I know there's a "soy train" that a lot of people want to be on. To each their own. I started out using soy but after making many melts and candles and doing quite a bit of research, I switched to "the dark side". I will tell you why but let me first share with you some things I have learned that you may not have known.
Paraffin wax was created in the early 1800's and soy wax was created in the 1990's. Paraffin is natural but "non-renewable" because the source is depleted faster than it can be made. The source is "fossil fuel", which is the remains of decayed marine creatures from millions of years ago. While soybeans are renewable I have found that their production also has a few down sides. We can talk about that later. Soybean production is bad for the environment, especially in the Amazon. Did you know that no soy wax can be considered "organic"? That is because almost all soybeans are genetically modified or mixed with soybeans that have been modified. It is also because there is a chemical change that occurs when the soybean oil is turned into the wax. Most soy waxes are mixed with at least a small amount of paraffin for better scent throw and melting properties. Did you know that a wax product only has to be 51% soy to be labeled "pure"? Did you know that soy candles "soot" and produce the black on your jars as well?
One of the main reasons I switched is because the scent throw of soy isn't as good as paraffin. Trust me! this is just something people say to make soy sound better. I wanted to make a great product without a bunch of added chemicals. To get soy to perform as well as other waxes you have to add other chemicals like vybar. I do not use vybar or any other additives in any of my products. I like the way the coloring comes out better in paraffin versus soy. Soy tends to be more "cloudy" or "pastel". My soy candles did soot and also leave black on the jars, which people claim doesn't happen when you use soy. That is a lie. I have found that regardless of what people say, this can happen with all waxes. It is less of a wax issue and more of an oil/wax ratio issue and has a lot to do with the wick that is used. You know what candles "soot" the most? Cheap ones; candles with cheap wax, cheap scent and cheap oils. Proper candle care also plays a huge roll in how your candle performs. Paraffin also burns just as well and as long as soy. The truth is if soy made a better candle, than the top brands would use more of it and they don't. Don't believe me, look it up, soy is not the main ingredient. I am offering you great, hand poured wax products at great prices. I have tested and done the research and this is why I prefer paraffin wax to soy wax. I love my products and hope you do too!
I did use lots of notes and sources but one of the most valuable sources was the site of the National Candle Association. Please feel free to check them out.
Have a question or comment, contact me. I would love to hear from you.
