Beeswax and soy are the two most popular natural candle waxes, and both have genuine merits. If you are trying to move away from paraffin candles and are not sure which natural alternative to choose, here is an honest comparison.
Beeswax candles
Beeswax is one of the oldest candle materials in existence, used for thousands of years before paraffin was ever developed. It is a natural by-product of honey production and has several distinctive qualities:
- Very clean burn: Beeswax produces minimal soot and is often described as the cleanest-burning natural wax available.
- Long burn time: Beeswax burns slowly and at a high temperature, giving an excellent burn time for the amount of wax used.
- Natural honey scent: Beeswax has a warm, subtle honey-like scent of its own, which some people love and others find competes with added fragrances.
- Beautiful warm light: Beeswax produces a warm, golden flame that is particularly beautiful in pillar or taper candles.
Downsides: Beeswax is expensive, not vegan, and its natural scent can make it harder to achieve a strong, true-to-scent fragrance throw in scented candles.
Soy wax candles
Soy wax was developed in the 1990s as a plant-based alternative to paraffin. It has become the preferred wax for most quality independent candle makers:
- Clean burn: Soy produces significantly less soot than paraffin and burns more cleanly than many other waxes.
- Excellent fragrance throw: Soy wax holds and releases fragrance oils very effectively, making it the preferred choice for scented candles.
- Long burn time: Soy burns at a lower temperature than paraffin, consuming wax more slowly and extending burn time.
- Vegan and plant-based: Soy is derived from soybeans, making it suitable for vegans and those who prefer plant-based products.
- Renewable and biodegradable: Soy is a sustainable, renewable resource.
Downsides: Soy can develop a white, powdery surface (frosting) due to temperature changes. This is purely cosmetic and does not affect burn quality.
Which should you choose?
For unscented candles where the natural beauty of the wax is the point, beeswax is exceptional. For scented candles where fragrance throw and vegan credentials matter, soy wax is the better choice. Most quality scented candles in the UK use soy wax for exactly this reason.
If you are buying candles as gifts, soy is the safer choice as it is vegan-friendly and suits a wider range of recipients.
All Victorian Candle Co. candles are made with premium soy wax, chosen for its clean burn and excellent fragrance throw. Browse our Scented Soy Candles or explore our Best Sellers.