Hand poured & All natural

You’ve probably (or at least hopefully) noticed by now that all of our Fairy Fire Creations candles are hand-poured, all-natural, and made with premium soy wax. Soy wax? What’s that? Why is it better than good ol’ paraffin wax? Let’s talk about it. 

What is soy wax? 

Soy wax is a wax that’s created from (you guessed it) soybeans. After harvesting, the soybeans are cleaned and dehydrated. According to Candle Science, the beans are then rolled into flakes, and oil is extracted from the soybean flakes to be hydrogenated. This changes the melting point of the oil and allows it to remain solid at room temperature. 

Soy wax is used for a variety of purposes, including candle-making and skincare. 

What are soy wax candles? 

As the name suggests, soy wax candles are made from soy wax rather than paraffin wax or some other wax blend. 

Soy wax candles are typically priced in the mid-range tier at anywhere from $5 to $100 based on the quality of the soy, how large the candle is, and a number of other variable factors. Our soy wax candles here at Fairy Fire Creations start at $9 for our 4 oz. mason jars and go up to $70 for our extra-large refillable dough bowl candle. 

What is paraffin wax? 

Rather than being derived from natural soybeans like soy wax is, paraffin wax is actually obtained from petroleum by-products. Science Direct reports that paraffin wax is usually derived by dewaxing refined lubricating oil stocks through chilling, filtration, and extraction. 

Basically, paraffin is one of the leftover products created in the oil-refining process. It’s used for everything from making candles to cleaning out industrial pipelines. 

What are paraffin wax candles? 

Paraffin wax candles are either created with 100% paraffin or some blend of paraffin and another material. One of the reasons soy wax candles are so popular is because of their price points. A typical paraffin wax candle is very affordable compared to other candles since paraffin is so cheap to source and use. That low price comes with quite a few drawbacks, though. 

So, why is soy wax so much better than paraffin wax? 

1. Soy wax is more environmentally friendly than traditional paraffin wax. 

Since soy wax is 100% naturally derived from soybeans, it’s completely biodegradable and compostable. On the other hand, paraffin wax is not plant-based, so it’s not biodegradable or able to be composted. 

Additionally, creating soy wax is a sustainable process, since soybeans can be re-planted and harvested year after year. Unfortunately, paraffin wax just isn’t environmentally sustainable because it’s made from petroleum by-products and petroleum is not a renewable resource. 

2. Soy wax candles are non-toxic and better for your health. 

A study conducted by South Carolina State Universityin 2006 found that burning paraffin wax candles could cause health problems in the long term since they give off carcinogenic fumes. The same study reported that soy wax candles are better for your health overall because they produce less soot and don’t produce the same toxic fumes that paraffin wax candles do. 

Speaking of soot, did you know that it can actually harm your skin and your home? Stick with our soy wax candles to avoid those problems entirely. 

3. Soy wax candles have a subtle scent that won’t overpower your home. 

Some say this is a drawback, but we definitely disagree. When you burn a soy wax candle, the scent will be released slowly over time, which can prevent headaches and nausea that accompany a scent overpowering your space. This is largely due to the fact that soy wax is denser and burns more slowly than paraffin wax, which is another bonus in our book!

4. Soy wax candles are safer and easier to clean up. 

Since soy wax candles have a much lower melting point than paraffin wax candles, the wax doesn’t get nearly as hot. That means you have less of a chance of burning yourself if you do accidentally drop or knock over your soy wax candle. 

If you do accidentally knock over a soy wax candle, the cleanup is a breeze because soy wax is water-soluble and soft. It can easily be washed out with soap, water, and maybe just a little bit of scrubbing. 

Have you ever tried a soy wax candle? How does it compare to a paraffin wax candle? Let us know below— we’d love to hear about your experience and your preference!