scented candles handmade in amber glass jars

What Types of Wax are Used for Scented Candles?

Burning a premium scented candle is an excellent way to bring a nice scent and a warm atmosphere into your home. The types of candle wax and scents used in making scented candles have an enormous impact on the candle's performance, scent throw, burn time, and environmental footprint.

The most common types of candle wax in scented candles are:

  • Soy wax
  • Coconut wax
  • Rapeseed wax
  • Beeswax
  • Palm wax
  • Gel wax
  • Paraffin wax
  • Wax blends

This comprehensive guide to scented candle waxes will help you find the right choice and answer the question - "what type of wax is best for scented candles"?

Soy Wax

Today, soy wax is one of the most popular types of wax used to make scented candles. Soy wax is an organic wax obtained from soybeans, making it an environmentally friendly option as this wax is biodegradable and renewable.

But soy wax is also a top choice for natural scented candles due to its clean burn and excellent scent throw. Scented soy wax candles have a remarkably long burn time, only produce minimal soot, and also score with a natural, smooth, and creamy appearance.

Here's how using soy for scented wax candles compares in detail on a scale from 1 to 5

  • Burn Time: 5 - Soy wax burns very slowly, allowing your scented candles to last longer.
  • Scent: 4 - The scent throw of this wax is great, but there are overall better wax options for making strong-scented wax candles.
  • Appearance: 4 - It has a smooth and creamy texture, with a natural look.
  • Health Aspects: 5 - Soy wax is non-toxic and produces minimal soot.
  • Sustainability: 5 - It is renewable and biodegradable, obtained from soybeans.
  • Burn Performance (Clean or Not): 5 - Burns cleanly with minimal soot.
  • Melting Point: 3 - Soy wax has a comparably low melting point, helping with scent throw yet requiring careful handling.

Coconut Wax

In recent years, coconut wax has become a top choice for producing high-quality scented candles. It's a natural wax obtained from coconut oil that is praised for its scent throw and slow burn rate. It does an excellent job of capturing and releasing fragrance effectively, making it probably the best candle wax for scent throw

Similar to soy wax, coconut wax is also an eco-friendly and sustainable option. But that's just one of many reasons for its growing popularity among candle makers and consumers.

Here's how using coconut wax for scented candles compares in detail on a scale from 1 to 5:

  • Burn Time: 5 - This wax is very slow-burning, extending the life of a candle.
  • Scent: 5 - Holds fragrance very well and has an excellent scent throw.
  • Appearance: 5 - Luxurious, creamy texture.
  • Health Aspects: 5 - Non-toxic and eco-friendly.
  • Sustainability: 5 - Highly sustainable, made from coconuts (coconut oil).
  • Burn Performance (Clean or Not): 5 - Burns very cleanly.
  • Melting Point: 3 - Low melting point, which is good for scent release but can be a bit soft.

Rapeseed Wax

A relatively new and rarely used type of wax is rapeseed wax. This type is also commonly known as canola wax and is derived from an oil that is extracted from the plant's flowers.

This fully vegan wax has a smooth texture and excellent scent retention. It's also biodegradable, sustainable, and non-toxic. Scented candles made from rapeseed wax burn cleanly and comparably slow. Plus, rapeseed wax is produced from a renewable resource and has a lower environmental impact compared to some other waxes.

Here's how using rapeseed wax for scented candles compares in detail on a scale from 1 to 5:

  • Burn Time: 4 - Slow burn, though not as long-lasting as soy or coconut wax.
  • Scent: 4 - Holds fragrance well, with a good scent throw.
  • Appearance: 4 - Smooth texture, natural finish.
  • Health Aspects: 5 - Non-toxic and clean-burning.
  • Sustainability: 5 - Renewable and biodegradable, with a low environmental impact.
  • Burn Performance (Clean or Not): 5 - Burns cleanly.
  • Melting Point: 4 - Moderate melting point, stable and easy to handle.

Beeswax

Another interesting option is Beeswax, an organic scented wax for candles produced by honeybees. It has been used for centuries in candle making due to its clean, bright burn and natural honey scent.

Beeswax is known for its long burn time and is a renewable resource. However, it is more expensive than some other types of candle wax and also has a unique honey-like scent that may cover other scents in a candle.

Here's how using beeswax for scented candles compares in detail on a scale from 1 to 5:

  • Burn Time: 5 - Extremely long-burning.
  • Scent: 3 - Natural honey scent, which can limit other fragrances.
  • Appearance: 4 - Natural, rustic look.
  • Health Aspects: 5 - Non-toxic, can purify the air.
  • Sustainability: 4 - Renewable, but production impacts bee populations.
  • Burn Performance (Clean or Not): 5 - Burns very cleanly with a bright flame.
  • Melting Point: 4 - High melting point, making it durable in various temperatures.

Palm Wax

Obtained from the oil of palm trees, palm wax can be (but doesn't have to be) a non-toxic scented candle wax. It is known for its crystalline appearance and excellent scent.

Palm wax burns very cleanly and has a great but not excellent burn time. On the negative side, the environmental impact of palm oil production has raised concerns, making it essential to choose palm wax from sustainable sources.

