If you have ever noticed a white, powdery coating on the surface of a soy candle, you have seen candle frosting. It can look like a flaw, but it is actually a natural characteristic of soy wax and, in many ways, a sign of quality. Here is everything you need to know.
What is candle frosting?
Frosting is a white, crystalline coating that forms on the surface of soy wax candles. It appears as a powdery or chalky layer, sometimes covering the entire surface of the candle, sometimes appearing in patches. It can also develop on the sides of a candle inside a glass vessel.
Frosting is caused by the natural polymorphic behaviour of soy wax. Soy wax is made from vegetable oil, and like all vegetable oils, it can recrystallise over time as it seeks its most stable molecular structure. This recrystallisation appears on the surface as frosting.
Why frosting is a sign of quality
Frosting only occurs in candles made with natural, plant-based waxes. Paraffin wax, being a petroleum product, does not frost. If your soy candle has frosted, it is confirmation that it is genuinely made from natural soy wax rather than a paraffin blend marketed as soy.
Many candle makers consider frosting a badge of authenticity. It is the natural wax doing what natural wax does, and it has no effect whatsoever on the performance of the candle.
Does frosting affect burn quality or fragrance?
No. Frosting is purely cosmetic. A frosted soy candle burns exactly as well as an unfrosted one, and the fragrance throw is completely unaffected. Once the candle is lit and the wax melts, the frosting disappears entirely.
What causes frosting to appear?
Several factors influence how much frosting develops:
- Temperature changes: Moving a candle between warm and cool environments accelerates frosting. This is why candles stored in a cool room or delivered in cold weather often frost more quickly.
- Age: Frosting tends to increase over time as the wax continues to recrystallise.
- Fragrance load: Higher fragrance loads can sometimes reduce frosting slightly, as the fragrance oil interferes with the recrystallisation process.
- Pouring temperature: Candles poured at lower temperatures tend to frost more than those poured at higher temperatures.
Can frosting be prevented?
It can be minimised but not entirely eliminated in a pure soy wax candle. Candle makers use various techniques to reduce frosting, including adjusting pouring temperature and using soy wax blends. But in a candle made with 100 percent natural soy wax, some frosting is inevitable and entirely normal.
All Victorian Candle Co. candles are made with 100 percent natural soy wax. Any frosting you see is a sign of genuine quality. Browse our Scented Soy Candles or explore our Best Sellers.