Now that you know all about Coconut Wax, let’s take a look at the other types of wax that you might have heard of when making candles. The most popular ones used for candle making are soy wax, paraffin wax, palm wax, and beeswax.
There are many factors to why candle makers use these types of wax and each one has their pros and cons. The right choice of wax really depends on what you value more. Some candle makers value affordability and availability, while others are more concerned with the ability to hold scent and the physical appearance or finish it gives to a candle.
Soy wax is made from soybean oil and is known to have good burn quality. It is cheap and produces minimal soot but it looks crumbly and it has a more subtle scent. They are commonly used to make container candles and are usually blended with other types of wax.
Paraffin wax is derived from petroleum and is relatively cheaper than coconut wax. Most commercially available candles are made from paraffin wax because it comes in different melting points which means it can be used for various types of candles like pillars, container candles and so on.
Candles made of paraffin wax can hold a stronger scent but it burns quickly so you will have to buy more candles often. Of all the types of wax mentioned in this article, this is the least environmentally friendly so if you’re eco-conscious, you’re probably one of the people who’d stay away from this kind of wax.
Palm wax is obtained from palm oil and was once believed to be a sustainable option. This would have been true if it was only possible to produce its products 100% organically but because of the high global demand of the various products in the palm industry, a lot of the palm oil available in the market is produced either unnaturally or unsustainably.
Palm wax produces a very firm and almost brittle kind of wax which is perfect for pillar and votive candles. It has the same burn quality as paraffin wax and has high contraction which means that de-molding it is easy.
Beeswax are harvested from the beehives, melted and filtered several times, and then rolled out or turned into blocks. It is the oldest type of wax used in candle making –dating back to the time of ancient Egyptians and ancient Romans. It can be quite expensive because it is the purest kind of wax. It has low yield and, like coconut wax, it is usually derived naturally and organically. Beeswax candles have a better burn quality than paraffin wax and it burns brighter, hotter and cleaner too!
Pure beeswax are natural air purifiers that actually clean your air of odors and produce negative ions which means that adding scent can be challenging. But since it has a naturally sweet scent due to the honey it was infused with, this shouldn’t be a problem. It also has a natural golden color which means that coloring it may also be a challenge so if you want those vibrant colors, you might want to consider a blend.
In my next blog post, I'll talk about the different wax blends and what attributes they produce for each type of candle.