Why choose coconut soy wax for your candles?

What are the benefits of choosing coconut soy wax?

There are various types of different waxes used in candle making, which can make it overwhelming and confusing when you're on the market for a new candle! You may have heard about paraffin, palm, bees, apricot, and bayberry wax to name a few. So, you may be wondering what the benefits are of coconut soy wax, compared to other waxes? Look no further! This article will explain why coconut soy wax is the best option when buying new candles and why specifically, we choose to use a blend of coconut soy wax in our candles. Let's start with the benefits of coconut soy wax! 

• Sustainable and biodegradable: Coconut soy wax is a renewable resource as it is derived from coconut meat and soybeans, which are sustainable options on their own. This means that they can be grown naturally and constantly without depleting the planet's resources. Being a "green-based" or "eco-based" wax, the coconut soy blend is also naturally biodegradable and vegan-friendly, meaning its disposal is approved by Mother Nature!
• Gives a non-toxic, clean burn: As a pure, natural and renewable resource, coconut soy wax offers a cleaner burn in comparison to others. Our candles are non-toxic and eco-friendly therefore, they do not produce the same harmful by-products or black-soot that other waxes do when they burn. Therefore, they also help maintain a healthy environment by maintaining clean air quality, making them the safer option not only for those who are conscious of their own respiratory health, but also those households with little ones and pets.
• Longer, more even burn-time: Our wax has a low melting point, which means it burns nicely and forms an even pool of wax, even in cooler environments. This low melting point allows a slower burn, often leading to a stronger scent throw than other types of waxes. This means you'll get more out of your candle, making coconut soy wax the more cost-effective choice!

Why choose coconut soy wax over other wax on the market?

So, why is coconut soy wax the better alternative?

Well, 100% soy wax is made from soybean oil and is known to have good burn quality. It is natural, clean and produces minimal soot, which is why we use it in our unique blend. However, 100% soy wax can look crumbly, is prone to more wet spots, frosting and is known to have a more subtle scent throw.

Similarly to our coconut soy wax, beeswax is a great alternative, having been harvested from beehives, it is then melted and filtered several times. Following this, is it rolled out of turned into blocks. This is the oldest type of wax used in the candle making process. It has low yield and like coconut soy wax, it is derived naturally and organically. Beeswax candles have a better burn quality than other waxes and it burns brighter, hotter and cleaner too! However, it can be quite expensive because it is the purest type of wax therefore, it can be more difficult to source. Furthermore, it also possesses a natural golden colour which means that colouring a candle can be more of a challenge.

Palm wax is obtained from palm oil and was once believed to be a sustainable option. However, this would only be true if it was possible to be produced 100% organically, but due to the high global demand of the various products in the palm industry, a lot of the palm oil available in the market is produced either unnaturally or unsustainably. This type of wax has the same burn quality as paraffin wax and has high contraction rates which means that de-moulding is easy.

Paraffin wax is derived from petroleum and is relatively cheaper. Most commercially available candles are made from paraffin wax because it comes in different melting points which means it can be used for various types of candles such as container, pillars and melts. Moreover, candles made from paraffin wax can hold a stronger scent however, this type of wax burns quicker so you will end up buying twice as many candles. Of all the waxes mentioned in this article, paraffin wax is the least environmentally friendly. So, let's look at why we don't use this commercially popular option:

• Unsustainable and non-renewable: Paraffin wax is a petroleum-based product, which means it is not renewable or sustainable for the environment. In fact, it is made by processing crude oil (fossil fuels) and other harmful materials. 
• Non-biodegradable: Being a byproduct of fossil fuels, paraffin wax is not biodegradable. This essentially means that it can take hundreds of years for it to naturally degrade. Furthermore, after burning, paraffin wax based candles leave behind a residue in the environment. When this comes into contact with air or oxygen particles in water, it emits toxic fumes.
• Toxic: Paraffin wax contains a number of harmful chemicals, including benzene and toluene. These chemicals are known to cause a variety of health problems, ranging from respiratory issues to cancer. When burnt, paraffin wax releases carcinogenic substances which leads to air pollution.

We hope that with all this information, we have provided adequate knowledge to help you pick the candle wax that is right for you and your home. At Theia Fragrances, our aim is to create memories and experiences through our unique scents without compromising on the environment and your health! This is why we put extensive research into the products we use before making an informed decision. We hope you make the switch to coconut soy wax today! As always, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us here.