A glazing agent is a natural or synthetic substance that provides a waxy, homogeneous, coating to prevent water loss from a surface and provide other protection.[1]
Natural glazing agents keep moisture inside plants and insects. Scientists harnessed this characteristic in coatings made of substances classified as waxes. A natural wax is chemically defined as an ester with a very long hydrocarbon chain that also includes a long chain alcohol.[2]
Examples are:
Scientists have produced glazing agents that mimic their natural counterparts. These components are added in different proportions to achieve the optimal glazing agent for a product.[3] Such products include cosmetics, automobiles and food.[4][5][6]
There are different variations of glazing agents, depending on the product, but they are all designed for the same purpose.