Are Soy Based Candles Better?

Whether soy, paraffin, or beeswax, the type of wax used to make candles has become a hot topic in recent years. With increased interest in using natural and sustainable products, many candle buyers are looking closer at wax sources and composition. Soy wax, made from hydrogenated soybean oil, has emerged as a popular alternative to paraffin wax, a petroleum byproduct. But which one is truly better for candle making? This article provides an overview comparing soy wax versus paraffin wax candles, including the benefits and drawbacks of each.

History of Candlemaking

The history of candlemaking dates back thousands of years. Candles were among the earliest inventions of humankind, providing an important portable source of light. Archaeological evidence indicates that rudimentary candles were made from rendered animal fats as early as 5,000 years ago in China and Egypt.

The early Egyptians are often credited with developing the first true candles around 3,000 BC. These ancient candles were made from beeswax and tallow (rendered beef or mutton fat) and had rush stems for wicks. The Egyptians poured melted beeswax over the stems to reinforce them. The Romans improved candle making during the first century AD by developing the dipped taper candle, which is created by repeatedly dipping a wick into melted tallow or beeswax and allowing it to harden. This became the most advanced form of candle making for centuries to come. The Chinese soon adopted the practice as well.

In Europe during the Middle Ages, candlemaking evolved into its own specialized trade called chandlery. The earliest professional chandlers made candles from beeswax for churches and noble households. However, tallow candles remained the most common candles for everyday use due to the expense of beeswax. The first guild of chandlers was founded in Paris in the 13th century. Candlemaking continued to expand and specialize in Europe over the following centuries.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_candle_making

Soy Wax Composition

Soy wax is made from hydrogenated soybean oil. The main ingredients are:

• Soybean oil – This is derived from soybeans and is the primary component of soy wax, making up 80-100% of the wax.
• Additives – Small amounts of other ingredients like paraffin or vybar may be added to modify the melting point, hardness, and scent throw. However, 100% soy wax contains no additives (1).
• Dyes and fragrances – These may be added for coloring and scenting the soy wax, but are not necessary ingredients (2).

The soybean oil is hydrogenated to turn it from a liquid oil into a solid wax. This hydrogenation process allows soy wax to burn slowly and cleanly (3).

Compared to paraffin wax, soy wax is made from a renewable and sustainable resource. It is also biodegradable and prevents petroleum waste (3).

Soy wax contains no toxins and is considered a “clean” candle wax choice (1). It is hard enough to hold its shape but softens at a low melting point, making it easy to work with (2).

Paraffin Wax Composition

Paraffin wax is derived from petroleum. The main ingredients in paraffin wax are straight-chain hydrocarbons known as alkanes. The two primary alkanes are tetracosane (C24H50) and hexacosane (C26H54). In addition to alkanes, paraffin wax contains branched alkanes and cycloalkanes, as well as oil impurities. Some brands may also add fragrances and dyes to paraffin wax.

One source breaks down the chemical composition of a typical paraffin wax as follows: Therabath Paraffin Wax Ingredients. The key components are 58% straight-chain alkanes, 40% iso- and cycloalkanes, and 2% oil.

Although the individual hydrocarbons in paraffin wax are not considered toxic, there have been concerns about the impurities present. The refining process may leave traces of carcinogens like benzene. However, most medical grade paraffin wax meets FDA standards for purity.

Soy Candle Benefits

Soy wax is made from soybeans, which are a renewable and sustainable resource. Soybeans are an agricultural waste product, so using them to make soy wax helps utilize materials that would otherwise go unused (CandleCrest.com). This sets soy candles apart from paraffin wax candles, which are made from petroleum, a non-renewable resource.

One of the main advantages of soy candles is that they burn cleaner than paraffin candles. The soy wax has a lower melting point and doesn’t produce sooty smoke as it burns. Paraffin wax produces more soot since it comes from crude oil (ScentedDesigns.com). The cleaner burn of natural soy wax doesn’t leave black residue on ceilings, walls, and candle jars like paraffin candles often do.

Soy wax is also biodegradable and better for the environment. Paraffin wax is a petroleum product that takes over 100 years to decompose. In contrast, soy wax comes from plants and breaks down naturally over time (CandleCrest.com). This makes soy wax a more eco-friendly and sustainable candle material.

Paraffin Candle Downsides

Paraffin wax, which comes from petroleum, is commonly used in candlemaking. However, paraffin wax has some notable downsides:

Paraffin is a non-renewable resource since it comes from crude oil. As a blog post from FRÆNDI discusses, paraffin wax is unsustainable and environmentally unfriendly because petroleum is a limited resource.

