Are Soy Candles Better For You? Comparing Soy, Beeswax, and Paraffin Candles
In recent years, soy wax candles have risen in popularity thanks to the desire for sustainable, environmentally-friendly, alternatives to traditional wax candles. Soy wax candles offer long burn times, are made from biodegradable soybean oil, and maintain their fragrance for considerable spans. Other alternatives, like paraffin wax and beeswax, are extremely popular, but can they compete with soy wax?
As candlemakers ourselves, we’ve learned a thing or two about wax over the years. 100% natural soy wax candles have been our jam since the beginning. In this guide, we’re going to take a deeper look comparing the different candle wax types, their respective benefits, and how you can pick the best candle wax type for your needs.
What Are Soy Candles?
Soy candles are candles made from soy wax, a plant-based wax derived from hydrogenated soybean oil. Soy wax candles are renewable, biodegradable, and known for their clean, even burn. Many people searching for the best soy candles are looking for options that burn longer, release fewer toxins, and deliver a rich scent throw without overwhelming chemical notes.
Because they’re made from a natural, vegetable-based wax, soy candles appeal to shoppers seeking eco-friendly, vegan, or low-soot types of candles for everyday use.
4 Reasons Why Soy Candles Are Better for You
Non-toxic and clean-burning, soy wax candles are widely regarded as one of the healthiest candle options. Whether you’re comparing soy or beeswax candles, or deciding between soy and paraffin, here’s why many candle lovers choose soy as their go-to wax.
1. Soy candles are eco-friendly and sustainable
Soybeans are a renewable agricultural crop, making soy wax one of the most environmentally friendly types of candles available. Soy wax is biodegradable and burns more cleanly than paraffin, releasing significantly fewer pollutants into the air. Because soy wax burns slowly, you spend less time buying new candles and more time enjoying a cleaner, healthier atmosphere at home. For shoppers prioritizing sustainability, soy wax candles consistently rank among the best choices.
2. They have a better scent throw
One of the biggest benefits of soy candles is their smooth, even fragrance distribution. Soy wax holds and releases fragrance oils exceptionally well, producing a rich scent throw without the artificial or overpowering notes often associated with lower-quality waxes. Unlike beeswax candles, which naturally carry a mild honey aroma, soy candles offer a neutral base—allowing the fragrance blend to shine. If you’re looking for the best soy candles for aromatherapy or immersive ambiance, soy’s clean scent performance is a major draw.
Example: Soy wax makes the perfect palette for the delicate scents of sagebrush, red clay, and cactus in our High Hithmari Desert candle.
3. They’re cruelty-free and vegan
Because soy wax is derived entirely from plants, soy candles are 100% vegan and cruelty-free. While beeswax candles are natural, they’re still an animal byproduct, which makes them less appealing to shoppers committed to plant-based lifestyles. Choosing soy supports a shift toward renewable, ethical materials and reflects growing consumer interest in low-impact, animal-free home goods.
4. They’re affordable without sacrificing quality
Soybeans are widely grown and efficient to process, which keeps the cost of soy wax relatively low compared to other specialty waxes. That means soy wax candles often deliver the best combination of quality, performance, and affordability. Whether you burn candles daily or just enjoy them occasionally, soy offers a luxurious experience without the premium price tag often associated with beeswax candles or designer paraffin blends.
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What Are the Main Candle Wax Types?
For most of history, candles were made from materials like tallow or beeswax, but the modern candle industry has evolved dramatically. Most candle manufacturers now make candles from one of three primary waxes: soy wax, beeswax, and paraffin wax. Each wax type has different benefits, burn qualities, and sustainability considerations, which can influence how a candle performs in real-world use.
Beeswax
Beeswax is a natural wax created by worker honeybees and has been used for thousands of years for everything from candles to early forms of waterproofing. As one of the oldest and most traditional candle wax types, beeswax is prized for its long burn time and naturally clean flame. However, it’s typically more expensive than soy and paraffin, and it comes with a mild but distinct honey aroma that can overpower added fragrance oils. Many folks love beeswax candles for their purity, but those looking for a strong, customizable scent profile often prefer soy candles instead.
Paraffin wax
Paraffin wax is a petroleum-based wax produced as a byproduct of refining lubricating oils. It remains widely used because it’s inexpensive, easy to work with, and offers one of the strongest hot and cold scent throws of any candle wax. However, paraffin is not considered eco-friendly due to its fossil-fuel origins, and it can produce more soot compared to alternative types of candles. For fragrance lovers, paraffin candles have appeal—but environmentally conscious buyers often compare soy vs. paraffin candles and choose soy for its cleaner burn and renewable origins.
Soy wax
Soy wax is a plant-based wax made from hydrogenated soybean oil, offering one of the most sustainable and clean-burning options on the market. Created in 1991, soy candles quickly became popular for their long burn time, low soot production, and excellent ability to hold fragrance without chemical harshness. As one of the most affordable and environmentally friendly candle wax types, soy wax has become the preferred choice for many people seeking healthier, toxin-reduced home fragrance products.
Learn more: How to Care for Soy Wax Candles
Key Differences Between Soy, Beeswax, and Paraffin Candles
Soy wax, beeswax, and paraffin wax candles differ in more ways than their composition. Here are a few key differences between these wax types and how they compare.
