Even if you’re a total novice to home fragrance, we reckon you’ve heard of soy wax; particularly in its use in the candle-making world. Soy wax candles have become hugely popular over the past several years - but what is the hype? And what is soy wax in the first place?
To answer all of your soy wax-related questions, we’ve put together this guide. Find out all about what soy wax is, how it’s made, and some of the key advantages to soy candles…
What is soy wax?
First things first: what is soy wax?
Soy wax is a type of natural wax derived from the soybean plant. Soy itself is classified as a staple crop, and is one of the most cultivated legumes in the world. You may be pretty familiar with soy in your daily life: early harvested soy beans are the tasty snack better known as edamame; the beans can be made into milk or tofu, or fermented into soy sauces and bean pastes.
But, instead of using the bean or husk of the plant, soy wax is actually made from soybean oil…
How is soy wax made?
To make soy wax, there are a few key stages the soybean plant has to go through:
- Preparation: soybeans are harvested, washed, de-hulled, pressed and processed to release the oils.
- Collection: the soybean oil is collected and refined away from the grain.
- Hydrogenation: hydrogenation changes the soybean oil from a liquid to a solid; by lowering the melting temperature and improving the stability, this can now be considered a usable wax for candle-making.
Once the soy wax has solidified, it is typically formed into flakes, beads, or blocks depending on the amount required.
Using soy wax for candles
So what about using soy wax for candles? What is the point if there are already existing waxes like paraffin or beeswax?
There are actually lots of advantages to soy candles, including:
- Higher sustainability: since it comes from a plant, soy wax is considered a natural oil (whereas paraffin wax is derived from petroleum). Soy candles are therefore more environmentally-friendly, as they are made from a renewable resource.
- A cleaner, longer burn: unlike paraffin, soy candles produce little to no soot when burning, creating a safer, more inviting home environment. Soy wax also has a lower melting point than paraffin, which means it burns slowly and more evenly – so you can enjoy your favourite scents for longer.
- A higher-quality product: a key advantage of soy candles is that they’re less likely to tunnel, and have an excellent scent-holding ability (allowing the scent to continually release a more authentic fragrance burn after burn).
Want to go more in-depth into the advantages to soy candles? Check out our article on Is Soy Wax Good For Candles?
Soy wax FAQs
Still got some questions about soy candles? Find the answers to some of the most common soy wax FAQs right here…
Why choose soy wax?
As we mentioned above, there are loads of advantages to soy candles: from the cleaner burn, to the high quality result.
Here at Essence of Harris, choosing soy wax for our candles was an obvious decision. From the very beginning, we’ve been resolved to celebrate what makes our remote island so unique, and we couldn’t do this without a natural, sustainable material like soy wax.
Do soy wax candles produce soot?
No candle is truly soot-free, as it’s a byproduct of the combustion process. But, while yes, soy candles can produce soot, this is significantly less than paraffin wax candles. This leads to a cleaner burn and less stains on walls or furniture. It also means there are fewer pollutants - which can be valuable if you love home fragrance but have sensitive allergies.
Why does my soy wax candle look different to my other candles?
As a plant-based material, soy wax is often softer and more responsive to temperature changes. This means that the colour may look different to others in your collection. It’s also common for soy candles to have a slightly uneven surface, or a frosted finish.
As this isn’t something you see with paraffin candles, it may surprise you. But, this is all completely normal, and not something that affects the quality of your candle - it will still smell amazing!
Is soy wax toxic?
Soy wax is generally considered non-toxic, as it doesn’t have the hydrocarbon-based pollutants of paraffin wax. This means it is a safer, cleaner option for your home fragrance needs.
Is soy wax vegan?
Short answer? Yes. As a plant-based material, soy wax is a vegan alternative to animal-derived beeswax. It’s also the more sustainable choice compared to oil-derived paraffin.
At Essence of Harris, we only use soy wax in our candles and wax melt bars. This, combined with our vegan fragrance oils, means our soy candles are the perfect addition to your home.
Top Tip: we also use a vegan diffuser base in our reed diffusers!
Our favourite soy wax candles
We couldn’t talk about soy candles without mentioning a few of our absolute favourites from our classic Candle Collection! We love…
Losgaintir Coconut, Bergamot and Vanilla Candle
Packed with creamy coconut, comforting bergamot and the added sweetness of vanilla, the Losgaintir Candle is a must-have for relaxing evenings snuggled up in the living room.
Horgabost Lemongrass, Lemon and Ginger Candle
Bold and vibrant, our Horgabost Candle is perfect for invigorating mornings in the home office. Get focussed and ready for the day with the help of the bright burst of Sicilian lemon, lemongrass, and a sharp punch of ginger root.
Huisinis Pink Pomelo, Grapefruit & Rhubarb Candle
Looking for something sweet and fruity? It’s got to be our Huisinis Candle. Jam packed with the fresh scents of pomelo, orange, grapefruit, watermelon, and rhubarb, this soy candle brings a joyful fragrance to any room in your home.
Or, check out our Small Batch Candles for access to some incredible, limited run fragrances…
Bring home your favourite scent blend with Essence of Harris
Soy wax is an amazingly versatile, sustainable, and high-quality candle-making material. At Essence of Harris, you can find a wonderful range of scent blends for every room in the home. From our Soy Wax Candles and Wax Melt Bars, to delicate Reed Diffusers, bring home your favourite scent blend today!
Want to learn more? We think you’ll love… How to Use Wax Melts | Understanding Our Scent Collection: A Home Fragrance Guide | Transforming Your Home with Scent Layering