The petroleum-based wax also releases more soot and smoke when burned compared to natural waxes. According to Artisane NYC, paraffin candles emit carcinogenic chemicals like benzene and toluene. The soot can stain walls and cause respiratory irritation.

Overall, paraffin wax raises environmental and health concerns. Its reliance on nonrenewable petroleum and its soot emissions make it less ideal than natural, sustainable waxes.

Soy Candle Downsides

While soy wax candles have many benefits, they also have some potential downsides to consider. One downside is that soy wax has a lower melting point compared to paraffin wax. This means soy candles may not retain their shape or last as long as paraffin candles before the wax starts to melt and pool (Happyflame). The maximum burning temperature for soy wax is around 135-145°F, whereas paraffin wax can handle temperatures up to 185°F (Joetiehome).

Another potential downside is that soy wax may not have as strong of a scent throw as paraffin wax. The natural properties of soy wax can make it more difficult for fragrances and essential oils to fully permeate the wax. As a result, soy candles may not fill a room with fragrance as effectively as paraffin candles can (Joetiehome). The lower melting point of soy wax can also lead it to burn more quickly, dispersing the scent faster than a slower burning paraffin candle.

Overall, soy wax can be a bit trickier to work with compared to paraffin due to its lower melting point and fragrance throw. Candle makers need to account for these factors when using soy wax. However, there are techniques like adding more fragrance oil that can help compensate for the natural limitations of soy wax. Many soy candle companies are able to create excellent products by understanding how to properly handle and blend soy wax.

Paraffin Candle Benefits

Paraffin wax has some advantages for candlemaking over natural waxes like soy wax. Some of the key benefits of paraffin candles include:

Paraffin wax is much harder than soy wax, resulting in candles that retain their shape better over the course of burning. Soy wax candles are more prone to issues like wax pooling and mushrooming at the tops of the candles. The firmer texture of paraffin wax leads to candles that hold their shape longer (https://studia-umka.ru/en/to-year/vkusnye-podarki-na-den-svyatogo-valentina-originalnye.html).

Paraffin wax also provides candles with excellent scent throw. The wax itself has very little odor, allowing fragrance oils to really shine through. Soy wax can have more of its own scent that competes with fragrances. Paraffin candles are known for their superior hot and cold scent throw compared to natural waxes (https://studia-umka.ru/en/sensory-development/s-nastupayushchim-novym-godom-na-azerbaidzhanskom-yazyke-pozdravleniya-s-novym-godom.html).

Finally, paraffin wax is much less expensive than soy wax and other natural waxes. This allows paraffin candlemakers to offer lower prices. The affordability of paraffin wax makes it accessible to more consumers.

Other Natural Wax Options

Aside from soy, there are other natural wax options to consider for candlemaking:

Beeswax is a byproduct of honey production and has been used in candles for centuries. It has a lovely natural honey scent and burns brighter than other waxes (https://liveblogspot.com/shopping/7-reasons-choose-pure-natural-candles/). Beeswax candles are biodegradable and non-toxic.

Coconut wax comes from the coconut plant and offers excellent fragrance retention. It’s a clean-burning, sustainable option that doesn’t release toxins. Coconut wax also burns slowly and doesn’t melt in high temperatures (https://artgallery-themaster.com/diy-how-to-make-personalized-wedding-candles-at-home/).

Bayberry wax is derived from the berries of the bayberry shrub. It has a natural sweet, spicy aroma and was used historically to make candles before paraffin became popular. Bayberry wax is harder than beeswax and soy wax.

Conclusion

Based on their respective compositions and commonly cited pros and cons, soy candles do appear to have some advantages over traditional paraffin candles. The natural soy wax burns cleaner with less soot, releases fewer potentially harmful chemicals, and comes from a renewable resource. While paraffin is generally cheaper and potentially burns longer, its petroleum-based source and production of more smoke and scent-dulling soot give soy wax candles an environmental and performance edge.

That said, paraffin wax candles remain popular for a reason – they are affordable and effective. Paraffin wax itself is also not as dangerous as some make it out to be, as long as proper burning procedures are followed. Ultimately, soy wax or other natural wax candles may be preferable for those concerned about environmental impact or exposure to petroleum byproducts. However, both candle types will effectively provide lighting and fill a space with fragrance.

In the end, the choice between a soy wax or paraffin wax candle comes down largely to personal preference. Consideration should be given to performance, environmental values, scent diffusion, and budget. With plenty of options available in both categories, purchasers can decide which qualities are most important to them in choosing the optimal candle for their needs.