Which natural wax is better for earth-friendly fragranced candles, palm wax or soy wax?

Most fragranced candles are made of paraffin wax, a petroleum product that contributes to depletion of limited resources. In contrast, both palm wax and soy wax are 100% renewable, sustainable, vegetable products. And both palm and soy wax burn more cleanly than does paraffin, producing little or no soot. Thus, both palm wax and soy wax fragranced candles are earth-friendly products. But palm wax and soy wax have distinct properties that can result in very different candles.

Soy wax candles have become popular over the last several years. Soy wax is derived from soybeans and is cost effective. The wax melts at a fairly low temperature and blends well with a variety of fragrances. Soy wax, unscented or fragranced, poured into glass containers, yields candles that exhibit good cold and hot fragrance throw. When prepared correctly, soy wax candles usually have a soft, ivory appearance, reminiscent of beeswax. However, use of 100% soy wax can result in defective candles, with holes or depressions on the candle surface. In addition, soy wax is very soft, cannot be used in pillar or taper candles, and can even begin to melt in high summer heat. Soy wax can be blended with paraffin wax or palm wax for use in pillar candles and to increase stability to ambient heat.

Palm wax fragranced candles are somewhat newer to the US market. Palm wax is derived from the berries of Elaeis guineensis  palm trees, so it is truly a renewable, sustainable agricultural product. There have been reports that rainforests have been destroyed to create palm plantations. However, palms grown responsibly, e.g. under the guidance of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil, which was co-founded by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), do not threaten rainforests (New Orleans Flare uses palm wax grown under RSPO guidance). Palm wax is hard with a fairly high melting point. Palm wax can retain high concentrations of fragrances and exhibits superior cold and hot fragrance throw. Palm wax is highly crystalline. When palm wax is cooled properly in glass containers it can exhibit beautiful crystalline patterns, which are amplified with added color. Because palm wax is hard it also can be used to make pillar and taper candles, again with striking crystalline patterns. And palm wax candles are stable to high ambient temperatures, due to the hardness and high melting point of palm wax. As with soy wax, palm wax presents production challenges: as the wax cools it can leave holes on or just below the top of the candle surface.

So, is palm wax or soy wax better? Both are good, and both can be used to make earth-friendly fragranced candles, but each has its advantages. Soy has a nice, soft-looking, almost subtle appearance, but can be used only in jar candles. In contrast, there usually is nothing subtle about the appearance of highly crystalline and often colored palm candles, and palm wax can be used for great looking jar, pillar and taper candles. Overall, then, palm wax is more versatile. But true candle lovers will want to have and enjoy both soy and palm candles.

Buyer beware! Many soy candles actually contain a substantial amount of paraffin wax! Paraffin wax often is blended with soy or palm wax, to facilitate candle production, stability, and utility. The resulting paraffin blends often are labeled as being soy or palm candles, but they can contain 10-70% paraffin wax, a petroleum derivative. So take a moment to read labels carefully, and to inspect the wax. Using 100% vegetable wax is easy, cost-effective, and you will feel good that you are acting in an earth-friendly fashion.

And remember, there is one overriding rule about palm and soy candles: Enjoy them!

You can be earth-friendly yet still enjoy stylish, fragranced candles!

Unfortunately, the great majority of candles are not earth-friendly. Most candles are made from paraffin, a petroleum product. Many years ago paraffin replaced beeswax as the primary candle material, because it was plentiful, inexpensive, and easy to work with. But use of paraffin candles contributes to depletion of limited resources. Paraffin candles, even those made from so-called food grade paraffin, also tend to produce considerable soot, polluting air, dirtying homes, and posing health problems. And paraffin candles often are packaged using petroleum-based plastics, as shrink-wraps, covers for jar candles, etc.

Luckily, there are very good alternative candles that are both earth-friendly and stylish. Attractive, environmentally friendly candles can be made from 100% natural waxes. Beeswax and bayberry wax have been used for centuries, but high costs limit current use. In contrast, palm wax and soy wax are cost effective, easy to use, and make great candles. Both palm and soy waxes are renewable, sustainable, agriculturally-derived waxes. Soy and palm wax burn with little soot, much less than for paraffin wax. 100% cotton wicks can be used with both palm and soy waxes. And both palm and soy wax can be fabricated into a large variety of attractive candles, both fragranced and unscented. So palm and soy wax candles truly can be both stylish and earth friendly.

Buyer beware! Candles advertised as “soy candles” or “palm candles” are not all the same, and not all are so earth-friendly. Many so-called “soy candles” or “palm candles” actually are made using blends of 10% - 70% paraffin wax with palm or soy wax. 100% soy or palm wax can be more expensive than paraffin wax, and can be difficult to use in production, sometimes leading to voids, bubbles or depressions in candles. Moreover, 100% soy wax cannot be used to make pillar candles, because it is too soft. Accordingly, many candle makers use a mixture of paraffin wax with soy or palm wax, and advertise the blend as palm or soy wax. Look for candles made by responsible producers and clearly labeled as containing “100% palm wax” or “100% soy wax”. Also, pay attention to candle packaging. Minimal use of packaging materials usually is best. But the type of packaging materials is important. Look for candles packaged in paper and glass containers that can be recycled or reused. Most plastic packaging and jar seals are petroleum products, but there are good exceptions. Cellophane is made from cellulose, an agricultural product, and new “bio-plastics”, made from corn starch or other renewable materials, are making their way to the market.

Live green with style! Enjoy stylish, highly fragranced, 100% palm or soy candles. You will enjoy life more and feel better about yourself!