What Animal Products Are In Candles?

Candles are a source of light that typically consist of a wick embedded in wax, fat, or oil. Candle making dates back thousands of years, with the earliest evidence of candles appearing in China around 3,000 BC. These early candles were made from whale fat and plant waxes. In Ancient Egypt and Ancient Rome, candles were made from tallow (beef or mutton fat). The early Romans are credited with developing the wick candle, which allowed candles to burn slowly and consistently for long periods of time. Candle making spread throughout Europe during the Middle Ages, when beeswax candles became popular. Today, candles are still commonly made from paraffin wax, beeswax, soy wax, and other vegetable-based waxes.

Candles serve both practical and ceremonial purposes, providing light and setting ambiance. While their utility has evolved over time thanks to electric lighting, candles remain popular for their aesthetic qualities. The global candle market is estimated at over $11 billion annually.

Common Animal Products Used

There are a few animal products commonly found in candles such as beeswax, tallow, and lanolin. According to the website Great South Bay Candles, beeswax is one of the most common animal products used for making candles.

Beeswax comes directly from honeybees and is made from their wax glands. It has been used in candle making for centuries as it produces a bright and long-lasting flame. However, the harvesting of beeswax has led to concerns over the ethical treatment of bees. Many vegans avoid beeswax candles for this reason.

Tallow is rendered beef or mutton fat and gives candles a creamy finish and texture. Candles by Luma explains that tallow also contains stearic acid which helps harden candles. While many candles are paraffin-based, some still contain tallow or other animal fats.

Lanolin is a wax secreted by wool-bearing animals like sheep. It comes from their sebaceous glands and is extracted when shearing sheep. Lanolin is sometimes added to candles and other cosmetics. However, there are concerns around the well-being of sheep when lanolin is commercially harvested.

Beeswax

Beeswax is produced by honey bees and is naturally secreted from their abdomen glands. Beeswax is harvested by beekeepers from beehives [1]. It has properties that make it ideal for candle making, including its natural golden color, pleasant honey aroma, and ability to burn slowly and cleanly. Beeswax candles also emit negative ions which help purify the surrounding air [2].

The use of beeswax dates back to ancient Egypt when it was used for embalming, cosmetics, medicines, ship building and more. Today, beeswax remains a popular ingredient in candles, cosmetics, polishes and art media like encaustic painting [3]. It is valued for being natural, non-toxic, and biodegradable. When used in candle making, beeswax candles burn brighter and longer compared to paraffin wax candles. The honey scent and natural feel of beeswax is also preferred by many candle enthusiasts.

Tallow

Tallow is an animal fat that comes from beef or mutton. It has been used for centuries to make candles and soaps. Tallow has a high melting point and became popular for candles as it is firm and slow-burning (Source: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2014/01/tallow-emergency-candles.html).

The beef fat is rendered and filtered to produce tallow. Tallow candles burn slowly, don’t drip much when lit, and give off a subtle meaty aroma. Tallow was commonly used for candles before paraffin wax became popular in the 1850s. Today, some candle makers are returning to tallow as a natural alternative to paraffin (Source: https://whiteoakpastures.com/collections/tallow-candles-beauty).

Compared to paraffin wax, tallow candles are more environmentally friendly and sustainable. However, consumers should be aware that tallow comes from animal fat, in case this is an ethical concern.

Lanolin

Lanolin, also known as wool wax or wool grease, is a natural wax derived from the sebaceous glands of sheep. It is a byproduct of wool processing and is extracted from the raw wool during the scouring process. Lanolin is a yellow waxy substance that coats and protects the wool fibers.

Lanolin has a number of unique properties that make it useful in various products. It is highly viscous, emulsifiable, hydrophobic, and absorbent (source). These properties allow lanolin to be easily absorbed into the skin, provide moisture, and act as an emollient. Lanolin is non-comedogenic, meaning it does not clog pores. It also has minor antimicrobial properties.

