The Battle of the Waxes: Is soy wax better than paraffin wax?
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We have all heard the claims that paraffin wax is bad for you and soy waxes are the better option. Well I’m here to give you the facts, along with reputable sources, to help debunk the rumors and myths.
There are so many articles, most of which are from soy candle brands, who constantly use the “Soy is Better” marketing tactic to help increase sales and build a following. This not only misleading, but it's unfair to the consumer. No need to worry friends, we are here to educate you and give you the facts.
Now let’s get to the facts.
Paraffin Wax
Paraffin wax is the most common wax used in candles. Paraffin waxes are petroleum based and are created using fossil fuel, also known as crude oil, which is extracted from the earth. Fossil fuel is a mixture of hydrogen and carbon that were created from the decomposition of plants and animals that lived many years ago. Once fossil fuel is extracted, it is transported to refineries where it is then turned into products such as oil, coal, and natural gas. It is from this refining process that paraffin wax is created.
Paraffin wax properties:
- Non-Toxic: Paraffin wax is not poisonous.
- Non-Reactive: During certain lab tests, the wax did not respond or react to certain stimuli.
- Excellent water barrier: Paraffin wax is good at repelling water and liquids.
- Clean-burning fuel source: Paraffin wax meets several requirements under federal regulations that classify it as clean-burning.
- Colorless: Paraffin wax does not contain any color and may appear semi-translucent.
Soy Wax
Soy waxes are made from soybean oil and can contain other non-soy materials, such as stearic acid or paraffin. The soybean oil is extracted from the bean. The primary step to make soy wax is called hydrogenation. Hydrogenation is the process of turning unsaturated oil into saturated oil in order to increase viscosity. The soybean oil is then treated with a hydrogen solution that causes the oil to solidify thus creating a wax. Due to the hydrogenation process, soy wax is consisted synthetic.
Soy wax properties:
- Non-Toxic: Soy wax is not poisonous.
- Can be made of either 100% soybean oil or a combination of other non-soy materials, such as animal products.
- Clean-burning fuel source: Soy wax meets several requirements under federal regulations that classify it as clean-burning.
- Colorless: Soy wax does not contain any color and appears opaque.
Showdown: Why the big fuss over the waxes?
The biggest debate for years has been whether or not paraffin wax is bad for consumers. There are so many articles stating that because paraffin burns soot then that makes paraffin candles toxic. Soot is the natural byproduct of incomplete combustion and is not considered a health concern. This soot is actually similar to the soot that is given off by cooking oils and kitchen toasters. (source: www.candles.org) Drum Roll, Please! BOTH paraffin wax and soy wax create soot. Paraffin wax soot will burn black and soy wax soot will burn white. If you are worried about soot, simply trim your wick ¼ inch before every burn and burn the candle in a well ventilated room that is free of drafts. There has been unsupported claims that paraffin wax can produce certain emissions, such as toluene, that can compromise the air quality in your home and be harmful, but no scientific study has ever shown that any candle wax, including paraffin, is harmful to your health.
Soy wax can also emit chemicals into the air. “Currently, over 90 percent of soybean acreage in the United States is planted with genetically engineered (GE) seeds. Most of these GE seeds are either herbicide tolerant (HT) or insect resistant (Bt).” (source: www.ers.usda.gov) Therefore, soy wax does have the potential to emit chemicals into the air from herbicides and pesticides.
Grand Finale: Which wax is better?
There is no winner. It simply comes down to personal preference. Choose the candle that is best for you. The great thing about the home fragrance industry is there are so many options. If you are concerned about candles, try a candle alternative, such as wax melts. Wax melts deliver the same great scent minus the flame. Check out our collection of wax melts and let us know what you think.
Resources:
https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/CSSoyWaxproposalfinalNov2016.pdf
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/fossil-fuels/
https://candles.org/4-common-candle-myths-debunked/
