List of Acceptable Non-medicinal Ingredients. Included in nonparenteral medicines (topical creams) licensed in the UK. Accepted for use in cosmetics and personal care products marketed in Europe.