Bath & Body Works currently offers two different formulas of wax for our candles. The main ingredients for all formulas are vegetable wax, paraffin wax, and soy. Our Signature Collection Candles are considered vegetable wax candles. Although soy is an ingredient, our candles are not considered
Paraffin wax is the most widely used and most inexpensive of all the waxes used for candle making.
A direct call to the company confirmed that Yankee uses refined paraffin wax in their candles.
Is Paraffin Wax Toxic? Paraffin wax is commonly used to make candles and wax melts because it is generally cheaper to produce than soy wax. Since paraffin wax is derived from petroleum, coal, or shale oil, it has been found to contain known carcinogens (cancer-causing agents) such as benzene.
But if you are looking for a more eco-friendly option that burns cleanly, then soy wax may be the better choice. It is important to consider the pros and cons of each wax type before making a decision. Paraffin wax is cheaper and has a longer burn time, but it is not as eco-friendly as soy wax.
Beeswax candles are the healthiest choice in candles. Made from the caps of bee honeycombs, beeswax candles burn clean, are very long-burning, and give off a pleasant natural fragrance as they burn. Beeswax candles are dripless when burned properly, and release negative ions which help clean the air in a room.
Soy wax burns up to 50% longer than paraffin wax because soy wax has a lower melting point than paraffin wax, which means it melts at a cooler temperature and doesn't burn as fast.
Paraffin wax has some potential therapeutic uses. Some salons and spas use it as a skin-softening treatment or pain relief for sore joints and muscles. The two main benefits of paraffin wax are its moisturizing or skin-softening properties and its use in heat therapy.
When paraffin candles burn, they emit black soot and toxic fumes—similar in chemistry to diesel exhaust—containing poisonous chemicals such as benzene, toluene, naphthalene, tri-decane, tetra-decane, penta-decane, and hexadecane.
Currently, paraffin waxes are thought to be the best for producing a powerful aroma, which is why many high-end businesses continue to utilize paraffin wax in their candles.
What kind of wax is used to make Scentsy Bars? We use a custom, high-quality paraffin wax blend designed to give you long-lasting fragrance and selected for its scent loading ability, melting point and firmness. That means it warms beautifully and holds a lot of fragrance!
WoodWick Candles are a blend of soy and paraffin wax that allows for a cleaner and smoke free burn. The signature feature of WoodWick Candles is the wooden wick that Crackles as it Burns™.
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.
Beeswax is the Clear Winner
Out of the natural candle waxes available, beeswax burns the longest. Created by honey bees to build honeycomb cells in their beehives, beeswax is harder and denser than other types of candle wax and burns at a higher temperature, making it the perfect choice for longer-lasting candles.
Paraffin wax is the best option if super-strong hot throw is your ultimate goal. Just as artists select different materials for different goals, candle makers can use different waxes to achieve different goals.
Only fresh wax should be put into a paraffin bath. All used wax must be disposed of after a single use because paraffin wax is not reusable.
The best paraffin wax for beginners
For new candle makers, and anyone wanting to try paraffin wax, we highly recommend IGI 6006. It's a bestseller for a reason! IGI 6006 is a paraffin-soy wax blend for containers and tealights. It's easy to use, has excellent color retention when dyed, and offers fantastic hot throw.
The second reason paraffin poses an extremely low risk of contamination if used properly is that it doesn't contain any water, which is a requirement for bacteria, fungi, and viruses to grow. Paraffin is a petroleum derivative and, as the saying goes, oil and water don't mix.
Since paraffin wax is derived from petroleum oil, the researchers suggest that using these candles frequently will cause “dangerous pollutants drifting in the air,” which can be harmful when inhaled.
Many people think that burning a paraffin wax candle is pretty harmless and won't impact the environment or their health. However, this is so false! A South Carolina State University study found that “The paraffin candles we tested released unwanted chemicals into the air.
Are Wax Melts Worth It? Wax melts are safer, healthier, more eco-friendly, cheaper, last longer, have more fragrance, and are more convenient than candles.
Thanks to paraffin wax's high resistance to evaporation, low melting point and low melt rate, it's an ideal ingredient for Scentsy Bars. Understanding the science behind melting wax is how we provide the safe, high-quality fragrance experience that Scentsy fans around the world know and love.
Soy wax contains nothing artificial, which makes it a better alternative to old-fashioned paraffin wax, which is made from petroleum oil and produces harmful by-products when burned or melted. Soy wax is non-toxic making it better both for the environment and your health!
Smaller candles with smaller wicks typically burn for 6-8 hours per ounce of wax. Larger candles have longer wicks that require more wax to burn. They have a burn time of 4-6 hours per ounce. In general, an 8oz candle can burn for up to approximately 50 hours.