The lowdown on candle wax

Do you love candles but feel overwhelmed by the choice at your local store?
I’m not talking about the choice of scents (but to be fair, that can also be pretty overwhelming). No, I’m talking about the types of candles. Candles are made from all types of wax including soy, paraffin and beeswax. But what’s the difference between them?
We spoke to Nicole Eckels, Co-founder and Director of Glasshouse Fragrances and Circa Home, about the different types of candle wax. As it turns out, the difference between the types of candle wax is minimal, and the choice between them simply comes down to personal preference.
Soy candles
Soy wax is a non-toxic wax commonly used for candles. It is derived from a hydrogenated form of soybean oil. Nicole says: “There are no real benefits of soy – it comes down to personal preference.”
To get the most out of your soy candle, you must show it a bit of love. Re-centering wicks is the best way to maintain a burning candle. Ensure wicks are upright and trimmed to 7mm.
If soy candles are your ‘thing’, check out the Circa Home products. They provide a range of natural soy scented candles to suit different occasions and different areas of the house and if maintained correctly, they will last around 45-50 hours!
Paraffin candles
Paraffin wax is often given a bad rap, but it is the most widely used wax for candle making in the world. How does that make sense?
Nicole puts the negative view of paraffin wax down to a selling message that comes from the makers of other types of wax, rather than the facts based on the chemistry of wax. “There have been very few studies carried out on the subject, so it is difficult for consumers to get the information in order to make their own decision,” she says. One such study that was conducted at the Beyreuth Institute for Environmental Investigations in Germany concluded that all types of wax – including paraffin – burned in the same manner, creating comparable emissions, and posing no discernible risk to human health or indoor air quality.
Paraffin wax is not bad for you after all! In fact, it is a non-toxic wax approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is also commonly found in candy, ice cream coating and coating for hard cheese and skin care products.
If you are after high-quality paraffin wax candles, Glasshouse candles are made from non-toxic food grade wax with lead-free cotton wicks. Nicole points out that their candles are safe to burn, even in the presence of babies or those with allergies.
Like soy candles, the best way to maintain paraffin candles is to re-centre and trim the wick to 7mm. Regularly trimming the wick of your paraffin candle will ensure that is stops emitting carbon – the black residue that is sometimes found on the glass of your candle. If maintained correctly, Glasshouse candles may burn for up to 80 hours.
Beeswax candles
Beeswax is a natural material. It occurs in a range of colours – from creamy white, to pink, orange and even brown – depending on the flowers the bees have been foraging. Beeswax candles are the longest burning candle on the market, and can last up to 100 hours. For those who have a sensitive nose, they are a great option as they produce a subtle, honey fragrance. To maintain your beeswax candle, make sure the wick is straightened regularly, and trim it to 5mm after every burn.
“Candle manufacturers select waxes or blends of waxes based on their suitability for specific types of candles or formulation profiles, as well as their own candle-making preference,” surmises Nicole. We recommend you use the same discretion when choosing between soy, paraffin or beeswax candles yourself.
What’s your favourite type of candle wax and fragrance?
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80 Member Comments
I am addicted to buying candles it's not even funny! I have so many at home and burn different ones depending on mood/time of day, I just love them. I personally like soy candles the most because I find that they retain their scent for a long time, and the scent is quite strong when burned and even when not burning and just left open, they can really perk up a room
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Had no idea that Circa and Glasshouse were owned by the same company.
Makes scents!
Sorry.. trying to be punny!
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I do not mind what sort of candle it is as long as it smells great and has a great scent throw.
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Is paraffin wax made from petroleum??
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Derived from petroleum, yes...
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LOVE Circa Home candles! They're always my go to! Especially their Christmas scents
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I haven't tried the bee's wax or the soy one's yet. The normal one's yes I definitely love the scented one's soo relaxing just to be near them they would drift me off to sleep well worth the money I pay for that.
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Thanks for the hints. Soy is my preference.
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I have had a thing for Soy candles for a while now. I think the smell of a candle before it's burning is not always a good indication of the smell it will have when it's burning, some candles end up having next to no smell once you start burning them.
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I agree, I purchased one recently, smelt amazing in the shop. Got it home and lit it and it has almost no scent when burning :(
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As much as I love the scents of glasshouse, I prefer soy candles as the seem to burn better to me.
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A couple of years ago I was in New York and came across Yankee Candles. To me they are one of the best candles. Not only do they smell fabulous there is the biggest range of scents available.
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I tend to go for a candle based on the scent, rather than it's wax format. That said, a quick look on candles at home show I mainly have soy ones on hand
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I enjoy candles but always scared I will forget to blow it out !
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i loveeee candles!!
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I was recently blessed with a few candles from Glasshouse. Gee those things are expensive!
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I love the aromatherapy range from Dusk but I wish they wouldn't have changed the designs from round to square. Those pretty little covers don't look as nice any more on the square designs.
Bees wax candles are also a favourite of mine and many years ago I used to make my own. I love candles :)
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I love candles, never payed attention to what its made off though!
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I wheeze fro most of them, hard to know which is which, they do not put "ingredients list" for candles so I just do not use them any more
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To be honest I've never given any thought to the type of wax used in my candles. I buy them only if I like the scent.
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So disappointed that BH got rid of Yankee Candles, I really wanted to review their 'Beach Walk'! ):
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the dearer ones also smell so much nicer
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