Choosing the Best Wax for Your Candles

Candles are a great way to create a cozy and relaxing atmosphere in your home. They can also fill your space with delightful aromas and enhance your mood. But did you know that not all candles are made equal? The type of wax that is used to make a candle can have a significant impact on its performance, appearance, and quality. In this article, we will explore the different types of wax that are commonly used for candle making, and help you choose the best one for your needs.

Types of Wax for Candle Making

There are many types of wax that can be used to make candles, but the most popular ones are:

Soy Wax

This is a natural wax that is derived from soybean oil. It is one of the most eco-friendly and renewable waxes available, as it does not produce any harmful byproducts or toxins when burned. Soy wax is biodegradable and has a creamy and smooth texture. It can also hold a lot of fragrance oil and it burns slowly and evenly, creating a long-lasting candle. However, soy wax also has many drawbacks compared to other types, such as being prone to frosting (a white crystalline layer on the surface of the candle), having a lower melt point (which can affect its stability in hot weather), and requiring a longer curing time (which can delay the release of the scent). It also generally has a harder time getting a strong scent throw (how strong the fragrance is) and is aesthetically less pleasing vs other types of wax. Soy wax also doesn’t hold color as well as some other types.

Paraffin Wax

This is a wax that is made from petroleum. It is the most widely used and cheapest wax for candle making, as it is readily available and easy to work with. Paraffin wax has a high melt point, which makes it suitable for creating candles with different shapes and sizes. It also has a strong cold and hot scent throw, meaning candles made using this wax will generally smell the strongest vs any other wax. Paraffin, due to its ease of use and favorable properties, is often blended with other types of wax to stabilize them and make them more suitable for use in candles. However, paraffin wax also has some disadvantages, such as being non-renewable and non-biodegradable, and the controversy surrounding whether or not it produces any harmful emissions into your environment, although in reality, studies have shown virtually identical emissions between paraffin and other “more natural” candles. It is also important to mention that being non-biodegradable does not necessarily imply harmful to the environment in the same way that plastic might be. Highly processed paraffin wax (such as is often used in candles) can actually be food-grade and is used in food products at your local grocery store.

Coconut Wax

This is a natural wax that is made from coconut oil. It is a relatively new and innovative wax for candle making, as it offers many benefits over other waxes. It has a creamy and glossy appearance, and can hold a lot of fragrance oil. Coconut wax burns cleanly and slowly, creating a long-lasting and high-quality candle. However, coconut wax also has some challenges, such as being more expensive and harder to find than other waxes, having a higher viscosity (which can make it difficult to pour and wick), and requiring a specific type of wick (such as wooden or cotton wicks) to ensure a proper burn. The ability for a strong scent throw, combined with the natural origin of coconut wax, is why we incorporate it into our products at Salient Scents.

Beeswax 

This is a natural wax that is produced by honey bees. It is one of the oldest and most traditional waxes for candle making, as it has been used for centuries. Beeswax usually has a golden and rich color, which can make it difficult to dye, however, versions exist that have been altered to be white and do not have this issue. Beeswax has a subtle and sweet honey scent. It is also hypoallergenic and antibacterial, which makes it ideal for people with allergies or sensitivities. Beeswax burns slowly and brightly, creating a warm and cozy ambiance. However, beeswax also has some limitations, such as being more expensive and harder to source than other waxes, having a low scent throw (which means that it does not emit a lot of fragrance when burned), and being incompatible with some fragrance oils (which can cause the wax to crack or separate).

Common Blends of Wax for Candle Making

In addition to using a single type of wax, some candle makers also like to blend different types of wax together to create a unique and customized product. Some of the common blends of wax for candle making are:

Soy and paraffin blend

This is a blend of soy wax and paraffin wax, usually in a ratio of 50:50 or 60:40. This blend combines the best of both worlds, as it offers the natural and eco-friendly benefits of soy wax, and the strong and versatile performance of paraffin wax. This blend can create candles with a smooth and creamy texture, a high scent throw, and a long burn time. However, this blend can also inherit some of the drawbacks of both waxes, such as being prone to frosting and requiring a longer curing time.

Coconut and soy blend

This is a blend of coconut wax and soy wax, usually in a ratio of 70:30 or 80:20. This blend is one of the most popular and premium blends for candle making, as it offers the high-quality and luxurious features of coconut wax, and the natural and renewable advantages of soy wax. This blend can create candles with a glossy and smooth texture, a high scent throw, and a clean and slow burn. However, this blend can also be more expensive and harder to find than other blends, and require a specific type of wick to ensure a proper burn.

Beeswax and coconut blend 

This is a blend of beeswax and coconut wax, usually in a ratio of 30:70 or 40:60. This blend is a great option for those who want to create a natural and organic candle, as it combines the benefits of beeswax and coconut wax. This blend can create candles with a rich and golden color, a subtle and sweet scent, and a bright and long-lasting burn. However, this blend can also be more costly and harder to source than other blends, and have a low scent throw and a high viscosity.

How to Choose the Best Wax for Your Candles

As you can see, there are many factors to consider when choosing the best wax for your candles, such as the type, the blend, the performance, the appearance, the quality, and the cost. Ultimately, the best wax for your candles depends on your personal preference, your budget, your target market, and your desired outcome. Here are some tips to help you choose the best wax for your candles:

Determine your goal

What is the purpose of your candle? Is it to create a relaxing and cozy atmosphere, to fill your space with a delightful aroma, to decorate your home with a beautiful and unique product, or to sell your candles to a specific niche or audience? Knowing your goal can help you narrow down your options and focus on the most important aspects of your candle.

Do your research

Before you buy any wax, make sure you do your research and learn as much as you can about the different types and blends of wax, their pros and cons, their compatibility with other ingredients, and their best practices. You can also read reviews, watch tutorials, join forums, and ask questions to other candle makers who have experience with the wax that you are interested in. Doing your research can help you avoid mistakes, save money, and achieve better results.

Experiment and test

Once you have chosen your wax, the next step is to experiment and test it with different combinations of fragrance oils, colors, wicks, jars, and other additives. You can also try different ratios, temperatures, pouring methods, and curing times to see how they affect your candle. Experimenting and testing can help you find the optimal formula for your candle, and also discover new and creative possibilities.

Why You Should Try Coconut-Blended Candles from Salient Scents

If you are looking for a high-quality and luxurious candle that can offer you the best of both worlds, you should try coconut-blend candles from Salient Scents. Our candles are handcrafted with a blend of coconut wax and paraffin, which gives them a glossy and smooth texture, a high scent throw, and a clean and slow burn. Our candles are also infused with premium fragrance oils that are carefully selected and blended to create unique and captivating scents. Whether you want to treat yourself or someone else, Salient Scents has a candle for every occasion and mood. Salient Scents is more than just a candle company, it is a lifestyle brand that aims to inspire and delight you with each and every unique candle. Give us a try and experience the difference for yourself.

Sources

• CandleScience
• The Wooden Wick Co.
• Candle Making
• Salient Scents