Over the last few years, we’ve become increasingly aware of the problems with some of our favorite home products. With new research, we were all shocked to find our cosmetics, cleaning products, and even home fragrances were actually laced with endocrine disruptors, carcinogens, and tons of other toxins and chemicals. It was overwhelming for all of us at first, but one-by-one we’ve all been taking steps to find alternatives to our must-have products.
One of our favorite products we were all sad to see go? Candles. Everyone likes a home that smells fresh, pleasant, and clean but conventional paraffin candles are anything but that in reality. Sure, potpourri and diffusers can help naturally fragrance your home, but nothing quite has an impact like a candle. It’s not just the stronger scent, but the aesthetic and atmosphere, too. It’s also way faster to light a candle than assemble a simmer pot!
Luckily, there is an alternative to traditional paraffin candles that still lets you enjoy the mood and the bold scents without the chemicals and toxins and they’re soy candles. In this post, we’ll be discussing what soy candles are and why they’re a much better choice for your home if you’re as passionate about living a non-toxic lifestyle as we are.
What Are The Benefits of Soy Wax Candles?
With so much greenwashing out there, it’s hard to know when an alternative product is actually better for you, and when it’s all just hype and marketing fluff. So, when you’re investigating a new clean product like soy candles, it’s a good idea to get a full understanding of what the candles are, how they’re made, and how they’re really better than the other stuff out there.
So, before you buy, here’s what you should know about soy candles:
What Is A Soy Wax Candle?
A soy wax candle is a candle made from natural, plant-based sox wax derived from the oil of soybeans. They’re a non-toxic alternative to paraffin wax candles that gives you the fragrance you’re looking for without toxins and chemicals.
What Are Soy Wax Candles Made Of?
As we mentioned, soy candles are made from soybeans. The soybeans are harvested, cleaned, cracked, and then rolled into flakes. After that the oil is extracted and hydrogenated, which just means the oil is turned from a liquid into solid wax by adding hydrogen.
After that, the wax is melted and essential oils are added at just the right temp. Then, the cotton wick is placed in the bottom of the container the candle will be sold in. And, finally, the hot wax is poured into the container to harden. After that, it’s ready for your home!
Are Soy Wax Candles Safe?
Yes! If you’re thinking, “I’ve heard of hydrogenated oils, and those are not good for you,” you’re partially right. Hydrogenated oils in food are not good. They contain trans fats and are often used in processed foods. So, no, you don’t want to eat hydrogenated oils but they’re great for candles!
Burning hydrogenated oils in candles is super safe, because it’s non-toxic, biodegradable, and cleaner burning. You don’t need to worry about those trans fats when they’re being burned by a non-toxic cotton wick.
5 Soy Wax Candle Benefits
Sustainable
Sox wax is a natural ingredient that’s totally eco-friendly. It’s a biodegradable and renewable resource. Harvesting soy also has a lower carbon footprint when compared to paraffin candles (which are petroleum-based), because soybeans absorb CO2 to offset any emissions plus, soybeans can be sourced locally by American farmers, cutting down on transportation emissions.
Non-Toxic and Clean Burning
Soy wax candles with essential oils and cotton wicks have no harmful additives or synthetic chemicals. That means no carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, or any of the other bad stuff. It’s one of the biggest benefits of soy wax candles.
In addition to sox candles being toxin-free, soy wax burns at a lower temperature and more evenly than paraffin candles. So, soy candles produce less soot and smoke to maintain indoor air quality. The cleaner burning candle also means no residue (neither toxic or non-toxic) from the candle building up the walls and furniture and lower risk for respiratory irritation from the candle.
Longer Burn Time
The burn time on soy candles is 25-50% longer than paraffin candles. This is because they have a lower melting point than paraffin wax candles. Soy wax also burns more evenly, so you don’t have to worry about tunneling down the middle, leaving the wax on the sides unused and wasted.
Stronger (But More Natural) Fragrance
Soy wax candles have a stronger, longer-lasting scent over conventional paraffin wax, even though the fragrance is more natural. Why? Because the vegetable-based structure of soy wax is great at absorbing and locking in scent molecules. Plus, the slower, cooler burns means fragrances don’t burn off too quickly. If all that wasn’t enough, soy wax is so good at holding scent, it even emits fragrance when it’s not lit.
Cost Effective
If you look at the price tag on soy wax candles, they are often more expensive. However, they’re actually more cost effective despite the higher price because soy wax offers a way longer burn time when compared to paraffin candles. When you also consider the stronger scent and the non-toxic formula, the price is well worth it.
Aromatherapy Boosts
All we’ve discussed so far are all the benefits of the wax itself. However, the essential oils used in the soy wax candles also have their own benefits. In The Skinny Confidential’s Non-Toxic Candle, we include eucalyptus essential oil.
Here are just some of the aromatherapy benefits of eucalyptus essential oil, but each essential oil will have its own gains:
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Improve breathing by opening your sinuses
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Calm allergies
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Cleanse and deodorize your home due to its antimicrobial properties
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Repel insects
The Best Soy Wax Candle
The best soy wax candle out there (we might be biased) is The Skinny Confidential’s Non-Toxic Candle. Of course, it’s all-natural, organic, and has a totally clean formula, but it also has a relaxing, grounding eucalyptus scent and a 42 hour burn time.
You can get yours at The Skinny Confidential Shop. We recommend opting for the subscription option where you can save 20% on every candle order and get the Non-Toxic Candle shipped monthly to your home. That way, you can enjoy a clean, refreshing fragrance and beneficial spa-like atmosphere in your home totally hassle-free, all month long.
Soy wax candles are better in every way it’s time to make the switch.
Making the switch to soy candles is a simple, meaningful upgrade. You still get the enjoyable scent, the luxurious atmosphere, and the aromatherapy benefits but without the hidden toxins. It’s a cleaner, safer way to enjoy the rituals you love, with ingredients you can actually feel good about.
For more non-toxic products that’ll help you elevate your routine, browse The Skinny Confidential Shop. We’ve got skincare products, beauty tools, and wellness must-haves to help you transform the way you care for you and your family.
