Soy and Wax Candles:
There is No Difference.

Subject: Soy and wax candles

We have heard a great deal since we started making candles about the differences between soy and wax candles. We have been told that soy is better on a number of counts; the same has been said about beeswax candles.

We thought we should educate you as to the differences, so you know we aren't trying to sell you an environmentally unfriendly candle :-)

First, our candles contain the highest percentage possible of pure essential oils, made from plants. That's a good thing.

We combine these essential oils with only the highest quality wax, for a clean, even burn. This is also a good thing.

But is wax necessarily better or worse than soy, when it comes to making (or burning) candles? For answers, we went to the top trade association for candles in the U.S., the National Candle Association (http://www.candles.org/index.html).

Among other facts, we found:

--Paraffin is the most commonly used candle wax today. Beeswax, soy wax, palm wax, gels, and synthesized waxes are also used in candle-making for the U.S. market, as are blends of waxes.

--Waxes burn with a yellow flame due to the presence of carbon.

--No specific type of wax or wax blend is considered "best" for candlemaking. All candle waxes - when provided in high-quality format - have been shown to burn cleanly and safely.

--No candle wax has ever been shown to be toxic or harmful to human health.

--There is no such thing as a soot-free wax. All organic compounds when burned will emit some carbon (soot) due to incomplete combustion. Sooting is primarily a factor of wick length and disturbance of the flame's steady teardrop shape (in other words, keep all candles out of drafty places for a nice, level burn with no soot.)

This particular fact seemed like common sense, but we thought we'd share it anyway. :-)

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