Candle wax differences
People often ask why I prefer soy wax over other types. They also wonder why I use a blend for my wax melts and molded candles. This article aims to clarify those points.
Soy wax
Soy wax is a 100% natural wax made from soybeans, a natural and renewable source. It has a soot-free burn and while soy wax is expensive, it burns slower.
It usually comes in the form of flakes and is easy to work with, best suited for container candles such as jars, tins, or teacup candles. It's also a good scent carrier and using it for scented candles will give you a pure-smelling candle.
Best for: container candles
Pros
Eco-friendly
Soot-free burn
Long burn time
Good scent carrier
Cons
High cost
Cure time is two weeks for maximum hot throw
Paraffin Wax
Paraffin wax is the most widely used and inexpensive of all the waxes used for candle making. It holds color and scent well, making it a good choice for candles that are highly saturated in color and can be used for everything from containers to pillar candles.
Paraffin wax is a byproduct of petroleum and releases soot when it burns, which has raised some questions regarding its effects on the environment and health.
Best for: colorful, scented candles of all types
Pros
Inexpensive
Holds color and scent well
Can be used to make a variety of candle types
Long burn time
Cons
Releases soot
Coconut Wax
Coconut wax is an eco-friendly, vegan, and sustainable wax choice. It releases very little soot and has a slow and even burn. Surprisingly, this wax doesn't smell like coconut and it's actually odorless and carries scent very well. It is often combined with soy wax and is best suited for making container candles.
Best for: container candles, scented candles
Pros
Carries scent and color well
Clean burn
Long burn time
Cons
Needs to be combined with other waxes
Palm Wax
Palm wax has become a popular choice in candle making in recent years because it burns cleanly and is an eco-friendly, sustainable choice. Compared to other waxes, palm wax is quite expensive but it produces high-quality candles with a long burn time.
It carries scent well and is a strong, firm, and durable wax, which makes it especially good for free-standing candles.
Best for: free-standing candles such as pillars, scented candles
Pros
Long burn time
Clean burn
Carries scent well
Doesn't require a container
Cons
High cost
Beeswax
Beeswax is becoming increasingly popular in commercial candle manufacturing. You can even make beeswax candles at home without too much fuss.
Shanna Bynes Bradford, CEO and formulator at Grow Out Oils Clinical Aromatherapy says, ‘Beeswax is the number one non-toxic and renewable wax, with a super long burn time. It also has a natural honey aroma that can blend perfectly with essential oils for a beautiful sweet aromatic candle.’
Beeswax is even thought to help cleanse the air in your home. Shanna continues, ‘As a natural resource releases negative ions into the air that bind to positively charged airborne particles such as dust and pollen, helping to neutralize pollutants and create a cleaner environment. Not to mention that it burns clean and, when the wick is trimmed properly, produces hardly any soot. Because of this, beeswax is hypoallergenic, so it is ideal for making a home smell nice when you’re sensitive to fragrance.
‘That being said, beeswax is very expensive and is not considered vegan,’ Shanna adds, so it may not suit every lifestyle.