Soy, beeswax and paraffin are the three candle waxes you will see most. Each has real strengths, and the best one depends on what you want from a candle. We pour soy, but here is a fair look at all three.
Quick comparison
| Soy | Beeswax | Paraffin | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comes from | Soybeans | Honeycomb | Petroleum |
| Natural scent | Very little | Light honey | None |
| Added fragrance | Holds it well | Holds less, often left unscented | Holds it well |
| Burn | Slower than paraffin | Slow | Faster |
| Price | Middle | Highest | Lowest |
Soy candles
Soy wax is made from soybean oil. It is a soft wax that melts at a low temperature, which makes it a natural fit for jars and tins. It holds fragrance well, so it suits scented candles, and it burns slower than paraffin. Soy can grow a white, crystal-like frosting on its surface over time, which is natural and only cosmetic. Read labels closely: a “soy blend” may contain paraffin. If you want pure soy, look for 100% soy.
Beeswax candles
Beeswax comes from honeycomb. It has a warm golden color and a light, natural honey scent, and it is a hard wax with a high melting point, so it burns slowly and makes good pillars and tapers. It is the priciest of the three, and it does not carry added fragrance as well, so most beeswax candles are unscented or only lightly scented. You may see claims that beeswax cleans the air. There is little solid evidence for that, so choose beeswax for its scent and slow burn rather than for air cleaning.
Paraffin candles
Paraffin is a byproduct of refining petroleum. It is the cheapest candle wax and the most common one in mass-market candles. It carries fragrance strongly and comes in every shape and color, but it burns faster than soy or beeswax. Much of the concern about candle smoke centers on paraffin, and many shoppers would simply rather skip petroleum wax.
Coconut wax and blends
Coconut wax is often blended with soy or paraffin to make a creamy, smooth candle. Blends are common, so read the label for the full list of waxes.
Which candle wax is best?
- For a scented candle from a plant wax, choose soy.
- For an unscented candle with a natural honey glow, and if price is no object, choose beeswax.
- For the lowest price, paraffin is the cheapest.
Whatever the wax, the fragrance and wick matter too. Look for phthalate-free fragrance and a lead-free wick. Our guide are candles bad for you? covers what else to look for on the label.
Why we pour soy
We hand-pour every Candlecopia candle from 100% soy wax, with no paraffin, phthalate-free fragrance oils and lead-free cotton wicks, in over 200 scents. Soy gives us a slow, even burn and a strong scent in every jar and tin. Browse our soy candles, or try any scent first as soy wax melts.
Questions people ask
It depends on what you want. Beeswax burns slowly with a light honey scent but costs more and carries little added fragrance. Soy is a plant wax that holds fragrance well, so it suits scented candles.
Soy comes from a plant rather than petroleum and burns slower than paraffin. Paraffin is cheaper and carries scent strongly. Many people choose soy to avoid petroleum wax.
Soy mixed with another wax, often paraffin. If you want pure soy, look for 100% soy on the label.
The claim is common, but there is little solid evidence for it. Choose beeswax for its natural scent and slow burn rather than for air cleaning.