Is Soy Wax Better Than Paraffin?

Soy wax and paraffin wax are two of the most common types of wax used for candle making. Paraffin wax is a petroleum-based wax made from crude oil, while soy wax is made from soybeans and is a renewable resource. Both have their pros and cons when it comes to factors like burn time, scent throw, appearance, cost, and ecological impact.

This article provides an overview of soy wax and paraffin wax, comparing them across factors like environmental sustainability, melting point, burn time, fragrance, cost, and health concerns. We’ll examine the advantages and disadvantages of each type of candle wax to help readers determine if soy wax is better than paraffin for their needs.

Environmental Impact

When considering the renewability of soy wax versus paraffin wax, soy wax has a clear advantage. Soy wax is made from soybean oil, which comes from soybean plants that are grown annually. This makes soy wax a renewable and sustainable resource since new soybean crops are planted each year.

In comparison, paraffin wax is derived from petroleum, which is a non-renewable fossil fuel. Petroleum is formed over millions of years and cannot be renewed in a short period of time. Once crude oil reserves are depleted, more cannot be created quickly. This makes paraffin not eco-friendly or sustainable long-term.

According to Soy Wax vs. Paraffin Wax: Which Candle is More Sustainable?, “Soy wax comes from a renewable, sustainable resource – soybeans! Paraffin, on the other hand, comes from crude oil, which is destructive to our environment to extract.” Therefore, when comparing renewability, soy wax is much more eco-friendly and sustainable than paraffin wax.

Sustainability

Soy wax is considered more sustainable and eco-friendly than paraffin wax. Soy wax is made from soybean oil, a renewable resource that is grown annually. Paraffin wax, on the other hand, is a petroleum byproduct created from crude oil extraction (The Truth About Paraffin Wax And Sustainability).

The production process of soy wax has a lower environmental impact. Soybean crops absorb carbon dioxide as they grow, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Paraffin wax production releases emissions and toxic chemicals. Additionally, soy wax is biodegradable, while paraffin wax can persist in the environment (Soy Wax vs. Paraffin Wax: Which Candle is More Sustainable?).

Overall, soy wax is considered a more eco-friendly and sustainable choice compared to petroleum-based paraffin wax.

Smoke Point

The smoke point refers to the temperature at which a wax starts to produce smoke. This is an important safety consideration when making candles.

Paraffin wax has a higher smoke point, ranging from 115-142°F (46-61°C) https://brookotascreations.com/which-temperature-does-candle-wax-melt-complete-list-of-waxes/. This allows paraffin candles to be burned at higher temperatures before producing smoke.

Soy wax has a lower smoke point, usually around 160-170°F (71-76°C) https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-difference-between-soy-wax-paraffin-raymond-dai. Soy candles need to be burned cooler to avoid smoking.

The higher smoke point of paraffin makes it safer in terms of minimizing smoke production. However, soy wax is still safe if burned at proper temperatures below its smoke point.

Scent Throw

Scent throw refers to how well a candle diffuses its fragrance into the surrounding air. When comparing soy wax to paraffin wax, paraffin typically provides a stronger scent throw. This is because on a molecular level, paraffin wax is better at holding and dispersing fragrance oils than soy wax.

According to The Flaming Candle, “As a general rule, paraffin waxes still provide better scent throw than soy waxes.” They attribute this to the fact that fragrance oils are specifically designed to be compatible with paraffin wax. The molecular structure of paraffin allows fragrance oils to adequately permeate the wax and diffuse when melted.

Lonestar Candle Supply also confirms “When you compare the scent throw of a paraffin candle to that of a soy candle, usually the scent throw is stronger in paraffin.” They explain that paraffin’s long hydrocarbon chains are able to retain more fragrance oil than the short chains found in soy wax.

However, there are ways to boost scent throw in soy candles. Using a small amount of paraffin in a soy wax blend can help. Testing different soy wax varieties and wick types can also maximize fragrance diffusion. But in general, paraffin still holds an advantage for scent throw over pure soy wax.

Melting Point

The melting point of a wax refers to the temperature at which the wax transitions from a solid to a liquid state. This is an important characteristic when considering candle waxes, as it impacts performance.

