Unveiling the Diversity of Candle Wax

Candles have been used for various practical and symbolic purposes for thousands of years across various cultures and traditions. Candle wax is more than just a fuel for candles; it plays a crucial role in determining a candle’s burning time, scent throw, and overall performance. Choosing the right wax for the candle making projects is essential to achieve the desired results. The popular types of candle wax are beeswax, soy wax, coco wax, palm wax and paraffin wax.

These waxes differ in their origins, characteristics, properties, and environmental impact, health and safety considerations, performance, quality. Understanding the differences between these waxes can greatly enhance the candle making experience.

Lets have an overview of the different types of candle wax and highlight the importance of selecting the appropriate wax for the specific needs.

Beeswax – A Sticky Tale of Beauty and Goodness

Beeswax is a fascinating substance produced by honey bees. Worker bees secrete beeswax from wax-producing glands located on the inner sides of their abdominal segments. The substance is produced as waxy scales that form thin sheets. It can be chewed up by the worker bee and molded into any shape they choose. Bees produce beeswax mainly to create honeycomb cells for storing honey and protecting eggs and larvae.

In ancient times, when honey was extracted from honeycombs, people also utilized beeswax. This beeswax served as a valuable resource for lighting. People crafted small lamps, known as “baattis,” using various materials, and then placed them within the beeswax to create light.

Beeswax has a rich history that spans cultures and civilizations. In India, Initially it was used for lightening purposes, eventually it revealed its true purpose. Over time, beeswax has played a significant role in religious and cultural traditions. It was used to create candles for religious ceremonies and offerings. Burning beeswax was believed to purify the air and bring good luck, its golden allure has captivated civilizations throughout history, and references to its existence can be found in ancient texts. Truly, beeswax is a precious gift from nature.

Beeswax stands out in candlemaking due to its unique qualities. It’s natural, emits a subtle honey-like scent when burned, and burns cleanly emitting little to no soot or toxins.

When beeswax candles burn, they release negative ions into the air. These ions can help neutralize airborne pollen, mites, dust, dirt and pollutants, contributing to better indoor air quality. Also, these ions can counteract the positive ions produced by electronic devices and promote a sense of well-being

Unlike paraffin that can release harmful chemicals when burnt, beeswax candles are a healthier option. The natural scent of beeswax is delicate and sweet, beeswax candles provide a gentle fragrance without overpowering the room. This natural scent can have a soothing effect, helping to alleviate anxiety and improve mood.

In summary, Beeswax is highly valued due to its natural properties and availability. Incorporating beeswax candles into the  environment can certainly contribute to a positive mindset and can have potential health benefits.

Soy Wax – A Byproduct of Soybean Farming

Soy wax is a processed vegetable wax made from the oil of soybeans. After harvesting, the beans are cleaned, cracked, de-hulled, and rolled into flakes. The oil is then extracted from the flakes and hydrogenated. This hydrogenation process converts some of the fatty acids in the oil from unsaturated to saturated, resulting in a solid texture at room temperature. During the transformation process, chemists also add other chemical additives to refine the properties of soy wax.

Many soy wax products lack ethical sourcing as the increasing demand for soybeans has led to deforestation, soil erosion, greenhouse gas emissions, and lower water quality.

Soy wax candles release formaldehyde and other toxic chemicals as they burn. Formaldehyde is a colorless gas with a distinct odor, even low levels of formaldehyde exposure can irritate the skin, eyes, nose, and throat. Short-term effects include headaches, runny nose, nausea, and difficulty breathing. Repeated exposure to formaldehyde can potentially lead to cancer.

Soy wax has the tendency to expand or contract due to changes in temperature and the natural characteristics of soy wax. It is not flexible with some types of fragrance oils. It may create frost marks in the candle or tart. The scent throw of soy wax may be less intense compared to some other waxes.

Compared to paraffin wax, soy wax emits fewer toxins when burned. However, as it is a processed product with added chemicals, it can be sensitive for  some people who may still react to soy wax or its additives.

Exploring Coconut Wax

Coconut wax is a byproduct of the coconut, it is made from coconut meat or coconut oil. The processing of coconut wax involves extreme pressure and high heat.The heat can cause some nutrient and antioxidant loss. It is often blended with soy wax to enhance its properties. Coconut wax has no color or scent rather it has a soft, creamy white appearance.

Coconut wax has a lower melting point compared to other waxes which can affect its performance in warmer climates and it can only last up to 50% of beeswax candles of the same size. Also it has limited candle options as not all candle shapes or designs can be made with coconut wax due to its softer texture.

To meet the high demand, sometimes the coconut wax may be blended with paraffin, the yellow carnauba wax when mixed with coconut wax can cause eye irritation when it comes into contact with the eyes.

Exploring Palm Wax

Palm wax is made from the oil of palm trees, which is extracted, sterilized, clarified, and purified. It is made through the process of fruit milling and oil extraction. Processors mill the palm fruit and extract the oil in order to prepare it for use in candle making and other products. Palm wax has a wide range of uses, including in candles, cosmetics, and food packaging.

Palm wax is linked to unethical farming and labor practices also as the production of palm wax faced a backlash when some plantations were allegedly causing significant forest destruction. Other issues related to palm wax production are exploitation of workers, illegal deforestation and resulting forest fires, community conflicts, and illegal plantation developments.

Yellow carnauba wax is derived from the Copernica prunifera palm native to Brazil. It can cause skin-related issues such as dryness, acne, rashes, and inflammation. Although rare, some people may experience dizziness or nausea due to exposure to carnauba wax.

Paraffin Wax – A Byproduct of Petroleum

Petroleum, also known as crude oil, has a history dating back over 2000 years. It was first discovered and extracted during ancient times. This fossil fuel forms from the remains of plants and animals that lived long ago.

Paraffin wax is a petroleum byproduct, first produced in 1830 by Carl Reichenbach in Germany. Production of paraffin wax starts with a multi-step process known as fractional distillation. Petroleum is first separated into components called fractions. What ultimately becomes paraffin wax belongs to the residue fraction. The residue fraction is then refined to remove impurities like oil, colorants, and aromatic compounds. The final step involves chilling the wax to filter out certain hydrocarbons, which results in the soft-solid consistency characteristic of paraffin candle wax.

As paraffin wax is derived from petroleum, it is a non-renewable resource which may concern environmentally conscious individuals. When burned, paraffin wax releases harmful chemicals into the air, including benzene and toluene. Breathing high levels of benzene can lead to drowsiness, dizziness, rapid heart rate, headaches, and unconsciousness. Breathing toluene vapors in small amounts may cause mild symptoms like headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, or nausea.

Paraffin wax candles tend to have a shorter burn time compared to other types of candles. When using paraffin wax one has to be cautious if they have sensitive skin or poor blood circulation, as it may cause heat rash or other skin issues. Inhaling paraffin fumes can cause respiratory problems, especially for those with asthma or lung conditions. Some individuals may experience nausea due to exposure to paraffin wax.

Paraffin candles produce black soot as they burn. This soot can stain walls, ceilings, and furniture. The smell of burning paraffin candles is similar to that of a smoked cigarette which can be unpleasant and may cause allergies or sensitivities.