From winter scents to fresh flowery ones, from spicy to calming, there are many types of scented candles on the market. But it's not the scent that makes a candle valuable, worth it, or ethical. It's the wax. Candles are definitely not made of the same types of candle wax, and you can experience that by looking at the texture, and the prices too. Some types of wax are more ethical and last a lot longer, such as soy candle wax, while we can't state the same about others like Paraffin wax or palm wax. Learn more about these types of candle wax, so you can make the right choice when you are shopping for your favorite (or new favorite) scented candles!
5 types of candle wax
We will discuss the 5 main types of candle wax starting with our favorite - that's also one of the best waxes to be found on the market, all the way to those that aren't so popular for different reasons. It is important to be mindful when we choose our candles, as many types of candles might be affordable, and good-looking, but they will burn and be gone in such a short time, that it makes it not worth it at that point.
When it comes to high-quality candles, you should always look for candles made of soy wax. This is one of the best types of wax for any candle for many reasons. We'll share all the information in this article!
1. Soy Wax
Soy candle wax is a mid-range wax with a slow burn, which makes it great for its value. This wax has been improved drastically in different processes - that are still all natural - which make some candles made of soy wax even better. For example, Mirvana uses a deluxe soy wax that lasts for over 15% longer than a normal soy wax candle. This wax is made of soybeans, and it's more eco-friendly than paraffin wax for instance.
Of course, as with every natural, organic type of wax, this is also considering environmental issues, just as most of the other wax types below. Let's just say, while we love candles, they are not the best for nature. Soy is also a sassy type of wax, it's temperamental with temperature and it can shrink, as well as it can frost with white spots. While the lifespan of a soy wax candle is longer, it doesn't hold as much fragrance as some other wax types.
2. Paraffin Wax
Paraffin wax is not expensive, and definitely not high-quality. It can hold a high amount of fragrances and colors, and there are various melt points for it too. It's suitable to make different types of candles from pillars to those made in containers. However, paraffin is not an eco-friendly wax, and for us is a big no-no.
Paraffin wax is made as a byproduct of the oil industry. It's not a natural candle, and it's not something that a luxury, high-end brand would ever use. Also, paraffin if you don't care for it properly, well, will create soot. All in all, it's a cheap wax that's easy to find for hobby candle making, but it's not recommended.
3. Beeswax
One of the most famous, most valuable types of candle wax is the beeswax. As this type of wax is the result of the work of living, breathing little creatures that help keep our nature alive, I personally very much appreciate the beeswax.
I also very much despise those who use bees for business purposes at an exaggerated level. Therefore, even if beeswax is great, and it's an eco-friendly option to make candles, we do ask you to think about the impact of purchasing beeswax for the commercial making of candles.
If you do for yourself 2 candles a year, that's fine, but for commercial use, we think it's not at all eco-friendly anymore if someone uses beeswax. Beeswax has a subtle aroma that's naturally sweet and it does help purify the air in an ambience. This is also a harder, more solid type of wax and it's mostly used for container candles and unscented pillars.
4. Coconut Wax
Some people sear on coconut wax when it comes to the best type of candle wax. Coconut is great for nutrition, it's fantastic for skincare, but what about candles? Coconut wax is a very new type of wax used for candles that have obviously been harvested and obtained from coconuts.
This natural wax holds fragrance and color very well and it has a very clear burn as well and it produces little soot. Since it's a natural wax obtained from coconuts grown on trees, coconut wax is one of the most expensive types of candle wax, and it's very hard to find it too!
5. Rapeseed Wax
When it comes to the best type of candle wax, our last suggestion is something that's less-known and quite new in the candle industry: rapeseed wax. We couldn't write this article without talking about rapeseed, because it has a very particular and beautiful feature: it's renewable vegetable wax.
Rapeseed plants are native to Europe, and in many countries, you can see while driving through in May-June huge plantations of these plants as they make also cooking oil out of it. For candle-making, rapeseed oil touts a high melting point and it has a clean, soot-free burning. This wax is also harder to find, and it qualifies as one of the pricy wax types.
Wrapping up the types of candle wax
As we pointed out from the beginning, soy candle wax is one of the best waxes that one can choose either for making candles or buying them. It's easier to find, and it's eco-friendly. The other types of candle waxes are great too, depending on your needs and intentions. Each one has its own particular possibilities when it comes to burning, soot, duration, and holding the fragrance or the colors. Make sure you check the Mirvana soy wax candles as these ones surely will not disappoint you in anything. Also, make sure you explore more on our blog as we speak about many things candles!