Choosing soy wax candles as a healthy and frugal alternative to paraffin-based candles

Today’s consumers have access to much more information and are much more informed about their purchases. However, smart marketing still trumps consumer insight in some cases.

Let me explain how soy wax is made, what the benefits are, and what to look for when buying soy candles.

What is soy wax?

You may be surprised to learn that soy wax is not wax at all. It is actually a form of partially hydrogenated soybean oil. Hydrogen is added to soybean oil and a chemical reaction takes place to turn it into a solid. Hydrogen is the most common chemical element on earth and is part of H2O (water).

Because soy wax comes from soybean oil, it is considered all-natural and biodegradable. Soybeans are grown around the world and are considered a sustainable and renewable resource.

additives

Well, soy wax is all natural to begin with, but there are some common additives. Some of them natural and some not. The most common additives in soy wax are dyes, fragrances, and chemicals to make a better performing wax.

Most commercial dyes are not natural. Although there are some natural dyes, most are not used in candle making. Natural soaps and beauty products are more likely to contain natural dyes.

The fragrance is not natural. Although there are many skin-safe fragrance oils on the market, they are made synthetically and are not natural at all.

All natural additives They include botanical oils and essential oils.

Botanical oils are often used in place of chemical additives to make a better quality wax from a visual standpoint. 100% soy wax candles will crack and flake at the top, which is corrected by adding botanicals or, in some cases, manufacturers heat the top of each candle after pouring and cooling.

Essential oils are added in place of fragrance. These oils come from very leafy plants, trees, grasses, and seeds. Most of the time they are mixed and diluted with a carrier oil. Most producers will use a natural carrier oil to ensure that products made with their oils are still considered all-natural. Some of the most common carrier oils are olive, hemp, and soybean oil. Essential oil candles can be more expensive than fragrance candles due to the high cost of essential oils.

Other types of waxes

There are many types of waxes used in candle making, the most common being paraffin, soy, and beeswax.

Beeswax candles are all natural, unless they have been dyed or scented. They are most commonly sold as pure beeswax. The color of beeswax varies depending on how much it has been refined and can range from yellow to white. Some batches may even have a blue color if the wax comes from bees that have foraged in a lavender field.

Paraffin is by far the most widely used wax in candle making, it is the cheapest and easiest to work with. Paraffin wax is based on petroleum and is a byproduct of the petroleum refining process.

It is important to note that all candle waxes contain hydrocarbons and produce a yellow flame when burned.

Some facts about soy wax:

• Derived from the soybean plant, soy wax in its pure form is all-natural, sustainable, and biodegradable.
• All natural soy wax candles burn cleaner than paraffin-based candles. Paraffin wax is petroleum-based, a by-product of petroleum refining.
• Soy wax has a lower melting point than paraffin wax, which helps release scent sooner, burns more evenly throughout the candle, and is less likely to burn when it comes in contact with skin .
• Soy wax can be easily cleaned with hot soapy water.
• Soy wax candles burn 30% to 50% longer than paraffin candles.

safety sail

No matter the type of candle, there are some basic steps to take to ensure its safety. Never leave a candle unattended. Always place the candle on a non-combustible surface, away from curtains, children or animals. Be sure to trim the wick to about ¼” to ensure the flame isn’t too large. In addition to unnecessary heat, an untrimmed wick will produce smoke. It will release soot and toxins into the air.