4 Different Waxes for Scented Candles

The raw material mainly used for making scented candles is wax, which can be divided into natural wax and artificial wax. Common natural waxes are soy wax, beeswax, and coconut wax, while the most common artificial wax is paraffin wax, derived from petroleum. Wax is a complex mixture of organic compounds. Therefore, the chemical composition and physical properties of different waxes differ. When choosing scented candles, we need to understand the differences between them and choose the product that best suits us.

Coconut wax

Coconut wax is a plant wax made from coconut. It is an oil-soluble ester derived from plants, with a melting point of around 100F. Therefore, it is safe to burn it or drop it on the skin. Premium coconut wax can even be applied as hand cream.

Soy Wax

Soy wax is made of hydrogenated soybean oil. It is soft, eco-friendly and natural. The jar candle made of soybean wax sticks firmly to the cup and does not crack. The pigment is also evenly distributed. Soy wax burns without black smoke, produces no carcinogens, and the burning residue is biodegradable. It is currently the best wax on the market and the first choice for many scented candle instructors.

Beeswax

Beeswax is a fatty substance secreted by four pairs of wax glands in the abdomen of worker bees. It can be divided into beeswax and white beeswax. Premium beeswax has a fragrance of honey and is expensive. It is often used to mix with other wax to increase the hardness and density of the candle. Meanwhile, because of its high melting point, hardness, frangibility, and high contractility with cold, beeswax cannot stick firmly to the jar and tends to deform when made into jar candles.

Paraffin Wax

Paraffin wax belongs to mineral wax. It is a laminar or acicular crystal refined from crude oil, often used to make wax paper, crayons, fiberboard, and canvas, etc. It has a high melting point and is hard, and thus it is suitable for making mold release. Refined paraffin wax is food grade and very safe to burn, while unrefined paraffin wax is only suitable for making decorative candles, not suitable for making scented candles that burn indoors.