The common waxes side by side
Most candles sold for the home use one of a handful of waxes, or a blend of them. The table gives the general picture. Individual products vary, because wax makers sell many grades of each type, each with its own melting range and handling notes.
| Wax | Where it comes from | Look and feel | Common uses | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paraffin | A by-product of refining petroleum | Smooth, takes color evenly | Containers, pillars, votives, tapers (depends on the grade) | Grades differ a lot, so the right wick depends on the exact wax |
| Soy | Hydrogenated soybean oil | Creamy, often slightly uneven on top | Mostly container candles | Soft and prone to frosting, a harmless white bloom |
| Beeswax | Made by honeybees and filtered | Golden with a light honey smell, or white when bleached | Pillars, tapers, rolled sheets, containers | Melts hotter than most waxes, so it usually needs a larger wick |
| Coconut | Hydrogenated coconut oil, usually blended | Very white and creamy | Container candles | Too soft to stand alone, so it is sold mostly as a blend |
| Rapeseed | Hydrogenated rapeseed (canola) oil | Creamy, similar to soy | Container candles, some blends | Behaves much like soy and frosts in the same way |
| Blends | Two or more waxes mixed by the wax maker | Varies with the mix | Containers, pillars, melts | Each blend has its own data sheet; follow it for wicks and temperatures |
Paraffin
Paraffin is the wax most people grew up with. It comes from refining crude oil, and it is made in many grades, from soft container waxes to hard waxes for pillars and tapers. It takes color and fragrance well and is easy to work with, which is why it has been the standard candle wax for a long time.
Some people prefer plant-based waxes because paraffin comes from petroleum. Debates about which wax burns "cleaner" come up often. The amount of soot from any candle depends heavily on the wick size, the draft in the room and how well the wick is trimmed, so good burning habits matter more than the label.
Soy and other plant waxes
Soy wax is made from soybean oil that has been hydrogenated so it is solid at room temperature. It is soft, with a lower melting point than most paraffin, so it is used mainly in containers. Soy candles often have a creamy look and can show frosting: a white, crystal-like bloom on the surface or along the glass. Frosting does not affect how the candle burns.
Rapeseed wax, common in Europe, behaves much like soy. Coconut wax is very soft and is almost always blended with another wax so it holds its shape in a jar. Palm wax forms a crystal or feather pattern when it sets; if that matters to you, look for information on how the palm oil was produced.
Beeswax
Beeswax is made by honeybees to build their combs. After it is collected and filtered, it is naturally golden with a faint honey smell. It melts at a higher temperature than most candle waxes, around 145°F (about 63°C), so beeswax candles usually need a larger wick and tend to burn more slowly.
Like soy, beeswax can develop a white bloom on its surface over time. A soft cloth or a little warmth from a hair dryer on a low setting usually clears it. Rolled beeswax sheets are one of the easiest ways to make candles at home, because nothing has to be melted.
Blends
Many candles use a blend, such as soy with coconut, or paraffin with a plant wax. Wax makers create blends to balance hardness, scent, smooth tops and how well the wax sticks to glass. If you make candles, treat each blend as its own wax: the maker's data sheet tells you the melting range, the most fragrance it can hold, and the temperatures for adding fragrance and pouring.
Choosing a candle by wax
- For a jar on a side table: any container wax works. Soy, coconut blends and container paraffin are all common.
- For a centerpiece pillar: look for harder waxes, such as pillar paraffin, beeswax or a pillar blend.
- For tapers: hard waxes that don't bend in warm rooms, often paraffin or beeswax.
- For no added scent: plain beeswax has its own mild smell; unscented paraffin and soy have very little.
Whichever wax you choose, how you burn the candle makes the biggest difference. The wick guide and the burn care guide come next.