Benefits of Soy Wax Candles

Benefits of Soy Wax Candles - August, 2022

There is so much choice when choosing a candle that it can become overwhelming. Which is the best wax to choose? What is the best fragrance to choose? 

There are a variety of waxes - soy wax, paraffin wax, granulated wax, beeswax, coconut wax, gel wax, palm wax and so many more.

There are a multitude of fragrances to choose from as well, ranging from artificial scents to essential oils with names you may not even have heard before. The choice of fragrance is very personal, so is just a matter of trying those that appeal most to you.

So, how do you choose? This article provides the facts about soy candles and differentiates them from other types of waxes used in candles.

What is a Soy Candle?

Soy candles are made from soy wax. This wax is derived from soybeans, making soy candles completely natural, renewable, and biodegradable.

The transformation of soybeans into soy wax is a long process and it starts once the soybeans are harvested and cleaned. These beans are then cracked, de-hulled, and rolled into flakes. After which, oil is extracted from flakes and is hydrogenated.

The hydrogenation process involves converting the unsaturated fatty acids in the oil into saturated fatty acids, at which time the oil becomes solid at room temperature.

It is important to pick the right wax when choosing a candle because your product choice can have consequences on the environment and an impact on your health and that of your pets. Here are 12 reasons that will guide you in a better choice:

1. No Compromises on Your Health

Soy Candles have a reputation for being ‘clean burning’ candles which means that soy candles do not emit any harmful or toxic gases when they burn.

Research on this topic has been done by Alireza Yousefi from Zanjan University and can be read in her review “Therapy Candle for Illness”. In this review Alfreza states, “Soy wax candles burn cleaner and slower, are non-toxic and do not emit petrol-carbon soot.”

Unlike paraffin wax, soy wax candles do not emit any carcinogens either. When paraffin wax, which is made from petroleum burns, it emits harmful chemicals such as toluene and benzene. Both these chemicals have been linked to the development of asthma and lung cancer. Additionally, several compounds that paraffin wax releases have been termed as “toxic air agents” by many environmental agencies.

Since soy wax is made of plants, it emits no such chemicals so when you are enjoying the scent of your soy candle, your physical health, especially respiratory health, is not being compromised.

2. No Soot Deposits on Household Items

The cleaner burning result of soy wax refers to the fact that soy candles do not produce Petro-carbon soot at all. When paraffin candles emit Petro-carbon soot it will leave deposits on walls and curtains, which increases the need for home maintenance. With soy candles, this is not an issue.

3. Improved Mental Health

Scented candles can help you reach a relaxed state of mind. Chryssa Chalkia, an accredited clinical integrative psychotherapist and cognitive behavioural therapist, says, “It is scientifically proven that scented candles can play an essential role in the physiological effects of mood, stress, working capacity, and overall mental health.”

As soon as you smell a good scent, it induces the production of hormones, such as serotonin and dopamine. These hormones are famously known as “happy hormones”, which summarises their role. 

4. Improved Sleep

The stresses of everyday life can make it especially daunting to fall asleep. Scented soy candles can help by inducing and improving the quality of sleep!

There are a variety of scents which induce sleep. Here are some of them:

• Lavender
• Neroli
• Sandalwood
• Vanilla

Among these, Lavender has a soothing smell which relaxes your brain and prompts it to slow down the heart rate. Muscles are also induced to relax, and this pushes the person’s body into a form of sleep, known as short-wave sleep or delta sleep.

Now, why should you use a scented soy wax candle and not a scented paraffin candle? Because scented soy candles emit the scent better and last longer.

5. Better Scent

The idea of soy candles emitting scent better is connected to the fact that soy candles burn more slowly.

In other words, the lower melting point of soy wax creates a larger pool of liquid wax around the flame.

The fragrances are slowly released from this liquid wax, allowing the soy candle to emit the scent better.

Due to a soy candles excellent ability to emit scents better than their paraffin and beeswax candle counterparts, no artificial chemical amplifiers are added to the wax mix. This is another reason that soy wax candles do not compromise on the air quality you will inhale.

6. They Last Longer

Soy wax candles are known to last longer than paraffin candles of the same size. You can enjoy soy candles around 30-50% longer than paraffin candles, so the cost difference between the two is minimal over the life of the candle. This is mainly a result of the fact that soy wax burns cooler.

7. Safe to Use with Infants And Toddlers

When you are baby proofing your living spaces, your choice of candle must be a part of this process.

Some parents give up candle use entirely with little children around because of a fire hazard. However, you don’t have to give up the luxury of enjoying pleasant scents.

Soy wax has a much lower melting point than paraffin wax, which causes it to burn at a cooler temperature so there is less chance of a serous burn if your curious toddler drops some hot wax on themselves. However, always keep burning candles out of reach and never leave a child or pet unsupervised while burning a candle.

8. Safe to Use with Pets

Many people would argue that having pets is no different than having infants and toddlers at home as both tend to knock things over. In such a situation, candles can be a serious hazard, but you can continue to use soy candles as long they are out of reach of your pets. Soy candles are safe and do not pose any threats to your pets’ health, however if you have a pet dog, they may get irritated if the candle has a strong scent, given their sensitive sensory system. If that is the case, you can choose a candle which has a more subtle scent so that they are not affected.

9. Vegan and Cruelty Free

Both soy candles and paraffin candles are vegan because both soy and paraffin wax are not derived from animals. If you also want to make sure that your candles are cruelty free, however, soy candles are your answer because even though paraffin candles are not derived from animals or tested on them, they are not cruelty free for the planet.

10. Environmentally Friendly and Sustainable

Unlike paraffin candles, which are derived from non-renewable resources (crude oil), soy candles are derived from renewable plant resources. So, enjoying your favourite scents in a soy candle will not mean depleting limited resources.

Since paraffin is a heavy hydrocarbon derived from crude oil, it releases massive amounts of carbon dioxide - about 10 grams per hour. Soy wax releases significantly lower amounts of carbon dioxide, making it more environmentally friendly.

Soy candles are also biodegradable- another reason why they are an environmentally friendly and sustainable choice. An added benefit is easier cleaning because if you happen to spill some soy wax, you can easily clean it with soap and water.

11. Production of Soybeans Supports the Local Economy

Buying soy candles supports the local economy because the main component of producing soy candles are soybeans, and soybeans are grown in Australia.

An increase in sales and production of soy candles would directly benefit local farmers if your purchase is made from Australian manufacturers using Australian soy wax. Check your labels or Brands. 

12. The Aesthetic

This is an important reason for you to get a soy candle or many soy candles.

Whether you will be placing your candle on your study table or at the table while you are on a date, candles make the place more aesthetic. As a result, studying will feel better and your date will find your place more interesting.

In Summary

We hope this article helped you understand why soy candles are a better option.

They really are a total package. You will be able to enjoy your favourite scent for a longer time and the scent will also be more defined. While you are living through this pleasant experience, you will also be benefiting the local economy and not causing the environment or animals any harm.

If you don’t already own a soy candle, this is your cue to get one so that your dinners will have a special ambience to them, working from home will become less stressful and a better night’s sleep and improved mental health will make you a new person. For the better, of course.