Discovering the best wax for your candle-making project is one of the key points in candle-making. So let's talk about a few different kinds of wax! Some of the main/well-known are: soy, coconut-apricot, blends and paraffin wax. Depending on your process any of these waxes may offer the perfect balance for a long-lasting burn. But not all of them will be a clean burn. Let's dive into the details!
What are these waxes really made of?
Soy wax is a vegetable wax made from hydrogenated soybean oil. It has become a popular choice for candle-makers because it's clean burn. Soy wax is also a renewable resource, making it an eco-friendly choice.
Paraffin wax is a wax made from petroleum byproducts. This wax is also used for other things, such as makeup and skin care, food packaging, lotions and to make crayons, as well as casts and splints.
Coconut apricot wax is made from the hydrogenation and refinement of coconut oil, which is derived from the meat of coconuts.
What does this mean for your candles? The pros and cons.
Soy wax being clean-burning and renewable it will burn at a cooler temperature, making it less likely to cause a fire hazard. Being made from soybeans, which are a renewable resource, and it does not contain any of the toxins or pollutants that are found in paraffin wax. One of the main drawbacks of soy wax is that it doesn’t hold scent as well as paraffin wax does. (We use soy, and don't come across this issue.)
Paraffin is more affordable and has a longer burning time, meaning you can get more out of your candles. First, it isn’t renewable and doesn’t burn as cleanly as soy wax does. Additionally, paraffin wax can release toxins into the air when burned, which can be harmful to both humans and the environment. (Some cases have been found to have caused hormone disruption, migraines, respiratory difficulties and/or failure.)