Soy candles: their main advantages and... their small faults
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Time to read 4 min
Soy Candles: Benefits, Natural Imperfections, and Usage Tips
Soy candles come with their share of properties and benefits (which we love!!). Difficult to master and expensive to produce, soy candles are true little luxuries in jars. Made from natural and renewable soy wax, they burn cleaner and longer than traditional paraffin-based candles, thus reducing their ecological footprint. Soy candles certainly contain one thing: a large dose of love in their making. Why choose them? For their delicate scent, their ecological aspect, and the soft ambiance they create in your home, making every moment more special. Learn more about soy candles and their little sisters, wax melts, below!
The benefits of soy candles and wax melts
Soy wax is eco-friendly
Soy wax is a renewable and biodegradable resource, making it a more environmentally friendly choice than alternatives like petroleum-derived paraffin. The glass jars of our beautiful candles are reusable. Yay! Beautiful and eco-friendly!
Natural soy candles burn cleaner
Soy candles burn cleaner than paraffin-based ones, producing less soot and residue, which helps maintain indoor air quality. Safe for our little ones (who must be kept away from flames) and our pets.
Longer burn time
Soy candles tend to burn slower than paraffin candles, meaning they last longer, thus offering better value. Our candles burn for about 35 hours.
Better scent throw
Our soy candles are 10% scented, which is relatively light to avoid headaches from strong odors. As for the wax melts, their composition also consists of a soy wax specifically for this purpose, and their scent level is 12%. Soy wax has a better ability to retain and diffuse fragrances, often resulting in a more intense and long-lasting scent compared to paraffin candles.
Soy wax melts and candles: healthier and safer
Since soy wax is natural, candles made from this raw material are generally considered safer for health, as they do not release harmful substances when burning. Soy wax melts are also safer for homes with children and pets. A wax melt can be melted in a traditional diffuser or a flameless electric diffuser.
Let's demystify the most frequently asked questions about soy candles
That being said, soy candles also come with their share of drawbacks. It's important to clarify these points because some consumers believe it indicates a lack of quality from the artisan. On the contrary, imperfections are proof that the candles were hand-poured in an environment that is certainly not a factory.
Why are soy candles more expensive?
Soy candles are more expensive to buy than those made with other types of wax, such as paraffin, due to the high cost of the raw material. Health and ecological benefits often unfortunately come at a cost. When purchased by an artisan, raw materials are obviously higher than those from large chains, due to lower purchasing volume. Soy wax melts, on the other hand, are very economical and safe. The wax can be re-melted multiple times! This can be an excellent compromise.
Why does my soy candle warp?
- Heat sensitivity: Soy wax has a lower melting point than paraffin, which means soy wax candles can soften or deform more easily when exposed to high temperatures.
- Environmental sensitivity: Soy wax has a tendency to absorb moisture from the air, which can affect the quality of the candle if it is not properly stored in a dry environment (before sale, during delivery, and after sale!).
- In a perfect world where all the stars are aligned, a soy candle will have a smooth appearance on its top and entire surface (example below).
- After using the soy candle, once it has cooled, it is possible that its top may no longer be smooth. This is completely normal and shows that the wax is natural. Candles containing beeswax retract even more. Who are we to judge nature's imperfections? 😍
Why does my soy candle look wet or frosted?
The "wet" effect that appears on most soy candles is also due to the wax contracting as it dries. The wax separates slightly from the sides, giving the impression of moisture, but it's not. Sometimes during transport, due to temperature variations, these spots appear and/or disappear. It is absolutely normal to see soy candles with wet spots rather than without. Even those in so-called specialized boutiques like those with candles that cause headaches do it. This often always explains the use of opaque jars and wrap-around labels. It is only an aesthetic concern that does not affect the quality of the candle in any way and disappears as soon as it is lit.
Unfortunately, given the high sensitivity to temperature variations and the fact that natural waxes contract, the candle's appearance can be surprising! A defect? No! These are guarantees of product quality. A handmade soy candle will never be as perfect as an industrial candle with stabilizing agents. Frosting or the appearance of crystals is due to the candle cooling and often, to colorants and fragrances. Frosting does not affect the quality of the candle in any way.
Soy Candles: Naturally Imperfect and Perfectly Charming
Although soy candles can sometimes be a puzzle, we a-d-o-r-e them!!! Their imperfect nature simply makes them perfect!
At La Sultana, our mission is clear: we appreciate eco-friendly, gentle, and above all, health-safe products. I am proud to say that our candles perfectly meet all these requirements.
Finally, I invite you to watch this excellent explanatory video (English) about soy candles. Enjoy watching!
To remember: the small visual imperfections of a handmade soy candle are not defects. Rather, they testify to the sensitive nature of vegetable wax and handmade production.
Kristel Audet
Founder and creator of natural skincare products crafted with passion 💖
