Ode to Soy
Before I begin waxing poetic about soy, I think we need a very brief rundown on everyone’s favorite topic: the history of candle wax.
History of Candle Wax
According to records (which records? I’m not sure.), back in the day of 3,000 B.C., ancient Egyptians relied on candles made of tallow to light their way. Tallow is an elegant word for animal fat. Easy and relatively cheap to come by, people made candles of tallow throughout the ancient and middle ages, typically using fat of whatever animal they just happened to be butchering (sheep, pig, ox, etc.). That was all fine and dandy, except it usually resulted in a hot mess of grease that smelled as bad as you would imagine and filled the air with thick smoke.
Tallow continued to be the preferred source of after-sun light for a couple or so centuries, while some people experimented with beeswax (expensive) and berries (tedious), until paraffin hit the scene in 1850.
Paraffin Wax
Most commonly found candles are made of this guy. Paraffin is a byproduct of petroleum refinement, it surged in popularity during the Industrial Revolution due to its affordability and clean and odorless burn. For those reasons, paraffin has been the preferred material for the modern day candles you’ve come to know and love. But most great things have a catch, right?
Right. A 2014 peer-reviewed study published in the National Library of Medicine demonstrates that burning paraffin wax emits benzene and formaldehyde, two known carcinogens, as well as nine other toxins documented by the American Lung Association. These toxins can negatively impact everything from your breathing to your fertility. While the levels emitted are not outrageous, it’s one of those things that is worth avoiding if it’s easily avoidable. And good news, it is.
Soy Wax
Now that soy wax has officially entered the chat, we can finally get to the point of this post. Developed in the 1990’s by US agriculturists, soy wax is the relatively new darling on the candle wax scene, and for good reason. Which reasons? I’ll give you seven.
Seven Benefits of Sox Wax in Candles
Non-Toxic - Unlike paraffin, soy burns cleanly and does not emit carcinogens or other toxins.
Longer Lasting - Soy tends to be a teeny bit pricier than paraffin, but it makes up for it in the longevity department. It’s lower-melting point means you’ll get more bang for your buck than you do with paraffin.
Softer Scent - While soy-based candles are indeed aromatic, they have a softer scent than paraffin. For those with who get headaches and allergies from strong smelling candles, this is great news.
Renewable Resource - Soy is one of the planet’s most widely produced crops, and unlike petroleum, it grows back.
Low Soot - While all candles produces some amount of soot, soy gives off less than paraffin, meaning it’s less likely you’ll get those weird black stains on your walls, drapes, etc.
Washable - Ever spilled hot wax on your table or carpet? Maybe not, but if you have you know what a pain it is to clean. Soy wax and its residue are relatively easy to wash with warm water and soap.
Less Dangerous - Because of soy wax’s lower melting point, it doesn’t get as hot as paraffin. So, should you accidentally spills some on yourself or your household objects (you’re rolling your eyes, but it does happen…), it’s less likely that it’ll result in severe burns.
This is why I chose soy wax for Black Pearl Candles. When it comes to household products, there is an abundance of toxins and carcinogens and dangers to worry about. Your favorite scented candles shouldn’t be one of them.
Cheers!
Abbe
Post Sources
National Candle Association
National Library of Medicine
NSU Florida
Statista
