Feeling lost among the different types of wax and their uses? Here is everything that matters for your homemade scented candles.
Wax is the main component of your candle, and choosing the right one is vital to the success of your creations. Each wax has unique characteristics that are essential to understand.
These guides will help you understand how each one works, but also avoid the problems you may come across when making your creations, or clean up wax stains. If you'd like to know the specific features and uses of a particular product, take a look at the product pages for our Cargill, Kerax and other waxes.
Our wax guides
The different types of candle wax
Terre de Bougies offers 3 categories of wax and 1 category of additives. They differ widely, and each is more or less suited to what you want to create.
You often hear the term “natural wax”, but in reality it only applies to beeswax. Plant-based waxes, although they come from natural sources, have to be processed before they can be used in candle making. As a result, they cannot be considered “natural” in the strict sense of the word.
Plant-based waxes made from raw materials of natural origin
We offer a selection of high-quality, environmentally friendly plant-based waxes. They are made from natural oils such as soy, rapeseed, olive or coconut.
- Soy wax delivers excellent fragrance throw, whatever creation you have in mind. In our view, it's the best wax for container candles. It also works well for moulded candles and scented wax melts.
- Rapeseed wax has a long lifespan that suits all kinds of creations, but it's mostly used for moulded candles and wax melts. Its low melting point has many advantages, although it's trickier to get beautiful results with it.
- Olive wax is derived from olive oil. It's the ideal wax for making glossy scented wax melts and moulded candles.
- Coconut wax is a plant-based wax obtained by hydrogenating coconut oil. Made up of around 90% saturated fatty acids, it has a smooth surface and a characteristic glossy white colour. In candle making, it improves the burn by ensuring an even melt.
- Palm wax is an interesting alternative for making long-burning moulded candles. When demoulding, the wax releases cleanly from the mould. Stearin comes from a blend of fats and is obtained by fractionating the solid components of processed palm oil.
- Made from sunflower oil, sunflower wax is rich in essential fatty acids and vitamins.
Mineral waxes such as paraffin
Topping the bill among mineral waxes is the famous paraffin wax and its gel derivative. Derived from petroleum, it has long been used to make scented candles because it offers the best fragrance throw.
Easy for anyone to work with (much to the delight of beginners), it's often found in mass-produced candles, but its origin raises environmental questions. This wax isn't necessarily more toxic than any other: only its origin makes it a less responsible choice.
Animal waxes such as beeswax
Beeswax is the natural animal wax par excellence. Secreted by bees, it lets you make natural unscented moulded candles as well as votive candles. It's also widely used in cosmetics and as an additive in soaps or scented candles, improving the fragrance throw and the shine of the wax. Its unique scent will also enhance an unscented creation.
Additives improve the properties of your blends
Wax additives include plant-based stearin and stabilisers.
Stearin is a palm-based fatty acid that can be used on its own or alongside a soy wax, for example. It makes it easy to colour your creations and can significantly extend the life of your candle, thanks to the higher melting point that comes with its opacifying effect as the acid burns.
Stabilisers, for their part, help to homogenise or stabilise your creation. The BE60 homogeniser binds the oil in your scented candle, optimising the burn rate, while the CS 6000 stabiliser protects your candle against temperature changes thanks to its antioxidant properties.
Tips for working with and storing your wax
By following these simple steps, you'll ensure the best possible quality for your candles, from making them to storing them.
Before pouring your wax into your container
For a flawless result, make sure you prepare your containers or moulds properly:
- Thoroughly clean your containers or moulds to remove any dust or residue.
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Gently warm your containers or moulds before pouring in the wax. This improves adhesion and minimises the risk of cracks.
For a flawless finish
For a perfectly smooth surface, once your candles have fully set, you can gently heat the top. This removes small imperfections and gives them a neat finish.
Storing your wax
To protect your future creations, follow these recommendations:
- Store your wax in an airtight box or bag to protect it from the air.
- Keep it away from direct light, heat and humidity, which could affect its quality.
- Keep it on a surface slightly raised off the floor to prevent it from absorbing moisture or becoming contaminated.
Conclusion
Mastering candle making starts with a good understanding of waxes and their characteristics. With this guide, you'll be better equipped to choose the wax that suits your projects, whether your priority is eco-responsibility, aesthetics or practicality.
Read our next article to find out more about specific aspects of soy wax for candles.