Here's how using palm wax for scented candles compares in detail on a scale from 1 to 5:

  • Burn Time: 4 - Long burn time, similar to soy.
  • Scent: 4 - Holds fragrance well.
  • Appearance: 5 - Unique crystalline structure.
  • Health Aspects: 4 - Generally non-toxic, but source-dependent.
  • Sustainability: 2 - Environmental concerns due to deforestation; choose RSPO-certified products.
  • Burn Performance (Clean or Not): 4 - Burns relatively cleanly.
  • Melting Point: 4 - Moderate melting point, stable.

Gel Wax

From a technical perspective, gel wax actually isn't a real wax but a combination of mineral oil and polymer resin. It is unique in its appearance and can be used to create visually stunning candles.

Gel wax holds scent well but has a shorter burn time compared to common scented candle waxes. It also requires thorough care in handling and burning.

Here's how using gel wax for scented candles compares in detail on a scale from 1 to 5:

  • Burn Time: 3 - Shorter burn time compared to other waxes.
  • Scent: 4 - Holds fragrance well, though it may vary.
  • Appearance: 5 - Transparent and unique, ideal for decorative candles.
  • Health Aspects: 3 - Mineral oil-based, can release fumes if not handled correctly.
  • Sustainability: 2 - Non-renewable, petroleum-based.
  • Burn Performance (Clean or Not): 3 - Can produce some soot and requires careful burning.
  • Melting Point: 4 - High melting point, good for structure.

Paraffin Wax

The majority of mass-produced scented candles use paraffin wax as the main ingredient. This wax is petroleum-based and is widely used due to its low cost and ability to hold a high fragrance load.

Paraffin wax burns cleanly but produces a significant amount of soot and potentially harmful fumes, which can be a drawback for some users concerned about indoor air quality. This is also one of the main reasons health experts claim that scented candles can be bad for your health.

Here's how using paraffin wax for scented candles compares in detail on a scale from 1 to 5:

  • Burn Time: 4 - Reasonably long burn time.
  • Scent: 5 - Excellent scent throw, holds fragrance well.
  • Appearance: 4 - Smooth and versatile.
  • Health Aspects: 2 - Produces soot and potentially harmful fumes.
  • Sustainability: 1 - Non-renewable, petroleum-based.
  • Burn Performance (Clean or Not): 3 - Burns with soot and smoke.
  • Melting Point: 5 - High melting point, stable, and easy to handle.

Wax Blends

Wax blends combine two or more types of wax to create a product that capitalizes on the strengths of each component. Common blends include soy-paraffin and coconut-soy waxes.

These blends can offer an improved burn time, scent throw, and appearance compared to single wax types.

What to Look for in Wax for Scented Candles?

When comparing the qualities of different candle wax types for making scented candles, you should consider a variety of factors. Here's a quick breakdown of the most important factors for quality wax in scented candles.

Burn Time

The burn time of a candle is crucial for both enjoyment and value. Waxes like soy, coconut, and beeswax generally offer longer burn times.

Scent

A good scented candle should have a strong and pleasant fragrance throw. Soy wax and wax blends are often preferred for their ability to hold and disperse fragrance effectively.

Appearance

The visual appeal of a candle can be enhanced by the type of wax used. For example, palm wax has a unique crystalline structure, while gel wax offers a transparent look and beeswax always has a distinct honeyish appearance.

Health Aspects

Some waxes, like paraffin, can produce soot and potentially harmful fumes. Natural waxes such as soy, coconut, and beeswax are better choices for those concerned about air quality.

Sustainability

Eco-conscious consumers should look for waxes that are renewable and biodegradable. Soy, coconut, and rapeseed waxes are excellent options due to their minimal environmental impact.

Burn Performance (Clean or Not)

Clean-burning waxes like soy and beeswax produce minimal soot and smoke, ensuring a cleaner experience.

Melting Point

The melting point of a specific type of wax affects the candle's burn time and fragrance throw. Lower melting point waxes like soy and coconut allow for better scent release,

What is The Best Wax for Scented Candles?

In general, blends of different wax types create the best wax for scented candles. As each wax type has its unique benefits, one needs to consider its strengths and weaknesses to come up with the ideal wax blend.

Clean and eco-friendly options like soy, coconut, and rapeseed wax are all excellent choices. Other types of candle wax like gel or paraffin wax are not ideal as they may release fumes that are potentially harmful to your health.

At Craft Society, we exclusively use a blend of coconut and soy wax for our premium scented candles. Here's why:

1 - Superior Scent Throw

One of the primary reasons for blending coconut and soy wax is their combined ability to hold and release fragrance effectively, making this combination the best candle wax for scent throw. Coconut wax has an exceptional scent throw, ensuring that the fragrance is strong and consistent throughout the life of the candle. Soy wax, while also good at scent throw, adds a subtle and smooth fragrance profile, resulting in a balanced and pleasant aroma.

2 - Long Burn Time

Both coconut and soy waxes are known for their slow-burning properties. When blended, they create a candle that burns longer than many other types of wax. This extended burn time allows you to enjoy our carefully crafted scented candles for an extended time, making them better value for money.

3 - Clean and Eco-Friendly Burn

Coconut and soy waxes are both natural and renewable resources. They burn cleaner than paraffin wax, producing minimal soot and toxins.

4 - Sustainable and Renewable

We prioritize quality and sustainability in our candle-making process. Both coconut and soy wax are biodegradable and sourced from renewable resources. Soy wax is made from soybeans, while coconut wax is made from the oil of coconuts.

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