The Importance of Quality Wax in Candle Making: Understanding the Impact on Scent and Burn Time

Quality Of Wax When Making Candles

When making candles, there are options when choosing a wax to use. Some wax companies or people making at-home candles use soy wax or beeswax. Other types of wax that people use when making candles are gel wax or coconut wax. Depending on the type of wax used creates a candle with different properties. The burn time might be longer or shorter, depending on the type of wax used. With a variety of intensities of the flame and how quickly the candle lasts. Price is another factor that goes into the wax companies use, with some being more expensive when compared to the other types of waxes. 

Health benefits or problems can also vary as much as the type of wax used to make the candle. When searching for candles to buy, it's beneficial to understand the ingredients in the candle, the blend of waxes that could be in, and how that might affect your health. Most companies will try to cut costs to get a higher profit. However, at what cost to the customer? And the well-being of them and their family? At JPM Collections, LLC, we are creating candles that we are proud of and know that they will loved in the places where they are used. It's important for us to make sure that the highest quality products are in our candles', and committed to the happiness of our customers. 

Different types of waxes are out in the market that are used, like beeswax. When choosing a type of wax, it's important to know how it will fit your home and lifestyle. Not all candles are made the same way, and in the upcoming paragraphs, there will be a breakdown of each wax type, the wax burn time, and the possible risks/ benefits of the wax.

Soy wax is made from vegetable oil, making the use of soy wax a vegetarian option for those who want an animal-free alternative (All About Soy Wax & Its Uses, n.d.). When looking at burn time, soy wax will be different from all the other waxes. Soy wax has a low melting point of 130 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing for the wax to be melted at a faster rate when preparing to make candles (Webfx, 2024). This, in turn, can make candles at a higher rate because less energy is required to heat the wax. 

Paraffin wax is a by-product of petroleum, characterized by a white substance derived from crude oil, and is the most common wax used by candle makers (Fletcher, 2022). Paraffin wax has a different melting point compared to soy wax. The melting point for paraffin wax is from 120 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit (Webfx, 2024). This, in turn, allows low-temperature use, like placing it on human skin. However, paraffin wax has been shown to have possible health risks. People with sensitive skin might form a rash around the area where the wax was placed if used cosmetically (Gillespie, 2019). 

Coconut wax is created by processing coconuts and creating a wax from the coconut oil. The benefits of coconut wax candles are that they allow a silk-like appearance in the final product. Coconut wax also allows the fragrance to blend more evenly with the wax (Coconut Candle Wax| Cargill NatureWax® | Cargill, n.d.). The melting point for coconut wax is low when compared to other waxes. Coconut wax melts at 100 to 107 degrees Fahrenheit, which could make it fast to make candles but might seem difficult when working with the wax (Mazzaferro, 2020). 

Beeswax is another common form of wax used when creating candles. Beeswax comes from the combs of the beehives, the color and amount of beeswax that is produced depends on the bees and what type of pollen they collect (Austin, 2018). The melting point for beeswax is higher than the other waxes at 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Having a higher melting point allows it to take longer to create and finish the final product. When looking at the health benefits of beeswax, there hasn't been much scientific evidence. We are not stating that there aren't any benefits, just showing that there is not enough research to answer the potential benefits (BEESWAX: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews, n.d.). 

Not All Wax Is The Same

When looking at the price range of different waxes, there is a variety of prices when it comes to purchasing different types. Some waxes are more cost-effective and are more readily available than others. 

We have looked at three different prices of waxes from three different companies and calculated the median average for paraffin, soy, coconut, and beeswax. We used 10 lb bags for each wax that we are looking up to have an even playing field.

Paraffin wax is the most widely used wax when making candles because of the low price of the wax and the type of wax that most candle companies use when they are making candles. 

10 lbs Waxes 

Paraffin Wax $31.64

1. $30.95 USD Douglas and Sturgess

2. $34.99 USD Amazon

3. $28.99 USD Candles and Supplies  

Coconut Wax $38.61

1. $29.88 USD Candle Science

2. $37.95 USD Amazon

3. $47.99 USD Bramble Berry 

Soy Wax $31.03

1. $26.70 USD The Flaming Candle

2. $30.45 USD Candle Science

3. $35.95 USD Walmart 

Beeswax $80.84

1. $94.14 USD Candle Science

2. $32.99 USD Amazon

3. $115.40 USD Douglas and Sturgess   

Graph showing the average price range of three waxes from one group. Showing that beeswax is set at a higher price range than compared to the other waxes.

JPM Collection Candle Blend

At JPM Collections, LLC we have extensively tried different wax products to be sure we achieved the results we are looking for. After many trials, we ended up with a 1:1 ratio blend between beeswax and coconut wax, giving us our signature wax blend. This blend allows our fragrance load to be stronger with the added effect of the candle burning for a longer time, in turn, cultivating a luxury candle for your space.

