Does the wax in your candle really matter? Why bother paying more for soy wax?
Soy wax is one of the best choices you can make when picking natural ingredients in your candle. It burns cleaner than traditional paraffin waxes, burns slower, so your candle lasts longer, and is better for the environment than paraffin wax.
First, I think it’s important to understand what most candles are made of: paraffin wax. Why? It’s cheap to produce, has a great scent throw (meaning it produces really strong smelling candles), and has a high burn temperature, so it’s easier to ship. Easier and cheaper is not always better, because the thing most people don’t know about paraffin wax is that it’s a byproduct of petroleum. It produces the same VOCs (volatile organic compounds) as the exhaust found in cars; so if most candles give you a headache, paraffin wax is the likely culprit behind them.
The soy wax we use is made from the byproducts of soybeans that are grown right here in the United States. Because we use locally sourced soy wax it has a smaller carbon footprint than something that is imported from overseas. It’s also a natural product that does not produce any harmful VOCs. Soy wax also burns slower than traditional paraffin waxes, which means your candle is going to last longer than a paraffin wax candle. Sometimes it can be difficult to get a good ‘scent throw’ from a soy wax candle, but we use fragrances designed specifically for soy wax, so the scent throw (the strength of the smell) is great.
Soy wax also produces less smoke and soot than a traditional paraffin wax candle; I’ve heard horror stories from people who burned a lot of candles before learning about their ingredients talking about how they had to repaint their ceilings because of how much smoke was produced from paraffin wax candles. If you see any smoke coming from your soy wax candle, or see any soot build up on the jar it’s likely you just need to trim the wick, which you should be doing before lighting your candle anyways.
When choosing your next candle, be sure to carefully read the label; the ratios of wax are not regulated, so a candle that says ‘soy blend’ could have as little as one percent soy wax in it and 99% paraffin wax. If you’re looking to select a candle that won’t give you a headache or you want a more natural option, ensure the label says 100% soy wax or lists the blend directly on the label or website. For instance, I know a lot of other small candle brands like to use a coconut, soy, or apricot oil blend and those are all acceptable if you’re looking for a cleaner burning option. You really want to avoid paraffin though.
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