Five Reasons Why Soy Wax Candles are the Better Choice

by Rachel Atkins

We all know that natural is better, right?  Well that principle stands true for candles as well!  The ingredients in your candles matter, because when a candle burns, the stuff it’s made up of burns as well, piling up into the air and your body.  The type of candle you choose makes all the difference, determining whether this is a good thing or not.

Soy wax is natural

Soy wax comes from the soybean plant.  It is made from the hydrogenated vegetable oil that forms a solid at room temperature (think coconut oil).  Because it is plant-based, it doesn’t contains the harmful toxins that are found in paraffin wax, which is made from petroleum oil!  That’s right- every time you burn a traditional, mass-produced candle, you are burning petroleum oil and its toxins right into your home and body!

Soy wax is environmentally friendly

Because soy wax is made from the soybean plant, it is an extremely environmentally friendly option compared to paraffin wax.  Paraffin wax is made from petroleum oil, which is not a renewable resource, whereas soybeans are renewable year after year.  The only limit to how much soy wax is available is how much is grown.

Think about every time you blow a candle out.  Remember seeing that stream of black smoke rise up into the air?  That black soot  is full of toxins that can actually leave a stain on the curtains or walls inside your home.  Some of those chemicals are actually carcinogens (chemicals that have been known to cause cancer).  Paraffin wax releases those carcinogens into the air every time they are burned. Because soybean wax is plant-based, it does not release any harmful chemicals when distinguished, which means you are breathing nothing but natural goodness!

Soy wax is safer

We’ve already learned that soy wax is safer for the environment and for our internal systems.  However, it is also safer for us in the case of an accident.  The hydrogenation process that produces the wax changes the properties of fat found in the soy bean oil, altering the melting point and causing it to form a solid at room temperature.  This lower melting point means that the temperature of the flame does not need to be as high to melt the wax.  In the case of an accidental spill, soy wax would not cause burns as severe as those caused by paraffin wax because it is burning at a lower temperature.

Soy wax lasts longer (cheaper $$)

Soy wax burns much slower and more evenly than traditional paraffin wax candles, which often feature uneven burns and wax clinging to the sides of the container or piling up to one side.  Because soy wax burns slower, it will last longer, thus saving you money

Soy wax scents are stronger

Soy wax candles that are made with essential oils feature not only a more prominent scent, but come with added health benefits as well.  A candle made with soy wax is free from all of the nasty toxins mentioned earlier, meaning that the scents from the essential oils will be stronger and more effective.  The clean nature of the soy wax acts as the perfect carrier, allowing essential oils to thrive.

You can read about some of the health benefits here (link to previous post about scents for productive mornings)