Beeswax vs. Soy Wax for Candles
| Beeswax | Soy Wax |
|---|---|
 |
 |
| Higher melting point (durable) | Lower melting point (softer) |
| Non-vegan | Vegan |
| Burns clean | Burns clean |
| Average at holding fragrance | Average at holding fragrance |
| Harder to clean up | Easy to clean up |
| Holds color well | Holds color well |
This article will explore the similarities and differences between beeswax and soy wax.
Ultimately, we recommend trying both beeswax and soy wax to see which wax and process you like best. You can buy beeswax pellets and soy wax flakes for similar prices.
Beeswax and Soy Wax Similarities:
- Beeswax and soy wax candles burn clean. Some waxes produce black soot when burned, which can stain the home’s ceilings, walls, curtains, and carpets. Both beeswax and soy wax burn evenly and cleanly, minimizing unburned wax left on the sides of the jar.
- Some fragrances work well with soy wax and beeswax, while others don’t. Bolder fragrances tend to hold their scent better, while subtle fragrances do not. This is why beeswax and soy wax are often blended with other waxes or oils to give them a better scent throw.
- Soy wax and beeswax burn for a long time. These waxes can burn up to 25% longer than some types of wax (like paraffin).
- Beeswax and soy wax are more eco-friendly. Both waxes come from environmentally friendly, renewable resources. Compare that to the classic paraffin wax, which is made from non-renewable petroleum.
- Soy wax and beeswax are comparable in price. For example, we priced a 5-pound bag of each and found that they were within a few cents of each other.
Beeswax and Soy Wax Differences:
- Soy wax is easier to clean. Because of its low melting point, soy wax is easily cleaned using hot tap water and soap.
- Beeswax is not vegan. Since beeswax comes from animal byproducts (honeybees), it’s not considered vegan.
- Beeswax burns longer. While both beeswax and soy wax burns longer than paraffin, beeswax has the longest burning time of all three.
- Soy wax can be colored easily. In its solid state, soy wax is a very light cream to almost white. In contrast, beeswax is yellow in its natural form, which can be harder to dye. With that in mind, you can purchase bleached (white) beeswax.
- Beeswax works best for molded or pillar candles. Soy wax can be too soft to hold a mold. Meanwhile, beeswax is durable and allows you to craft candles that look like beautiful artwork.
What Wax Do Professional Candle Makers Use?
Paraffin wax is the most common type of wax used in mass-produced candles. It’s made from petroleum and holds a high amount of color and fragrance. For example, Yankee candles are made from paraffin wax.
But you may be surprised to learn:
Many professional candle companies use a mixture of waxes and oils.
For instance, Bath and Body Works uses a combination of paraffin, soy, and palm oil for their candles.
This is also what at-home candle makers do.
Soy wax is the most popular in the candle community for general-purpose candles and wax melts. Aside from the eco-friendly benefits, it’s the easiest to clean up with hot water and soap.
But as mentioned, at-home candle makers get good results from mixing.
For example, they might mix beeswax with coconut oil to create a candle that holds scent. Coconut soy and para-soy are also popular combinations.
As mentioned, both beeswax and soy wax are comparable in price. We recommend getting a 1-pound bag of each and running an experiment to see which works for you.
FAQs on Beeswax vs. Soy Wax
- Is soy wax or beeswax better for candle making?
- What are the disadvantages of beeswax candles?
- What is the healthiest wax for candles?
- Is beeswax more expensive than soy wax?
- Which wax holds the most scent?
- Is beeswax toxic when heated?
- Do beeswax candles actually clean the air?
- Does beeswax hold fragrance?
- What is the most eco-friendly wax for candles?
- What wax do Yankee candles use?
- Can I mix soy and beeswax for candles?
- Which is healthier, soy or beeswax?
- What are the pros of beeswax in candles?
- How many candles does 1lb of beeswax make?
- Why are beeswax candles bad?
Is soy wax or beeswax better for candle making?
They both have pros and cons. Beeswax is the best option if you want durable candles that can hold a mold.
However, soy wax may be a better option if you’re looking for a vegan wax that’s easy to clean. Soy wax also blends well with other waxes and oils. It’s not uncommon for candle makers to combine paraffin, soy, beeswax, or oils until they have the perfect candle.
Sometimes, a single wax on its own isn’t ideal for what you’re doing. For example, you may love using soy wax but want something that throws scent better. If so, mixing coconut oil or paraffin wax with soy wax is a common technique for candle makers.
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What are the disadvantages of beeswax candles?