Due to its moisturizing and emulsifying abilities, lanolin is commonly used in skincare products like lip balms and lotions. It is also found in many candle waxes as an additive. The lanolin adds viscosity to the wax and helps the fragrance throw of the candle. Lanolin candles are prized for their long burn times and smooth wax pools (source).

Other Animal Products

Some other animal-derived ingredients that can be found in candles include gelatin, bone fat, and horns/hooves. Gelatin, which is made by boiling skin, tendons, ligaments and/or bones of cows or pigs, can be used to make candles more transparent and harden faster.[1] Bone fat, also known as bone tallow, is extracted by boiling cattle bones and can provide hardness to candle wax.[2] Lastly, cattle horns and hooves that would otherwise go to waste can be processed into stearic acid and used to harden candle wax.[3]

Vegetable-Based Alternatives

Many candles today use vegetable-based waxes as an alternative to animal products like beeswax and tallow. Some common vegetable waxes include:

• Soy wax – Made from hydrogenated soybean oil. Soy wax burns cleanly and has a low melting point. It’s commonly used for container candles. Popular brands include Cargill’s NatureWax and CCS Soy Wax.

• Palm wax – Derived from the fruit of palm trees. Palm wax is hard and opaque. It makes good pillar candles. Sourcing palm wax sustainably is important due to deforestation concerns.

• Coconut wax – Pressed from the meat of coconuts. Coconut wax contains more oil than other vegetable waxes, so it has a lower melting point. It’s often blended with other waxes. Some brands are Coco Wax and Parrot Wax.

These vegetable-based waxes allow candle makers to avoid animal products. With the right wick and fragrance load, they can give excellent performance. Many candle enthusiasts prefer the clean burn and natural scents of vegetable wax candles.

Sources:

https://calcandlesupply.com/ccs-12-wax-soy-veggie-container-blend/

https://www.amazon.com/vegetable-wax/s?k=vegetable+wax

Synthetic Alternatives

One of the most common synthetic wax alternatives used in candle making is paraffin wax. Paraffin wax is a byproduct of petroleum refining and is often one of the least expensive waxes available (https://www.candlescience.com/wax/paraffin-wax/). It has a high melting point which makes it ideal for container candles, pillars, and votives. Paraffin wax is highly pliable and can hold large amounts of fragrance oil, making it a popular choice for scented candles (https://carmelindustries.com/blogs/all-blogs/how-to-make-your-own-paraffin-wax-candles-at-home).

However, paraffin wax has drawbacks as well. When burned, paraffin candles release compounds like toluene and benzene which are considered carcinogens. The soot released can also dirty surfaces in the home (https://malibuapothecary.com/blogs/clean-candles/is-paraffin-wax-toxic). For these reasons, some candle makers and consumers look for alternatives to paraffin wax.

Considerations

When choosing between animal-based and vegan candle options, there are a few key considerations:

Cost

Beeswax candles are often more expensive than paraffin wax candles. According to Highland Candle Company, beeswax can cost up to 10 times more than paraffin wax. However, soy wax and other vegetable waxes are competitively priced with paraffin.

Performance

Beeswax is prized for its natural scents and long burn time. However, well-formulated soy candles can match the performance of beeswax. Vegetable waxes like soy and coconut wax burn cleanly and have excellent scent throw.

Ethics

Using animal products raises ethical concerns about animal welfare and exploitation. PETA considers beeswax unethical because it is taken from beehives without the bees’ consent. However, soy, coconut, and other vegetable waxes provide ethical vegan alternatives.

Conclusion

In summary, several animal products are commonly used in candle making, including beeswax, tallow, lanolin, and animal fats. While these ingredients produce candles with certain desirable properties like scent and burn time, there are options for those wishing to avoid animal-derived ingredients. Vegetable-based waxes like soy, palm, and coconut provide alternative natural waxes, though may burn differently. Synthetic waxes like paraffin can also be used but are petroleum-based. Ultimately, consumers have options between natural animal waxes, plant-based waxes, and synthetic waxes when selecting candles, depending on their priorities for performance, scent, and ethical sourcing. Carefully reading the ingredient lists on candles can help identify which are animal-free.