What makes JPM Collections candles different from the competitors is simple. High-quality, locally sourced materials to make our candles. That does not add any unnecessary additives. When you purchase a JPM Collections candle, you know that you are purchasing from a small Latino queer-owned business and burning high-quality materials in your home. 

Citations

1. 10lb soy wax. (n.d.). Walmart.com. https://www.walmart.com/c/kp/10lb-soy-wax

2. 125mp Paraffin Wax per 10 lb. slab. (n.d.-a). Candles and Supplies, Inc. https://www.candlesandsupplies.com/10-SLAB-125mp-Paraffin-Wax

3. All about Soy Wax & its uses. (n.d.-b). Copyright ©2024 Terre De Bougies. https://www.terre-de-bougies.com/en/content/94-soy-wax-guide

4. Austin, K. (2018a, July 4). How do bees make beeswax? BeeBee & Leaf. https://beebeewraps.com/blogs/news/how-do-bees-make-beeswax

5. BEESWAX: Overview, uses, side effects, precautions, interactions, dosing and reviews. (n.d.-b). https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-305/beeswax

6. CandleScience. (2024a, January 4). IGI 4627 Comfort Blend Candle Wax. CandleScience - Candle and Soap Making Supplies. https://www.candlescience.com/wax/igi-4627/?variant=23-lb-bag

7. CandleScience. (2024b, February 23). White beeswax. CandleScience - Candle and Soap Making Supplies. https://www.candlescience.com/wax/white-beeswax/?variant=5-lb-bag

8. CandleScience. (2024c, April 18). Golden Brands 454 Coconut Soy wax. CandleScience - Candle and Soap Making Supplies. https://www.candlescience.com/wax/golden-brands-454-coconut-soy-wax/?variant=10-lb-bag

9. CandleScience. (2024d, April 21). Golden Brands 464 Soy wax. CandleScience - Candle and Soap Making Supplies. https://www.candlescience.com/wax/golden-brands-464-soy-wax/?variant=10-lb-bag

10. Coconut Candle Wax| Cargill NatureWax® | Cargill. (n.d.-a). https://www.cargill.com/bioindustrial/naturewax/coconut-vegetable-oil#:~:text=Coconut%20wax%20is%20made%20from,throw%20and%20extended%20burn%20time.

11. Fletcher, J. (2022a, May 25). What to know about paraffin wax treatments. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/paraffin-wax#overview

12. Fletcher, J. (2022b, May 25). What to know about paraffin wax treatments. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/paraffin-wax#summary

13. Gillespie, C. (2019a, March 8). The benefits of paraffin wax and how to use it at home. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/paraffin-wax#side-effects

14. Gillespie, C. (2019b, March 8). The benefits of paraffin wax and how to use it at home. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/paraffin-wax#at-home

15. Golden Brands GW 415 Soy Wax Flakes. (n.d.). The Flaming Candle Company. https://www.theflamingcandle.com/candle-wax/soy-wax/golden-brands-gw-415-soy-wax-flakes/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwuJ2xBhA3EiwAMVjkVCQEXFjL2qSREtzFer6OpxhuGJwziIT9-qcnV9e5ML3oP_pwmlEf0BoCJcEQAvD_BwE

16. Is burning scented candles doing more harm than good? We asked the experts. (2023, April 21). TODAY.com. https://www.today.com/health/burning-candles-bad-for-you-rcna80223

17. Mazzaferro, R. (2020a, April 18). FAQ: Have we considered using coconut wax? The Flying Farm. https://flyingfarmcandles.com/blogs/articles/have-you-considered-using-coconut-wax#:~:text=Even%20so%2C%20the%20pure%20version,challenging%2C%20especially%20in%20warmer%20months.

18. Paraffin Wax, 10 lb. Bag. (n.d.-a). Douglas and Sturgess. https://douglasandsturgess.com/products/paraffin-11-lb-slab

19. Sites-Brambleberry-Site. (n.d.). https://www.brambleberry.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-brambleberry-Site/default/Product-Variation?pid=V001210&dwvar_V001210_size=10%2E00

20. ultracreme paraffinTM pillar candle wax. (n.d.). Makesy®. https://makesy.com/products/ultracreme-paraffin-pillar-wax?variant=43376552542362

21. Webfx. (2024a, February 20). Melting point factors for common waxes | Blended waxes. Blended Waxes. https://blendedwaxes.com/blog/wax-melting-point-factors/

22. Whitten, C. (2021, September 16). Candles: health benefits, risks, and safety tips. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/balance/features/candles-health-benefits

Yellow Beeswax, 10 lbs. (n.d.). Douglas and Sturgess. https://douglasandsturgess.com/products/yellow-beeswax-10-lbs