6 Different Types of Candle Waxes and Choosing the Right One

October 07, 2022

When it comes to buying a candle, there are a variety of options available made from different ingredients and components. Some ingredients may be toxic to the environment, your home, and your health. That’s why it’s essential to educate yourself on the different types of candle waxes so that you know how to choose the right one. Continue reading to learn more about candle waxes.

What Is Candle Wax?

To understand the different kinds of candle wax, you must first learn what candle wax is and its uses. Candle wax is a flammable solid containing carbon which changes physical properties when heated above room temperature. Simply, it transitions from a solid to a liquid state when heated.

When oils and fragrances add to the wax, its smell permeates the room, creating an enjoyable aromatic effect. Over the years, candlemakers have used many kinds of waxes in their creations. However, as certain waxes have continued to be studied, evidence has shown that certain wax derivatives are harmful to the human body and the environment.

Paraffin Wax

Some candle-making companies use paraffin wax in their products. It’s a synthetic product derived from the byproduct of petroleum, coal, or shale oil. It’s often sought out due to its affordable sourcing process, low melting point, and versatility. However, paraffin wax is not eco-friendly and can be toxic when burnt, unfortunately producing adverse effects.

The process of molding the wax into a candle is toxic. Known carcinogens such as acrolein and animal-based acids give paraffin wax its texture and harden the candle for use. This process is harmful to the environment and humans.

When burned, the paraffin releases soot, toxic fumes, and poisonous chemicals such as benzene, toluene, and tridecane, which aggravate the lungs and lead to respiratory complications or issues such as asthma. Skin irritants can reach your skin through the fumes in the air. These irritants can lead to itching or other inflammatory reactions that are far from ideal if you have any skin conditions.

Paraffin wax has many alternatives that are safer for the environment and humans. Continue reading to learn about them below.

Soy Wax

Soy wax is growing in popularity and dominating the markets (rightfully so) for its eco-friendly and sustainable properties. Soy wax is a vegan product derived entirely from soybeans. It burns cleaner than most waxes and holds fragrances particularly well. It’s recognized for being biodegradable and renewable compared to other waxes.

You can feel confident when purchasing a double wick soy candle because you are not only getting a clean burn, but you will have a long-lasting fragrant aroma lingering around your home long after snuffing it out.

Its soft and pliable texture makes it ideal for candle-making. Candlemakers and consumers alike enjoy soy wax candles for their ability to burn slowly, allowing you to enjoy them for longer and get the most out of your money.

Palm Wax

Palm wax is also a natural wax derived from hydrogenated palm oils. This vegan wax is made possible through the extraction of oil from palm trees, which is its environmental downside.

In order to extract palm oil, land is cleared to grow and farm palm trees, which is harmful to biodiversity and wildlife. It also contributes to the increase of carbon dioxide emissions, which is harmful to the environment and, more specifically, the ozone layer.

Palm wax is not ideal for candle production and is not generally recommended to the candle-making community for this reason.

Beeswax

Beeswax, as the name suggests, is a wax produced by honeybees. Because of the way the product is acquired, it is not considered vegan and is also very costly. Bees naturally produce this wax to store honey during the honey-making process.

Beeswax is versatile and one of the most natural forms of candle waxes. It’s also recognized to burn brighter and longer without releasing toxic and harmful fumes into the air. You can create or purchase a variety of candles due to their versatility, such as pillar candles, container candles, or taper candles.

Coconut Wax

Coconut wax is a vegan product naturally sourced from coconut oil. The coconut oil is hydrogenated and refined to produce this wax. The refining process removes the coconut smell, which is ideal for those who aren’t fans of the coconut scent or don’t want the coconut scent to interfere with the fragrances in the custom mix.

Coconut wax is known to be one of the most eco-friendly wax products you can use for multiple reasons. Not only is it ethically sourced, but coconut wax is also ideal for burning due to its smokeless and soot-free properties, ensuring you get a clean and toxin-free burn.

Rapeseed Wax

Rapeseed wax, also known as canola wax, is a vegan wax sourced through the hydrogenation of rapeseed oil. It’s known for its excellent fragrance retention, versatility, neutral odor, and burn time. It’s another cruelty-free and toxic-free wax with a minimal carbon footprint. This a high-quality option allows you to feel safe burning in your home.

How To Choose the Right Wax

Choosing the right candle wax boils down to your personal preferences and commitment to purchasing sustainable and eco-friendly products. If you live a health-conscious or vegan lifestyle, you should incorporate products that support this lifestyle. Not only does buying the more eco-friendly and sustainable wax help the environment, but it also improves your health.

Breathing in fumes and other toxic, cancer-causing chemicals is bad for your health. You should aim to purchase candles made with soy or rapeseed wax that don’t have questionable resourcing methods and are clean to burn in your home. Not only are they clean to burn, but they provide better quality products which result in you getting the most out of your money. From longer-lasting properties to stronger fragrances, the natural options are a far better option.

If you’ve never tried a soy wax, coconut wax, or rapeseed wax-based candle before, you should definitely give them a try and welcome this new sustainable and more enjoyable change to your home. You’ll be able to enjoy your candles without worrying about your health or that they contribute to an unsustainable and unethical process.

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