More and more people are now turning to organic candles instead of paraffin candles made with petroleum-based waxes. In this regard, beeswax and soy candles have become very popular in recent years because they are considered healthier than paraffin candles. But which is better, beeswax candles or soy candles?
Beeswax candles are healthier and more environmentally friendly than soy candles. This is because soy candles still contain paraffin and are not always made from organic soy. In addition, the soy candle industry is also closely related to deforestation.
While many people think that soy candles are very healthy and organic, you should not think so because soy candles are not always completely natural. However, beeswax candles are often a better choice as long as they are made from only the highest quality and purest beeswax and no chemicals are added. Now let’s learn more about beeswax candles and soy candles so you know what makes them truly special.
What Are Beeswax Candles?
One of the oldest substances used by humans is beeswax. It dates back to ancient Egyptian times and beeswax was used in many different items. When we think of substances used to make candles, we often think of paraffin wax, but of course you should know that beeswax is actually the oldest substance used to make candles.
While you may have just heard about the sudden popularity of beeswax candles, these candles have been around for a long time because our descendants can easily make candles from all-natural ingredients, which they can take out of a beehive, rather than kerosene used to make paraffin candle.
As you might have guessed, beeswax candles are made from beeswax, a naturally occurring substance that you can easily find in bees’ hives. Bees produce beeswax when they eat honey. The worker bees then collect some of the beeswax produced by the bees, which is then used for honey storage and larval protection in the hive.
Honey beekeepers typically collect beeswax from capped honey, or from old combs. It must then be refined before it can be further used and processed into beeswax products. This includes beeswax candles.
Beeswax candles have a natural honey scent because beeswax is made from and almost always in close contact with honey. This means that the beekeeper does not have to add any fragrance to the beeswax candle during the production process.
Beeswax can vary in color from white to light brown, depending on how bees make it or how beekeepers refine or process it. It is often said that brown beeswax is better and more natural than light beeswax.
Beeswax candles are considered to be the most natural and organic candles because it is naturally extracted from the honey that bees eat. However, in some cases, beeswax candles are actually mixed with other types of candle wax, which reduces the natural purity of beeswax candles. Still, these candles are by far the most natural and last indefinitely because beeswax never rots.
What Are They Used For?
Beeswax candles are used for a variety of purposes, including:
1. Light
This is obvious because every candle should be used to provide light. In fact, beeswax candles are said to be the oldest type of candles because ancient civilizations used them to provide the light needed at night. Although electricity enables us to light up our homes, beeswax candles are still often used as light sources for romantic candlelit dinners and similar occasions. Beeswax candles also tend to burn longer, making them ideal.
2. Air Purifier
Another reason beeswax candles are often used is their air-purifying properties that can help remove toxic and unpleasant odors from the environment. The fact that the smell is natural allows it to fill the air with a non-toxic and non-chemical scent.
3. Environmentally Friendly Alternatives
For those who want to use candles for various purposes without increasing their carbon footprint, beeswax candles have become a great alternative as they are more environmentally friendly than paraffin candles as these candles are all natural, And free of man-made chemicals, as long as they are used correctly and manufactured and processed.
How Is Beeswax Candle Made?
If you are interested in making your own beeswax candles, you can do this:
- Measure out about 12 ounces of beeswax into a heatproof measuring cup. Place a measuring cup with beeswax in a saucepan with a few inches of water.
- Turn the heat to high and melt the beeswax over medium-high heat. Do not overheat or leave it in the pan for too long, as this may burn or ignite the beeswax.
- Buy some cotton wicks that are a few inches larger than the jars you will use for the beeswax candles. When the beeswax melts, dip the wick into the wax, making sure to leave about a half-inch unimmersed in the wax. Also make sure the wick is always straight. Let the wick dry on a sheet of paper.
- Use glass jars for your beeswax candles. You can also use a mold if you want, but a jar is best as it can be more difficult to make a beeswax candle with a mold because you need to position the wick correctly.
- You can mix melted beeswax with palm or essential oils. However, you may want to keep it as pure as possible.
- Pour about two inches of beeswax into a glass jar. Stop there and stick a wick into the beeswax in the middle of the jar. Make sure the wick reaches the bottom of the jar. From there, hold the tip of the wick and pour more wax into the jar until you reach your desired height.
- Take a toothpick or chopstick that is longer than the diameter of the glass. Tie the end of the wick to this stick, using tape if it’s too short to tie. Holding the wick, place the stick on top of the glass jar opening. The purpose is to ensure that the wick does not fall into the wax while it is still drying and setting.
- Let the beeswax candle dry before removing the stick from the jar. After that, your beeswax candle is ready to use.
Pros And Cons Of Beeswax Candles
Here are some of the pros and cons of beeswax candles you need to know:
Advantage
- Eco-friendly as they are made from natural ingredients.
- As long as you don’t add artificial scents to your beeswax candles, you won’t have that chemical smell.
- Purifies the air when burning.
- Lasts longer than most other candles.
- If stored properly, it will not rot and will last indefinitely.
Disadvantage
- Very expensive because beeswax is expensive.
- Requires you to hold the flame on the wick longer as it takes a while to ignite.
- Not as readily available as other types of candles.
What Are Soy Candles?
