Understanding the Differences Between Each Type of Candle Wax (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between candle wax? ›

paraffin wax, there are several differences. Soy wax is denser and has a smaller crystal structure, whereas paraffin wax has a large crystal structure. Due to this, soy wax is softer and more pliable, whereas paraffin wax is harder and more brittle.

There are 4 main types of candle wax: paraffin, soy, palm, and bees. Each with their own properties offering different advantages and disadvantages for the finished product. Keep reading to learn more about the different types of candle wax, and why we chose to use soy wax for Weekday Candles!

GW464 has a lower melt point which helps with the burn and gives better glass adhesion producing fewer wet spots. GW444 has a higher melt point which enables it to retain a higher fragrance oil load to give you a stronger scent throw.

If you decide that you want a clean-burning candle that will give you the strongest scent throw you can get, you might choose paraffin. If you want a wax that is clean-burning, comes from a renewable source, has a great scent throw, and burns longer, soy might be the way to go.

Soy wax is made from soybeans, while paraffin wax is made from petroleum (yes, the same petroleum used to make oil and gas). Discovered in 1850, paraffin wax is made by removing the waxy substance from crude oil. Soy wax was discovered in 1991 as an alternative to paraffin wax and is a hydrogenated form of soybean oil.

The number one reason many choose soy candles is the fact they are natural. They're made from vegetable oil (soybeans) whereas regular paraffin candles are made from petroleum oil. This means that soy wax does not increase the CO2 level in the environment. Moreover, soy candles do not require chemicals to scent them.

Paraffin wax—a very inexpensive wax—is most widely used across candle brands, says Fitchl, because it can hold a high amount of fragrance and color. It also comes in various melt points, making it suitable for making many different types of candles, from containers to pillars.

Considerations for choosing candle wax include: the importance of natural, the type of candle you're making, the type of wicks or containers you want to use, the color and texture, and the burn quality. For most purposes, we recommend Golden Brands 464 because of its high performance and all-around ease of use.

Both hard wax and soft wax remove hair and are appropriate for home use. Hard wax is gentler on your skin. It's better suited for sensitive areas, and is less painful to remove. Soft wax is better suited for large areas, like your legs or back.

The Golden Brands 444 soy wax is a container wax with a soy based additive that reduces frosting and allows the wax to hold more fragrance than a pure soy wax. Golden Brands 444 has a higher melt point than 464 wax which allows the candles to hold their shape better in warm weather.

What soy wax holds the most fragrance? ›

Your ideal consistency will be a happy medium between tacky wax in the center and the really hot “lava wax” on the edges. If your wax is still looking a bit too hot and runny, turn the warmer all the way down to 45 degrees or even off for a little while!

Yankee candles are made from paraffin wax, as well as essential oils for fragrance and cotton for the wicks.

Luxury candles tend to use higher-end alternatives to paraffin, such as coconut wax, beeswax, and soy wax. For example, our candles are made with natural soy wax, which burns less quickly than paraffin and allows you to savor the ambience and aroma up to 50% longer.

Mahogany Teakwood High-Intensity Candle.

Due to its crystal structure paraffin wax has a higher melting point. This means it requires more heat to burn affecting the life of your candles. Whereas with soy wax candles the melting point is lower, allowing for a longer burn time. Soy candles have a stronger scent throw than paraffin wax candles.

Allowing your candles sufficient time to cure

Candles should be cured with their lids on, away from sunlight and in a space that is around room temperature. The minimum cure time can range from 3 days to several weeks. I have found that the longer they cure, the stronger the hot throw.

Beeswax is the oldest known material used for candles, and remains one of the cleanest options. Beeswax is natural, free of toxins, and makes fall candles that provide slow burn. It's considered the cleanest burning candle wax, as it acts as a natural air purifier.

The main difference between beeswax and soy wax is that beeswax candles are completely free of paraffin while oy wax candles contain some amount of paraffin. Moreover, beeswax candles tend to produce a sweeter, more natural fragrance and tend to burn longer than soy wax.

Beeswax is Non-Toxic

Beeswax candles contain none of the harmful chemicals found in paraffin wax. Paraffin candles contains a plethora of toxic chemicals, such as benzene and toluene. Some imported paraffin candles still contain lead wicks, despite the federal ban on them in 2003.

Which candles are better soy or beeswax? ›

If you are looking for a scented candle, soy wax will produce a stronger, more consistent smell that will last the full burn time of the candle. Beeswax on the other hand is better suited as an unscented candle that allows for the natural oil scent to be released into the air.

The first step is understanding the wax. This is where soy reigns supreme. Paraffin wax tends to be cheaper, and burns at a much faster rate than soy wax. In comparing two candles of the same size, a paraffin candle will usually have a lifespan of 35 to 40 hours whereas a soy candle can burn for 50 to nearly 80 hours.

Soy wax, coconut wax and beeswax candles are all great options. Be sure to make sure labels say the candles are 100% soy or beeswax (companies like to create blends with paraffin wax because it's cheaper) and if possible, I like to buy sustainably sourced and cruelty-free candles!

Bath & Body Works candles are a great example. On their website, the company states that “The main ingredients for all formulas are vegetable wax, paraffin wax, and soy. Our Signature Collection Candles are considered vegetable wax candles.

"With some limited exceptions for some hard paraffin waxes, generally paraffin candles are soft and have an oily, translucent feel. Soy wax, on the other hand, is hard and opaque.

Soy wax is the easiest candle-making wax to work with. Available in bags of small chips or beads, soy wax melts and pours evenly for trouble-free candle making. Many beginners' kits for candlemakers include soy wax because of its economical price and ease of use.

