Key Takeaways:
- Soy and beeswax candles are health-conscious, eco-friendly alternatives to other synthetic waxes.
- Soy and beeswax vary in terms of affordability, sustainability, longevity, and aroma.
- Snif’s soy and vegetable wax blend candles are an affordable, conscious choice with a wide variety of fragrance options.
Soy and beeswax are two of the biggest “cleaner candle” contenders. They both get lumped into the eco-friendly category, but they’re not the same: how they’re made, how they burn, and what you get out of them can be pretty different.
If you’re deciding between soy vs. beeswax, knowing the trade-offs is basically the quickest shortcut to figuring out which one fits your space (and your standards).
What Is Soy Wax?
Soy wax is an eco-friendly alternative to traditional candle waxes made from soy beans through a process called hydrogenation.
After the soybeans are harvested, cleaned, and de-hulled, oil is extracted from the legume and refined. The oil is then heated and mixed with hydrogen gas, transforming it into a solid, vegetable-based wax suitable for candle making.
Pros of Soy Candles
One of the main pros of soy candles is that soybeans are a renewable resource. Renewable resources are materials that naturally replenish themselves and can be used without risk of depletion. Because soybeans are replanted every year, soy wax gets a lot of love as one of the more eco-minded candle bases out there.
Soy wax also holds onto fragrance oils well and lets them out slowly, so the scent stays steady instead of hitting you all at once and disappearing. Plus, soy typically burns slower than traditional paraffin, which means a longer-lasting candle and a more consistent throw the whole time it’s lit.
Cons of Soy Candles
Soy candles can burn forever, but that slow-and-steady fragrance release sometimes means a softer scent throw (aka how strongly the fragrance travels through your space).
Pure soy usually shines in small to medium rooms. Want more oomph for a bigger area? A soy blend can help push the scent further.
What Is Beeswax?
Beeswax is a natural wax produced by honey bees. When worker bees consume honey, their bodies convert the sugars into wax, which is then secreted as small flakes that are used to construct honeycomb cells. Once harvested, these honeycombs are melted and purified by beekeepers. As the substance cools, it naturally solidifies into beeswax.
Pros of Beeswax Candles
One of the main appeals of beeswax candles is their natural purity. Beeswax is biodegradable and produces little to no soot when burned, meaning less cleanup and less impact on indoor air quality.
Cons of Beeswax Candles
One of the most notable downsides of beeswax candles is their cost. Harvesting beeswax is a complex process, and its price reflects how labor-intensive it can be. The candle quality and availability also depend largely on the health and sustainability of a beekeeper’s bee population.
Another thing to know is that even though beeswax is natural, it’s not vegan. It’s considered an animal byproduct, meaning it comes from animals (same umbrella as things like wool, eggs, milk, and fur).
Should You Choose Soy or Beeswax Candles?
Soy vs. beeswax is ultimately a “what do you care about most?” situation. Both have their perks, but if fragrance is your main priority, soy usually wins.
Soy candles are generally more wallet-friendly, while beeswax takes more time and effort to produce, so it usually costs more. Beeswax can throw scent on its own, but a good soy blend can get you that same room-filling energy for less.
Snif candles are a non-toxic blend of soy and vegetable wax, made with high-quality raw materials and a pure cotton wick, and built to fill a room and keep going. With proper care, our 6oz candles burn 35+ hours, 8.5oz burn 50+ hours, and 50oz burn 200+ hours. Our scented candles meet clean industry standards, are cruelty-free, vegan, and eco-friendly… and they smell great while doing it.
What Are Some Soy Candles To Try?
Sold on soy candles and ready to take a whiff? Here are three thoughtfully scented soy candles we think you should try.
Way With Woods
Snif’s Way With Woods Scented Candle is crisp and airy, opening with white tea and mandarin, then settling into sandalwood and warm, cozy amber woods, rounded out with vetiver and a touch of earthy-sweet musk..
Mornings at Levain
Our Mornings at Levain Candle smells like you just walked into Levain right as the first tray hits the counter. It’s warm, chocolatey, a little salty, and dangerously comforting.
Think sea salt and a custom cookie accord with cocoa and chopped walnuts, all softened up with creamy orcanox and fluffy musk for that “just-baked” glow..
Instant Karma
Snif’s Instant Karma Candle is a dark, dreamy scent with a hint of sweet revenge. Spiced to satisfaction, Instant Karma features cardamom, nashi pear, black plum, geranium, vetiver, cedarwood, and black tea.
The Best Burn
Once you’ve weighed price, sustainability, and scent, the soy vs. beeswax decision really comes down to what fits your day-to-day. Both are solid upgrades from paraffin, so you can light your candle and actually feel good about it.
Now do the only thing left to do: strike the match and let it burn.
FAQs
What is the healthiest wax for candles?
High-quality organic waxes like beeswax and soy wax are the healthiest for candles as long as they don’t contain harmful artificial additives.
What are the downsides of beeswax candles?
Beeswax candles tend to be pricier than other types and offer limited scent variety, unless fragrant essential oils are added. Beeswax is also an animal byproduct, so although it’s organic, it isn’t vegan.
Sources:
Hydrogenation Fact Sheet | Stanford EHS
Renewable Resources | National Geographic