Why You Should Choose Plant-Based Waxes in Your Candles
“Plant-based”, “all natural” and “eco-friendly” are just a few of the words used to describe candles today, but all for good reason. When it comes to shopping for candles, the scent and aroma shouldn’t be the only factor to consider. Many different types of waxes are used in candle making and each one can affect the quality, performance and longevity of your candle. Some of these include paraffin wax, beeswax, soy wax or coconut wax, to name a few.
Why Plant-Based Waxes Are Better For You
Plant-based waxes such as soy and coconut wax are made solely from plants and contain no artificial additives, which makes them a healthier alternative for your body and home. They burn cleaner than traditional waxes creating much less soot which can be harmful to inhale. Since soy and coconut waxes are made from plants, this also makes them a renewable source and friendly to the environment.
So What is Paraffin Wax?
Paraffin wax is a synthetic wax that is derived directly from petroleum (yes, the same petroleum that is used in oil and gas). It’s made by removing the waxy substance from crude oil through a de-waxing process and is then processed further for use in products. Today, petroleum-based paraffin wax can be found in candles, cosmetics, wax papers and various other products.
As a product of the oil industry, paraffin wax has been proven to be unsustainable and unnatural. A 2009 study found that burning paraffin candles released toxic chemicals such as benzene and toluene into the air which can cause damage to the body.
A Note On Beeswax
Before we dive into explaining plant-based waxes, we want to share a quick explanation of beeswax and why we suggest not purchasing beeswax candles. In the US alone, there has been a 3.6 million decline in honey bee colonies over the past five decades. Although bees produce some incredible nutrient-packed products, burning beeswax won’t actually provide any additional benefit for your health compared to choosing more sustainable waxes such as soy and coconut. That said, if you have your heart set on a beeswax candle, you should look for a ‘certified organic’ label and ensure that the beeswax is ethically sourced.
What is Soy Wax?
Soy wax is a vegetable wax derived from the oil of soybeans. After they are harvested, the beans are cleaned, de-hulled, and rolled into flakes. The oil is then extracted from the flakes and any leftovers are used for animal feed. After, the fatty acids are converted from unsaturated to saturated in a process called hydrogenation, which raises the melting point of the oil making it solid at room temperature. The end result is soy wax!
Because soy wax is a softer wax, it’s used primarily for container candles. One of the reasons why plant-based candles give off such a strong aroma is because the melting point is low which means the candle will burn longer and a large melt pool will form around the wick, allowing more fragrance to be dispersed throughout your space.
Benefits of Burning Soy Wax
- Non-toxic and 100% made of plants
- Burns clean, zero soot build up
- A renewable, sustainable resource
- Biodegradable, can be broken down in the environment
- Burns up to 50% longer than paraffin candles
- Vegan and not tested on animals
- Often paired with natural fragrances
- Fragrance throw is stronger
What is Coconut Wax?
Coconut wax is a colorless and odorless wax made from cold-pressed coconut fruit. First, the coconut fruit is pressed into oil and then going through a similar process as soy wax, the oil is hydrogenated and refined creating a higher melt point and thus, solid at room temperature. It is considered one of the healthiest types of wax because when burning, it produces much less soot than other waxes. It’s commonly blended with other natural waxes such as soy to produce a better burn quality and aroma.
Benefits of Burning Coconut Wax
- Non-toxic and 100% made of plants
- Even burn pool throughout the candle’s life
- Burns clean, soot-free
- Biodegradable, most eco-friendly option
- Vegan and not tested on animals
- Fragrance throw is best of all plant-based waxes
- Ideal for natural fragrances
Mixed plant-based waxes
Natural waxes such as soy and coconut are by far the best choice for those looking for a healthier candle for your body and home. It’s common to find candles that have a blend of plant-based candles. Companies often do this to create a well-balanced candle with the benefits of each type of wax.
At LUNAE, we wanted to choose the best of both coconut and soy so we decided to create our very own plant-based wax blend. All of our candles are curated with a 100% soy and coconut wax blend which is vegan, biodegradable and is guaranteed to burn cleaner in your space.