Another option that some people use in place of paraffin candles is soy candles. These candles are actually made from soy wax, which has become a great plant-based alternative to other types of wax made from chemical and petroleum-based ingredients. Therefore, soy candles are gaining popularity among those who want natural and organic products that are also suitable for vegans.
Soy candles are made from soybean wax, which is obtained by hydrogenating soybean oil. Because soy wax is softer than paraffin, it tends to have a lower melting point, which makes it melt faster than paraffin, but lasts longer because it requires a lower temperature to melt, so it doesn’t burn as quickly.
Also, soy candles are more easily scented than paraffin candles. This makes them ideal for those who don’t like heavily scented candles, as soy candles are generally milder in their ability to emit scent and fragrance.
However, because some soy candles makers want their candles to have the benefits of paraffin (i.e. higher melting point and better scent production to fill the space); some soy candles are actually blended with paraffin. This makes the candles work better in warm conditions and scent better than pure soy candles.
What Are They Used For?
Here are some of the most common uses for soy candles:
1. Green Alternatives To Paraffin Candles
Those who use paraffin candles regularly may have switched to soy candles as they are more eco-friendly and environmentally friendly. That’s because they’re made from all-natural and vegan soy. This allows them to reduce their carbon footprint, as soy candles are considered a renewable green resource.
2. Light
Of course, the main purpose of a candle burning is to be used as a lamp. In this case, soy candles are also often used as a light source in areas with limited power or when couples wish to enjoy a romantic candlelit dinner together.
3. Fragrance
Soy candles are effective when it comes to enhancing the smell or smell of a room, especially if you use soy candles mixed with paraffin wax. So if you want to remove unpleasant odors from your home or room, lighting a soy candle might be a good way for you.
How Is A Soy Candle Made?
Here’s a common method if you want to make your own soy candles:
- Melt soy wax flakes or soy wax granules in a double grill. This allows you to shape the soy wax in the container. Also, make sure not to burn soy wax, as soy wax tends to have a lower melting point.
- Make your cotton wick a few inches taller than the jar you use for the soy candle. Remember, soy wax has a lower melting point, which is why it’s always important to use it as a container candle. Don’t use forms.
- When the soy wax melts, dip the wick into the wax, making sure about half an inch is not submerged. Also make sure the wick is always straight. Let the wick dry on a sheet of paper.
- You can mix melted soy wax with essential oils to add some fragrance. To improve fragrance distribution, you can also mix it with paraffin.
- Pour about two inches of melted soy wax into a glass jar. Stop and stick a wick into the wax in the very center of the jar. Make sure the wick reaches the bottom of the jar. From there, hold the tip of the wick and pour more soy wax into the jar until you reach your desired height.
- Take a toothpick or chopstick that is longer than the diameter of the glass. Tie the end of the wick to this stick, using tape if it’s too short to tie. Holding the wick, place the stick over the opening of the glass jar. The purpose is to ensure that the wick does not fall into the soy wax as it dries and sets.
- Let the soy candles cool at room temperature overnight before you can remove the sticks from the jars. After that, your soy candle is ready to use.
Pros And Cons Of Soy Candles
Here are the pros and cons of soy candles to help you make better, more informed decisions:
Advantages
- More environmentally friendly than petroleum-based paraffin candles.
- Longer lasting than paraffin candles.
- Not as cheap as paraffin candles, but still pretty cheap when it comes to candles 🙂
- Just as far as their scent goes.
- As long as you use pure soy candles, all natural and chemical ingredients are free.
Disadvantages
- Many soy candles still contain paraffin because it enhances the candle’s performance.
- Soy products can lead to deforestation, as some soy producers cut down trees to make way for soy farms.
- In soybean production, many farms still use pesticides and GMOs to increase yields.
- Not the best at enhancing the smell of a room.
- Melts easily and is best used as a container candle rather than a molded candle.
Why Are Beeswax Candles Better?
Now that we know more about beeswax candles and soy candles, let’s get right to the point. So, which is the better option here? Obviously, beeswax candles are better than soy candles, although both options are vegan and all-natural.
The reason beeswax candles are still better than soy candles is because you can have confidence in how eco-friendly and natural they are. Beeswax, depending on how it’s been extracted, is always cleaner and less chemical-free than soy wax because beeswax can only be made by bees, which rely on natural ingredients to make beeswax. Soy products, on the other hand, are not completely chemical-free or completely natural because they are grown with chemical pesticides or as GMOs. That said, in terms of its naturalness, beeswax is cake.
However, it can also be pointed out that soy wax candles are not completely pure, because some manufacturers tend to mix it with paraffin wax in order to improve the effect of candles, because pure soy wax melts easily and do not go smoothly when trying to improve the scent of the room.
Of course, let’s not forget that soybean production has led to deforestation around the world, as certain soybean producers have cut down trees to make room for more soybean farms. So even if you use vegan-friendly soy candles, you’re indirectly contributing to deforestation.
On the other hand, beeswax candles are pure, organic, eco-friendly and healthy. In fact, by using beeswax candles, you are supporting bee farms around the world because bees are one of the most important creatures in the entire ecosystem. While beeswax candles may be more expensive, the price pales in comparison to the quality of these candles.