The primary disadvantage of beeswax candles is that they’re harder to clean and don’t always hold fragrances well. Additionally, they may not be an option if you prefer vegan products since beeswax comes from honeybees.
Apart from that, beeswax makes a great choice for people who use molds to make their candles. Candle art is very popular, and beeswax is a kind of wax that is durable enough to maintain its shape. It has a high melting point.
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What is the healthiest wax for candles?
Beeswax and soy wax tie for the healthiest wax available. They’re both natural waxes that come from renewable sources. Soy wax is also vegan because it’s not made from animal byproducts.
Beeswax isn’t considered vegan because it comes from honeybees. Honeybees produce beeswax to store honey and raise bee larvae. However, many beekeepers take pride in sustainably harvesting their beeswax and honey. So if you have a good local beekeeper near you, you may consider purchasing beeswax directly from them.
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Is beeswax more expensive than soy wax?
Beeswax and soy wax are similarly priced. You can verify this by searching for “one pound bag of beeswax pellets” and “one pound bag of soy wax flakes” and comparing the differences. In our experience, they’re usually within a few cents of each other.
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Which wax holds the most scent?
Paraffin wax holds the most scent. Beeswax and soy wax are not as good at holding fragrance, but you can try mixing them with other oils to create a candle that smells nice.
With that in mind, beeswax and soy wax will hold strong scents better than subtle scents. For instance, some subtle scents get lost inside beeswax. So you might experiment with different fragrances to see which works for you.
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Is beeswax toxic when heated?
No, beeswax is not toxic when heated. It’s known for having the lowest toxicity when it comes to candle waxes because it releases no harmful byproducts or soot.
On the other hand, paraffin wax emits harmful fumes when heated. If you’re looking for a safer candle wax, then beeswax or soy wax is the way to go.
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Do beeswax candles actually clean the air?
We don’t have scientific evidence proving that beeswax purifies the air. As a result, we shouldn’t rely on beeswax to cleanse the air and instead turn to air purifiers.
That said, some sources say that beeswax candles release negative ions when burned. These ions attach to positively charged particles like dust, pollen, and smoke. Because of this theory, the idea is that beeswax candles should help cleanse the air of these pollutants.
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Does beeswax hold fragrance?
Beeswax candles don’t always hold fragrance well, but you can try mixing them with other oils to create a candle that smells nice. Subtle fragrances can sometimes get “lost” inside the beeswax. Stronger fragrances might have a better chance of holding their scent.
Soy wax tends to do better for holding fragrance, but it’s still not as good as paraffin wax. That said, paraffin wax has other downsides that should be considered, such as not being eco-friendly and potentially emitting harmful fumes into the air.
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What is the most eco-friendly wax for candles?
Both soy wax and beeswax are considered eco-friendly for candle making. They’re both made from renewable resources and don’t release harmful toxins or soot into the air.
The one advantage of soy wax over beeswax is that it’s vegan. Soy wax comes from soybeans instead of animals. In contrast, beeswax comes from honeybees. Many beekeepers take pride in sustainably harvesting their beeswax and honey. However, soy wax is the way to go if you’re looking for a vegan option.
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What wax do Yankee candles use?
Yankee candles use paraffin wax, which is a petroleum-based product. It’s a soft wax that’s white or colorless and easy to work with. However, it’s not as eco-friendly as soy wax or beeswax. Some evidence suggests that paraffin wax may release harmful fumes into the air.
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Can I mix soy and beeswax for candles?
Yes, you can mix soy and beeswax for candles. This is a common practice because it gives the candle a nice smell and a good burn time.
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Which is healthier, soy or beeswax?
Both soy wax and beeswax are healthy, non-toxic waxes. They don’t release harmful soot into the air.
However, soy wax is a vegan wax, while beeswax is not. Soy wax comes from soybeans instead of animals. Beeswax isn’t vegan because it derives from honeybees. If you’re looking for vegan wax, soy wax is the best option.
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What are the pros of beeswax in candles?
There are many advantages of using beeswax in candles, including:
- They’re perfect for mold and pillar candles because they maintain their shape. You can create beeswax candles that are beautiful pieces of artwork.
- Beeswax candles burn clean and don’t release toxins into the air.
- They last longer than soy or paraffin candles.
- Beeswax candles have a natural, honey-like scent.
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How many candles does 1lb of beeswax make?
One pound of wax can make two 10-ounce candles or four 5-ounce candles
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Why are beeswax candles bad?
Beeswax candles aren’t bad by any means. Instead, they may just not fit your needs. For example, beeswax candles do not hold scents like soy or paraffin candles. Additionally, they’re more challenging to clean and aren’t vegan.
