Soy Wax Candles - Why Candles Made Out of Soy May Be the Healthy and Natural Alternative

Soy candles have many advantages over the more traditional paraffin candles. They were first offered to the public by a chain of stores known as The Body Shop. Even though they have only been around since the early 1990's, candles made out of soy have continued to grow in popularity. This is no accident; these candles are more inexpensive than ones made of other ingredients, they are natural, and they also distribute more scent into the surrounding atmosphere.

It turns out that beeswax costs about ten times as much as paraffin. In searching for a cheaper alternative, soy candle wax came to be developed. When vegetable wax was combined with partially hydrogenated soybean oil, coconut oil, and palm oil, the resulting mixture was soy wax. A final additive, beeswax, was the magic ingredient that created the mixture that is now known as soy wax. This is now the most economical way to make a natural wax candle.

These soy candles have a longer burning time than those made of paraffin and other blends. This is also the reason that less soot is produced when they burn. They burn with a smaller flame, which account for this longer burn time. Also, the wicks tend to be larger and more split. It turns out that this wax contains much larger molecules with a lower volatility. It is believed that this is the reason that soy will burn for longer periods of time.

You will want to make sure you have adequate ventilation in any room where you burn candles. Trimming the wick will keep the flame going for a longer time. Make sure you do not have too many candles burning simultaneously. All of these are safety tips that will allow you to enjoy your candles even more.

Soy candles are often scented with essential oils. These oils are taken from aromatic plants and intended to enhance both health and beauty. One of my favorite scents is lavender. Candles that are scented with lavender oil are supposed to increase the alpha waves in your brain, making it easier for you to relax. There are many more scents you can choose from.

You can make your own candles out of soy fairly easily, once you know how to do it. In fact, it is much easier to make these types of candles than those made out of paraffin. Flaked soy wax will be easier to use than block wax. You can combine soy candle wax with fragrance and dye to have just the right candle for you.