In our humble opinion, candles are essential decor, bringing natural light and pleasant scents into our homes. They charm up our space and lift our moods. But out of all the waxes out there, what is the best wax for candles? What is the healthiest wax for candles?
The best candles are made of natural materials that contain no unnecessary additives and pose no risk to your health. They should also burn evenly and last a long time.
Not all wax is created equal, though, so knowing the pros and cons of each kind can help you find the right candle for you.
Soy Wax for Candles
Soy wax, used in our It’s Good to Be Home Candle, is known for having a burn life that’s 50% longer than paraffin. It’s also softer and more pliable, with a higher melting point.
Soy wax is affordable, safe for your family and pets, and more eco-friendly than paraffin. One con is that it is a byproduct of the soybean industry, which could be more sustainable. However, a silver lining is that it may support local soy farmers.
Other cons include that soy wax can be temperamental to work with when making candles and may shrink or have spots while burning.
Soy Wax Pros
- Has a long burn life
- Has a subtle and pleasing scent
- Affordable
- Safe and non-toxic
- All-natural
Soy Wax Cons
- Is a byproduct of the soybean industry
- Can be temperamental
- May shrink or have spots
Coconut Wax for Candles
Coconut wax is the most eco-friendly candle wax available. This all-natural material is a byproduct of the coconut farming industry, which is relatively sustainable and produces a high-yield crop.
If you’ve ever burned one of ours — like the Kind People Candle — you’ll know that, like soy wax, coconut wax is safe for your family and pets and has a long, clean burn life. It also holds colour and spreads scent throughout a space extremely well.
Coconut wax has almost no downsides, though it might be pricier than other candle waxes due to the high demand for coconuts in many industries.
Coconut Wax Pros
- All-natural and eco-friendly
- Safe and non-toxic
- Derived from the coconut industry
- Holds colour and spreads scent well
- Has a long, clean burn life
Coconut Wax Cons
- Can be pricey
Beeswax for Candles
Beeswax has been used in candles for centuries, even among ancient civilizations, making it the oldest wax on the market. It’s derived from bees and their hives during the honey creation process, a relatively sustainable industry.
Like our End of Something Little Gem Candle, beeswax is safe for your family and pets. When it burns, it releases ions that clean the air without producing excessive smoke and soot.
The only downside of beeswax candles is that the fragrance may be too sweet when combined with other scents. For that reason, beeswax is best used in “unscented” candles.
Beeswax Pros
- Safe and non-toxic
- Sustainable and eco-friendly
- Purifies the air
- Firm and shapes well in candles
- Burns relatively cleanly
Beeswax Cons
- Not good for scented candles
- Expensive
Paraffin Wax for Candles
Paraffin wax is inexpensive and widely used, thanks to its ability to hold colour and effectively project fragrance into a space. It comes in various grades with different melting points, making it easy to mould.
However, paraffin wax has several notable downsides. It’s a byproduct of crude oil refining, which is not sustainable. When burned, paraffin also gives off volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which may harm health or trigger health conditions like asthma.
Paraffin wax also gives off soot when burned if not cared for properly, unlike our Your Heart Little Gem Candle.
Paraffin Wax Pros
- Good for scented candles
- Holds onto colour well
- Inexpensive
Paraffin Wax Cons
- Not eco-friendly or the healthiest wax for candles
- A byproduct of crude oil refining
- Easy to mould
- Gives off VOCs
- Can irritate the lungs when burned in non-ventilated spaces
The Best Wax for Candles Comparison Chart
The Healthiest Wax for Candles Is…
Soy and coconut are the best and healthiest waxes for candles, thanks to their heartiness, eco-friendliness, and sustainability.
That’s why Cedar Mountain has chosen to create a custom blend of these natural waxes for our sweet line of giftable candles. Stop by and see for yourself!