Burn time
Burn times for these wax types vary pretty significantly. Soy wax burns slower than paraffin wax, but faster than beeswax. Beeswax burns the longest of all three, making these candles the most cost-efficient over time. Paraffin wax burns fairly quickly, making it a less economical choice than the others.
Clean burning
Beeswax candles are the cleanest burning, and they’re known to emit negative ions that help purify the air. Paraffin wax candles, on the other hand, produce the most soot and can release harmful toxins in the air when burned. Soy wax candles produce minimal soot and burn cleanly, representing a happy medium between beeswax and paraffin wax.
Scent throw
Paraffin wax has the strongest scent throw of the wax types, making it a popular choice for scented candles. But soy wax candles also have a generous scent throw, and they hold fragrance very well over time. Beeswax candles smell naturally like honey, which can interfere with the actual scent of the candle.
You can see (or smell) how well soy wax holds fragrance by burning Realm of Shadows, a seductive and umbral combination of pomegranate, wet slate, and star anise.
Learn more: Designing Realm of Shadows
Environmental impact
Soy wax candles are some of the best in terms of environmental impact. Soy wax is biodegradable, sustainable, and made from a renewable resource (soy beans). Beeswax candles are, of course, natural and sustainable as well, but they rely on bee farming. Paraffin wax is, unfortunately, non-renewable, contributing to pollution and carbon emissions since it is derived from fossil fuels.
Cost and availability
Paraffin wax, beeswax, and soy wax candles can vary widely in price based on the way they’re produced. Paraffin wax candles are generally the cheapest option available, most commonly used in mass-market candles. Beeswax candles are the most expensive due to the natural and methodical production process. Soy wax candles are the best in terms of price and are widely available thanks to the sustainable way the wax is produced.
How to Choose the Right Candle Type For You
When selecting the perfect candle, the type of wax plays a crucial role in burn time, scent throw, environmental impact, and cost. Here’s a breakdown of soy, beeswax, and paraffin candles to help you decide which is best for your needs.
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Soy Wax Candles |
Beeswax Candles |
Paraffin Wax |
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Pros |
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Cons |
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Best for |
Best for people who want a cleaner-burning, sustainable, and budget-friendly candle. |
Best for people who prefer an all-natural, hypoallergenic, and air-purifying candle. |
Best for people who prioritize strong fragrance throw and affordability over eco-friendliness. |
Frequently Asked Questions About Soy, Beeswax & Paraffin Candles
Are soy candles actually better for you?
Soy candles are generally considered a healthier option because they burn cleaner and produce significantly less soot than paraffin. They’re made from soybean oil, a renewable resource, and are often blended with natural fragrances. While “better” depends on what you value—clean burn, sustainability, or scent throw—soy candles are a strong all-around choice for everyday use.
Do paraffin candles release harmful chemicals?
Paraffin wax is petroleum-derived, and studies show it can release trace amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) when burned. The levels are usually low, but they can still contribute to indoor air pollution, especially in small or poorly ventilated rooms. If your priority is minimizing soot and chemical byproducts, soy or beeswax are the safer picks.
Is beeswax the healthiest candle option?
Beeswax is often praised as the “cleanest” burning wax because it produces almost no soot and may even help neutralize odors in the air. It’s also naturally drip-resistant and long-burning. However, it has a mild natural scent and doesn’t hold added fragrance as strongly as soy—which may matter if you love scented candles as much as we do.
Are soy candles environmentally friendly?
Yes! Soy is renewable, biodegradable, and typically more eco-friendly than paraffin. But the sustainability of any candle depends on more than the wax: wick type, dye choices, packaging, and fragrance oils also matter. Brands using cotton wicks, phthalate-free fragrances, and recyclable packaging create the most environmentally responsible option.
Can soy candles cause allergies or headaches?
Pure soy wax is unlikely to trigger allergies. However, fragrance sensitivity varies widely, and any candle—soy, beeswax, or paraffin—can cause headaches in people who react strongly to certain fragrance components. Look for candles made with clean-burning, phthalate-free fragrance oils to minimize irritation.
Do soy candles last longer?
Yes. Soy wax burns at a lower temperature than paraffin, which means soy candles often last 30–50% longer for the same size jar. Beeswax lasts even longer due to its density and high melting point.
What should I look for in a high-quality soy candle?
Choose candles made with:
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100% soy wax or high-soy blends (avoid paraffin-heavy “soy blends”)
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Cotton or wood wicks
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Clean, phthalate-free fragrance oils
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Transparent ingredients listed clearly by the maker
This ensures a clean, safe, and long-lasting candle you can feel good about burning.
Handmade Soy Wax Candles to Enrich Every Atmosphere
When comparing soy, beeswax, and paraffin candles, soy wax consistently stands out as the best all-around option. It offers the ideal balance of clean burning, environmental sustainability, long burn times, and rich scent throw—without the drawbacks of petroleum-based paraffin or the premium cost of beeswax. That’s why Cantrip Candles uses 100% soy wax for all our D&D-inspired candles!
If you’re looking to upgrade your space with high-quality, immersive fragrances crafted from clean-burning soy wax, Cantrip Candles has you covered. Explore our full collection of hand-poured soy candles inspired by fantasy worlds, magical moments, and tabletop adventures.
Ready to experience the best soy candles for yourself?
Shop our collection of soy wax candles today →
Want to learn how to make soy wax candles? Check out our event calendar to see when our next Candle Making Classes are going to be!
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