Paraffin wax tends to have a higher melting point, typically between 115-150°F (46-66°C) (HOME Workshop, 2022), while soy wax melts at slightly lower temperatures of 115-135°F (46-57°C) (Blended Waxes Inc., 2023). The variation in melting points depends on the type of paraffin or soy wax used.

The higher melting point of paraffin allows candles made from this wax to retain their shape better in warmer environments. However, the lower melting point of soy wax means the fragrance may be released more readily as the wax liquefies at lower temperatures.

Ultimately, the ideal wax type depends on the desired performance and use of the candle. Soy wax may be preferable for containers, while paraffin suits freestanding pillars. Knowing the melting behavior helps select the right wax for the job.

Appearance

There are notable visual differences between soy wax and paraffin wax. Paraffin wax is a byproduct of petroleum refining and is typically colorless, odorless, and transparent (Source: https://lonestarcandlesupply.com/soy-vs-paraffin/). Soy wax, on the other hand, has a creamy off-white color and is opaque (Source: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-difference-between-soy-wax-paraffin-raymond-dai). The opacity of soy wax can provide a cleaner, more even burn and throw scent better than the more translucent paraffin. However, paraffin’s clarity allows colors to appear brighter.

In summary, paraffin wax tends to be clear while soy wax has an opaque, off-white appearance. Paraffin shows colors vividly but soy better hides impurities and discoloration.

Cost

There is a significant price difference between paraffin wax and soy wax. Paraffin wax is derived from petroleum and is generally the more affordable option. According to Candlescience.com, paraffin wax costs $1.99 to $4.79 per pound, depending on the specific formula. Soy wax, which is made from soybeans, costs $5.95 to $9.95 per pound at Candlescience. LonestarCandleSupply.com shows a similar pricing difference, with paraffin wax ranging from $2.50 to $4.99 per pound compared to soy wax at $5.95 to $8.95 per pound.

The price difference stems from the base ingredients. Paraffin wax comes from a byproduct of gasoline production, so it is relatively inexpensive. Soy wax comes from soybeans which must be grown, harvested, processed and refined into wax, resulting in higher costs. However, supporters of soy wax claim the higher price is worth it for the environmental and performance benefits compared to paraffin wax.

Health Concerns

There has been some debate over potential health risks associated with burning paraffin wax. One 2009 study found that burning paraffin wax releases harmful chemicals like toluene, however this study was never officially published (https://www.healthline.com/health/are-candles-bad-for-you). Some sources claim paraffin wax can emit benzene and other carcinogens when burned, but research verifying this is limited.

On the other hand, soy wax is generally considered non-toxic and environmentally friendly. Soy wax comes from soybean oil, a renewable and sustainable resource. When burned, soy wax does not appear to release concerning levels of toxins. According to most sources, soy wax has minimal health risks compared to paraffin (https://happywax.com/blogs/from-the-blog/7-health-issues-caused-by-paraffin-wax).

Overall, there is more concern over the potential health effects from paraffin wax versus soy wax. However, many claim both waxes are safe when used properly. More research may be needed to conclusively determine if certain waxes carry higher health risks.

Conclusions

In summary, there are a few key differences between soy wax and paraffin wax when it comes to candle making. Soy wax is more environmentally sustainable and renewable since it is made from soybeans. Paraffin wax comes from petroleum, so it is not as eco-friendly. However, paraffin wax has a higher melting point which allows it to hold its shape better in warmer environments. It also has a higher smoke point, meaning it can burn hotter and produce more scent throw.

Soy wax produces a softer glow and is often perceived as more natural looking in appearance. Paraffin wax candles give off more soot and require proper wick maintenance to avoid issues. In terms of cost, paraffin wax tends to be cheaper than soy wax. From a health perspective, soy wax is often marketed as the safer choice given paraffin wax releases small amounts of carcinogens when burned.

Overall, for those concerned about sustainability and reducing petroleum oil consumption, soy wax makes the most sense. For candle makers focused purely on performance, paraffin may be preferable in some regards. Consider both the pros and cons highlighted above when deciding between these two popular candle wax options.