Paraffin candles are the most common type available for sale. You can find them in many fragrances, and they’re usually economically priced. However, these benefits are undercut by the potential dangers of burning them. Derived from crude oil, paraffin wax has been shown to release carcinogenic chemicals like benzene and formaldehyde as it melts. Although research indicates that the amount emitted is low, many people wish to avoid burning them in their homes.
Vegetable-based candles allow you to enjoy the flickering candlelight and freshen the air in your home without releasing toxins that are found in paraffin candles. Soy candles and beeswax candles are popular alternatives. But which one is the better choice for your home? To find out, let’s compare soy vs. beeswax candles.
What are Soy Candles?
Soy candles are made from waxes produced during the manufacturing of hydrogenated soybean oil, the raw material used to produce tofu. The wax is bleached and deodorized and then mixed with essential oils or fragrance oils to give it scent.
Scents of Soy Candles
Soy candles come in a wide range of scents. Due to its properties, soy wax fully absorbs essential oils, so the scent they give off is noticeable, and because the wax burns cleaner than paraffin, you may notice a purer fragrance when burning soy candles.
Appearance and Flame Color of Soy Candles
Natural raw soy has a whitish-cream hue. Normally, soy candles are dyed various colors to enhance their appearance. The flame produced by a soy wax candle often has a cooler cast than a paraffin candle, similar to how fluorescent lighting compares to incandescent.
Burn Time of Soy Candles
Soy wax has a lower melting point than paraffin. This means that more heat is necessary to convert it from a solid to a liquid. Because of this, soy wax candles typically burn more slowly than paraffin candles of the same size.
Benefits of Soy Candles
Soy candles offer some distinctive benefits, including:
- Available in many colors and scents
- Longer burn time than paraffin
- Easily give off scent to distribute fragrance throughout a room
- Economically priced compared to other vegetable-based candles
- Vegan-friendly
Important Considerations When Buying Soy Candles
When shopping for soy candles, pay careful attention to the ingredients. Although you can find 100% soy wax candles, many products on the market that are labeled as soy are a blend of soy and paraffin. Manufacturers may not disclose the presence of paraffin, so be wary of candles that say “soy wax blend” without identifying what the other ingredients are. Also, some manufacturers use synthetic fragrances to scent soy candles, and these ingredients could give off volatile organic compounds (VOCs), pollutants that you likely wish to avoid if you’re looking for a natural alternative to traditional paraffin.
What are Beeswax Candles?
Beeswax candles are made from wax produced by worker honeybees when they make honeycombs. Raw beeswax is edible and over the centuries has been used for a variety of purposes from waterproofing materials to polishing wood and leather. The harvesting and processing of beeswax is time-consuming work, so beeswax candles may be pricier than soy.
Scents of Beeswax Candles
On its own, beeswax has a very subtle earthy, sweet scent that some people compare to honey. You can find scented beeswax candles, and normally, they feature essential oil fragrances rather than synthetic perfumes.
Appearance and Flame Color of Beeswax Candles
Beeswax candles are naturally a warm beige color, and they are usually not dyed. The candles give off a bright, warm glow that closely resembles that of paraffin candles but offers a cleaner burn due to its natural origins.
Burn Time of Beeswax Candles
Beeswax candles tend to be very dense. As a result, they usually burn more slowly than paraffin and soy candles of similar size.
Benefits of Beeswax Candles
- Longest burning times compared to soy and wax candles
- Able to absorb scents in the air to neutralize unwanted odors
- Can be easily made into votives, pillar candles and taper candles
- Less likely to be blended with paraffin
- Give off a bright, warm glow
Which is Better? Soy Candles or Beeswax Candles?
Ultimately, soy and beeswax candles are both good alternatives to ones made from paraffin. Provided that you read the labels and know for certain that the candles contain 100% soy or 100% beeswax, you can be confident that either type will burn more cleanly than a traditional paraffin candle. Which type of candle is right for you depends on your personal preferences. If you prefer pillars and tapers to jars and tealights, beeswax candles may be the better option. Vegans and those who burn candles primarily for their scent benefits may wish to opt for soy candles.
Deciding between the two may not be necessary because some candles are made from both soy and beeswax, giving you the benefits of both. Fresh Wave Odor Eliminating Candles are a great example of a vegetable-based wax blend. Our soy-beeswax candles contain no harmful ingredients. We also use plant oils instead of synthetic ingredients to ensure a cleaner burn, and our wicks are free of lead. The 7-ounce jar candles burn for at least 30 hours, releasing natural scents that neutralize tough odors like grease, onions, garlic, bathroom smells, cigarette smoke, and pet smells. After you’ve finished enjoying your candle, you can even recycle the glass jar to reduce landfill waste. Discover the benefits of soy-beeswax candles by ordering Fresh Wave Odor Eliminating Candles.
