SOY CANDLES

Soy candles, soy wax candles, scented soy candles, soy jar candles, or scented soy wax candles are made from soy wax, a type of hydrogenated soybean oil. Soy wax was first extracted in 1992 by Michael Richards who wanted a cheaper alternative to beeswax.

Mixed with fragrances soy wax is used to make scented soy candles. You can buy soy candles at supermarkets and specialized stores and they can also be bought online. It is also easy to make soy candles at home.

SOY CANDLES: POPULARITY

Soy wax has become popular for making candles, especially among the health conscious who prefer soy wax because it is an organic compound with no toxins released when burned. Environmentally too it enjoys the benefit of being a renewable resource.

Soy wax burns cooler, longer, and safer than paraffin due to its low melting point. This allows fragrances to be generated much faster. Another plus point is the ease of removing soy wax compared to paraffin candle wax – with hot soapy water and a little elbow grease. Soy wax is also nearly soot-free when burned.

SOY CANDLES: BENEFITS

Soy candles burn 50% longer than paraffin candles.

They burn much cooler, distributing a good amount of fragrance, are non-toxic, less likely to trigger allergies, and easily removed with soap and water. They also produce very little soot.

The above factors make them more animal and child-friendly than traditional candles.

Soy wax is biodegradable, a renewable resource. Some say it also supports the U.S. economy instead of foreign oil conglomerates.

Paraffin wax, made from petroleum, produces carcinogens and soot when burned. Some say the soot from a paraffin candle contains many of the toxins produced by burning diesel fuel.

Gel candles are also petroleum-based.

Beeswax is another alternative to paraffin candles. It is less likely to trigger allergies and does not produce toxins or soot when burned.