There are many reasons to love coconut wax candles. They are non-toxic, burn cleaner and slower, and are eco-friendly. But what exactly is coconut wax, and why is it such a great alternative to soy and paraffin wax candles? Keep reading to find out!
Paraffin wax has been the most popular wax for candles for many years for several reasons. It’s cheap, easy to work with, and has a high melting point which makes it ideal for candles. However, it is a petroleum product and releases toxins into the air when burned. This is a sentence which you have most likely heard soy wax candle makers use in their marketing language. But for us to truly understand this, it is important for us to know where paraffin wax actually comes from.
Paraffin wax is a by-product of the petroleum industry. It’s the sludge that’s left over after the crude oil has been refined into gasoline. This sludge is then cleaned and purified to make paraffin wax.
So, what’s the big deal with burning paraffin wax? Well, the problem is that when you burn paraffin wax, it releases toxins into the air. These toxins include toluene and benzene, which are known to cause cancer. The EPA has classified benzene as a carcinogen.
It’s not all bad news for paraffin wax though. Not all of the above has been scientifically proven. The information comes mostly from studies that have been carried out, so we don’t 100% know the extent that paraffin has on our health however, we don’t think it’s worth the risk.
Is soy wax a good alternative?
Now we know a bit more about Paraffin wax, let's discuss the second most popular candle wax - Soy wax.
Soy wax is made from soybeans and is a renewable resource. It’s also biodegradable and non-toxic*. Soy candles burn 30-50% longer than paraffin candles and produce far less soot. Sounds great, right? Let's look at the disadvantages of soy wax which lets it down.
So, what’s the downside of soy wax? The main issue with soy wax is that it is made from genetically modified crops. GMO crops are controversial because they are engineered in a lab using DNA from other plants, animals, viruses, or bacteria. These organisms would never be able to reproduce in the wild.
The long-term effects of GMOs are unknown, but there is evidence to suggest that they may cause health problems in humans. For example, a study in the journal Food and Chemical Toxicology found that rats fed a diet of GM soy had decreased fertility and increased breast cancer.
Why is Coconut Wax Good For Candles?
1. Sustainable and sourced from a natural process.
Coconut wax is produced by a cold process from the meat of the coconut and goes through a process called hydrogenation. There are no chemicals or solvents are used in the process. Which creates a fully renewable, sustainably sourced wax!
It is a renewable and high-yield crop which means fewer coconuts are needed to get a good amount of product. Making it one of the most eco-friendly waxes on the market. "A little goes a long way!" as they say!
2. Amazing Scent Throw!
Most, if not all, fragrances and essential oils blend incredibly well with coconut wax, which means it carries the scent beautifully well.
3. A Slow and Even Burn...
Coconut waxes burn slower and are cleaner than soy and paraffin waxes. This is due to the lower melting point of the coconut oil. This means they last longer (up to 50% in some cases), but the fragrance is also diffused more evenly and slowly over time, giving you a much more pleasant and relaxing experience!
4. Coconut Wax isn't a cause of Deforestation.
Like everything, growth in popularity tends to mean a mass-scale production of it– but thankfully, coconut wax isn't like many industries, such as the palm oil industry; the coconut industry has found a way to stop this problem and give the locals a chance to make a good living wage. The coconut farmers grow the coconut trees on their land, and they do not use pesticides, and they harvest the coconuts by hand.
5. Coconut Wax burns soot free...
Coconut wax candles burn soot-free. This is because the molecular structure of coconut oil is very different from the paraffin molecule. The paraffin molecule produces soot when it's burned, but the coconut oil molecule does not.
This is a huge advantage for people who are concerned about the health effects of burning candles. Burning soy and paraffin candles can release toxins into the air, but burning coconut wax candles will not.
6. It's a non-GMO product!
GMO means Genetically modified organisms. Most fruit and veg over the years have been somewhat genetically modified, but the coconuts are one of the very few left that has remained untouched. Nothing is added when producing coconut wax – not even pesticides are used whilst farming due to the hard protective exterior of coconuts that naturally ward off insects and wildlife.
So, that's why coconut wax is a great alternative in the use of candles! It has many benefits that other waxes don't, and it's a sustainable and eco-friendly option. We hope this has helped you understand the different types of wax and why we love coconut wax!
You can browse our whole collection of coconut wax candles here
