Soy Wax vs. Paraffin Wax: Which Should You Choose for Your Candles?

Are you ready to start making your own candles, but stuck staring at your digital cart, debating which bag of wax to buy? You aren’t alone. The soy vs. paraffin debate is easily the most contested topic in the candle-making community. Is paraffin really the villain some blogs make it out to be? And is soy automatically the best choice for an eco-friendly product?

The answer isn’t as black and white as you might think. Both materials have their own distinct characteristics, benefits, and best practices. Whether you’re aiming for a scent that fills the whole house or a candle with eco-friendly credentials, your choice of candle wax will determine the final result. We’ve broken down the facts to help you make the right call for your project.

The Health Question: Facts About Emissions

There is plenty of chatter online about the safety of paraffin because it is a byproduct of the oil industry. While it is true that paraffin is derived from petroleum, that doesn’t automatically mean burning it in your home is dangerous. Scientific research shows that soy wax does not inherently burn cleaner than other wax types in terms of chemical emissions. Unscented paraffin, soy, and stearin produce comparable emissions. Often, the fragrance oils added to the candle have a much larger impact on air quality than the wax itself.

The real culprit you need to watch out for is soot. While soy wax naturally tends to produce less soot, black smoke is usually a wick issue, not a wax issue. An improperly chosen wick (one that is too thick or hasn’t been trimmed) causes incomplete combustion, creating that annoying black smoke. If you test your candle wick thoroughly and match it correctly to your jar and wax, you can achieve a clean burn with either wax type.

Sustainability and the Environment

When it comes to sustainability, soy wax is usually the winner for the eco-conscious maker. It is made from soybeans, a renewable, biodegradable resource. Paraffin, conversely, is a fossil fuel and is not biodegradable.

If your brand or hobby is built around a “natural” image, soy is the logical choice. While burning, a soy candle emits roughly the same amount of CO2 as a human does while breathing, making it carbon neutral. Although the soy industry faces its own challenges regarding land use, many makers feel much more comfortable working with a plant-based product.

Scent Throw: Hot Throw and Cold Throw

This is where things get interesting for home fragrance enthusiasts. You want your candle to smell good when it’s sitting on the shelf (cold throw), but even better when it’s lit (hot throw).

Paraffin is famous for its powerful scent throw. The crystal structure of paraffin traps fragrance oil effectively and releases it easily during burning. If you want that intense scent explosion that fills a large living room, paraffin or a paraffin blend is often the easiest path to success.

Soy wax offers a more subtle scent throw and requires a bit more patience. While you can often test paraffin candles after just a few days, soy wax needs time to harden and “cure.” The fragrance oil needs time to bind with the wax at a molecular level. For the best results, let a soy candle cure for 1 to 2 weeks before burning it. Want to dive deeper into this? Read our guide on creating long-lasting candle scents.

Ease of Use and Appearance

For beginners, soy wax can sometimes be a little finicky. Because it is a natural product, it can solidify with a rough surface or white spots, known as “frosting.” This doesn’t affect how the candle burns, but some makers prefer a sleeker look. Paraffin usually sets with a smooth, glossy, professional finish.

Just starting out? We usually recommend beginning with container candles. This way, you don’t have to worry about the candle holding its shape without a glass. Just make sure your glass containers are clean and at room temperature before pouring to prevent the wax from cracking or pulling away from the glass (wet spots).

You can also opt for the best of both worlds: blends. A soy-paraffin mix can give you the creamy look of soy combined with the scent power and stability of paraffin. There are also specific blends designed for wax melts that cure harder and release from molds more easily.

Which Wax Suits Your Project?

There is no wrong choice, only the choice that best fits your specific goals.

• Choose soy wax if: You want to make an eco-conscious product, you prefer a slower burn, and you appreciate a soft, creamy appearance. Golden Wax 464 and NatureWax C-3 are popular options here.
• Choose paraffin wax if: You are looking for the strongest possible scent throw, you want to make pillar candles (freestanding candles) that need to be hard, or if you work with bright colors, which can look dull in soy wax.
• Choose candle sand or blends if: You want to get started immediately without melting wax (candle sand) or need specific properties, like those required for wax melts.

Whichever wax you choose, the secret to a great candle lies in testing. Try different wicks, play with your fragrance load, and keep an eye on your burn time. As we explain in our tips for beginner candle makers, patience is your most important ingredient.

Ready to get started? Browse our full range of candle making supplies and discover which material becomes your favorite.