Add fragrance oil at 185Fº and stir gently and thoroughly with the melted wax. This is the optimal temperature for the wax and fragrance to bind in order to provide the best scent throw. Let your candles cure before test burning them.

Let the entire wax surface melt

You should always leave your candle burning for at least two hours. This is so that you allow enough wax to melt that it can produce a stronger scent. If you want your scented candle to fill a room quickly, then your best bet is a candle topper.

My conclusion is that Soy Wax, being a natural, non-animal oil, burned longer than the other waxes. I also observed that Soy Wax seemed to burn cleaner and clean up was easier. This information is useful in the decision making process of buying candles.

This wax is fairly soft and is very easy to chunk up to fit into your melter. C6 is considered a "coconut wax" but is made up of a blend of soy wax and hydrogenated coconut oil. This is not soft like traditional coconut oil, but it is also not as hard as any of the soy waxes.

What is A27 wax? ›

The A27 Performance Soy Blend by All Seasons Wax Company is a carefully formulated soy blend designed to perform consistently in warmer and more volatile conditions. Nicknamed the 'summer blend' this wax has improved stability when compared to most other waxes on the market.

If your fragrance load is too high, the flame can burn off the excess oil that was not able to bind with the wax, creating heavier-than-usual, dark smoke.

In general, eau de parfum scents are heavier (i.e. more concentrated) making them more likely to last all day. They're very different from the lighter, less-concentrated eau de toilette fragrances or body sprays. Eau de toilettes usually have half the concentration of the perfume oil found in eau de parfum.

These same studies show that when soy and paraffin candles are burnt they release formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, toluene, benzene, and acetone, carcinogens that can lead to cancer and other health problems.

After Your Wax Sets:

Holding the skin taut with your free hand, remove the wax strip quickly in the opposite direction of the hair growth. Apply pressure immediately on your client's skin with your free hand to relieve any discomfort they may feel upon removal.

Once the wax is applied, place the cloth strip over the wax and press down firmly. Leave the cloth on for two to three seconds. Remove the cloth strip. To remove, hold your skin taut with one hand and use your other hand to quickly pull off the cloth in the opposite direction of hair growth.

Yes, if you want the best results, you have to use high-quality wax, use it properly and use it for the right clients and services, but even hitting all of these marks can set you back if you're not caring for the skin before and after waxing.

Paraffin candles: Derived from petroleum, paraffin wax makes for cheap and effective candles. The downside is that paraffin releases highly toxic volatile organic compounds when burned, including the known carcinogens, benzene, and toluene.

I'm pleased to see the candles are made from soy wax, which is created using soybean oil and is sustainable.

Paraffin wax is made from petroleum byproducts, so if you're concerned about the environment, consider soy, stearin or beeswax candles instead. Soy candles have also been shown to produce less soot than paraffin candles, and some people, including those with asthma, may be sensitive or allergic to certain fragrances.

What are Louis Vuitton candles made of? ›

Each candle is cast in handmade ceramic, with hand-sewn leather handles on the sides.

Sweet Water Decor Hello Fall Candle | 9oz Clear Glass Jar, 40 Hour Burn Time. The Hello Fall scent features notes of apple cider, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. If you are a fan of nontoxic candles, you'll enjoy Kylie's pick.

Avoid aromatherapy candles made of paraffin or gel, both petroleum byproducts. In all things, avoiding the fossil fuel industry when you can makes sense for living a green life. Just like if you don't have to drive a car to get to your destination, don't; if you don't have to burn a petroleum-based candle, don't.

Beeswax candles are the healthiest choice in candles. Made from the caps of bee honeycombs, beeswax candles burn clean, are very long-burning, and give off a pleasant natural fragrance as they burn. Beeswax candles are dripless when burned properly, and release negative ions which help clean the air in a room.

Paraffin wax—a very inexpensive wax—is most widely used across candle brands, says Fitchl, because it can hold a high amount of fragrance and color. It also comes in various melt points, making it suitable for making many different types of candles, from containers to pillars.

Due to its crystal structure paraffin wax has a higher melting point. This means it requires more heat to burn affecting the life of your candles. Whereas with soy wax candles the melting point is lower, allowing for a longer burn time. Soy candles have a stronger scent throw than paraffin wax candles.

Luxury candles tend to use higher-end alternatives to paraffin, such as coconut wax, beeswax, and soy wax. For example, our candles are made with natural soy wax, which burns less quickly than paraffin and allows you to savor the ambience and aroma up to 50% longer.

Between the two, coconut is the softer wax. This makes it easier to work with allowing for a stronger overall blend of fragrance. This softness also gives coconut wax a cleaner burn, coming from the fewer ingredients list. On the other hand, soy wax is just a little stiffer which gives it many similar properties.

It has a superior scent throw which means you can produce long lasting and strongly scented candles using this wax. You can also enjoy your candles longer because coconut wax burns slower than other wax and it can blend perfectly with other natural, harder waxes.

Why add coconut oil to beeswax candles? ›

Adding some coconut oil to your beeswax helps the candle burn more consistently and avoid tunneling. But, you can also make a 100% beeswax candle by omitting it. Pour the wax and coconut oil into your candle containers and let them set for 1-2 days before using.

Mahogany Teakwood High-Intensity Candle

Not only did these two give off strong scents, but they smelled the best, too. Yankee Candle and Bath & Body Works candles gave off very heavy, in-your-face scents, whereas Le Labo and Byredo released complex, luxurious scents you'd expect in a fancy hotel.

I like to use a blend of both soy wax and beeswax and don't add additional color. The more beeswax you use, the more honey-colored the candle will be. Beeswax also gives off a sweet honey aroma, so the more you use, the less added fragrance you will need.