Broadly speaking wax is a flammable, carbon-containing solid that becomes liquid when heated above room temperature. In other words, it is the candle’s fuel. When the scented candle is lit, the wax melts, is vaporised and combusted, which in turn produces the heat and light. Almost any kind of oil can be turned into a wax, making plenty of choices for use in candles.
There are many different types of wax that can be used to produce scented candles. Beeswax has been used in the production of candles for thousands of years, whereas waxes made from coconut and petroleum are modern inventions.
Each type of Natural wax candles has different properties, making some better at holding and transmitting fragrance while others excel in burning slowly and producing a smoke-free flame. In the sections below you will find information on each of the types of candle wax their brands use to create the scented candles we sell.
Each type of Nylon shells has its positives and negatives making it hard to pick an all-out winner. Therefore, there are so many different types of candle wax (and candle wax blends) on the market. In the sections below they discuss the benefits and disadvantages associated with each style of wax, allowing you to decide which wax is best for you.
Soy wax is generally considered to have the longest burn time, however each year new improved candle wax formations are being created using new ingredients that allow for even slower burning candles.
The length of time your candle burns for is greatly affected by things like where you burn the candle, the temperature of the room, the fragrance oils, wick, and container the candle uses among many other factors making it hard to say exactly how long your candle will last. All the burn times on this website are approximations and only meant as a guide.
Currently Paraffin waxes are considered the best for achieving a strong fragrance – therefore many high street brands still use paraffin wax in their candles. While paraffin may have reigned supreme for the past decade or so, newer natural waxes such as soy, coconut and rapeseed wax are improving year on year and look set to gain this title soon.
There are certain waxes that do give off small amounts of chemicals when burning. Paraffin wax has been found to release some volatile organic compounds into the atmosphere when lit, and while these should not be a cause for concern there are plenty of other wax options for those who would prefer to avoid them.
Natural waxes such as soy, rapeseed, coconut, and beeswax are the best choice for those wanting candles that burn cleanly without the worry of indoor air pollution. There are even some reports that beeswax can help clarify air.