Wondering how to decide between coconut wax vs soy wax for candle making? Unsure which to try out first? Here are 7 key differences you should know to decide!
There’s been growing demands for coconut wax and soy wax in recent years thanks to their natural origins and sustainability traits. This is in comparison to traditional paraffin wax that is no longer the best choice. Small scale artisans and even large manufacturers are now largely into creating high-quality, environmentally friendly aromatherapy products – including candles!
In this article, I’ll be sharing seven key differences between coconut wax vs soy wax. Hopefully, you’ll be able to decide which type of wax is better for your candle making journey!
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Related Posts:
- 6 Things To Know Beeswax Candles vs Soy Candles
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- Pros and Cons of Coconut Wax Candles You Should Know
Coconut Wax vs Soy Wax: 7 Things To Know
1. Origins and Composition
The first thing to compare for waxes is what they are derived from. Both coconut wax and soy wax are made from renewable plant sources hence they are good options for consumers that are eco-conscious and vegan.
Coconut wax is made from the oil extracted from the meat of coconuts, while soy wax is derived from soybean oil. Both waxes undergo a process of hydrogenation, which transforms the liquid oils into solid wax at room temperature.
If you didn’t know, vegetable-based oils originates from various types of seeds, fruits, nuts, and grains. However, not all can be made into wax that’s suitable for candle making.
Concerned about allergies and sensitivities? You may want to avoid using soy wax as it can contain soy protein residues.
2. Texture and Appearance
The texture and appearance can also differ between coconut wax and soy wax. If you’re looking for a smoother creamier texture for your candles, coconut wax is a better option. Soy wax, on the other hand, can be slightly grainy and flaky in consistency.
For a more luxurious and polished look, coconut wax is preferred as it has a slightly glossy finishing when solidified. Soy wax has a matte appearance and you may need to do a little more to achieve an all smooth surface.
Even after burning, coconut candles are likely to return to a smooth surface, compared to soy candles that can be a little bumpy after each burn. Any inconsistencies can hardly be seen by a customer if you’re making a jar candle – especially if it’s a darker colored jar. A heat gun may be useful to melt any uneven dried surface and level out any bumps obvious at the top.
3. Scent Throw and Fragrance Retention
Another important aspect you should know about candle-making is the ability for a type of wax to hold fragrance and its scent throw – unless you’re making ones without scents.
Both coconut wax and soy wax are great for making fragrance candles or better known as ‘aromatherapy candles’. You can pair them with all kinds of scents including the usual vanilla, orange, eucalyptus, as well as floral and woody notes. This is unlike beeswax candles that are best for warm scents.
However, when comparing between the two, coconut wax has a more superior scent throw i.e. it releases fragrance oils more effectively when the candle is burned. This results in a stronger and more long-lasting aroma, so it is more preferred by consumers who loves scent intensity or want to use the candles in a larger space.
Soy wax, although not as potent as coconut wax in some cases, still offers good scent throw and fragrance retention. Hence soy candles require a lot more fragrance oil to achieve same effect as coconut candles. Regardless, they’re still widely used by candle-makers!
4. Burn Quality and Performance
The burn quality of candles depend largely on the melting point of their waxes. A lower melting point would mean that it requires a lower amount of heat to melt, vice versa.
As coconut wax has a lower melting point than soy wax, it is easier for it to melt. This also makes it unfavorable in hot summers as candles made of only coconut wax can bend (without you doing anything to it). To avoid such issues, candle makers may blend coconut wax with other types of wax for a stronger candle.
However, pure coconut candles has a longer burning time of about 10-15% more compared to soy candles. This results in a more even burn, which helps minimize tunneling and wax waste for consumers. Coconut candles generally burns cleanly and efficiently from start to finish.
Soy wax also burns evenly and cleanly, producing minimal soot and smoke when properly formulated and poured.
5. Environmental Sustainability
As both types of waxes are sustainable alternatives to paraffin wax, there isn’t much concerns on their impacts on environment. Candles made by coconut and soy waxes are petro-carbon soot free hence they do not emit soot particles unlike traditional paraffin candles.
Both candles are great for use in your home and even smaller spaces. As long as they are properly ventilated, coconut and soy candles should not greatly affect the air quality that you breathe.
Check out: Are paraffin candles safe or bad for you?
6. Versatility and Compatibility
When deciding which type of wax to go with, you should also consider the types of candles you’re making and its use. Generally, different types of candles work best with different types of waxes.
Coconut wax and soy wax are highly versatile, making them a practical choice if you’re creating or selling a wide range of candle products. They adhere well to glass and other container materials so you don’t have to worry about selling them as container candles, pillar candles, and wax melts.
Preferences of each customer varies so you don’t want to be missing out with potential sales!
Both types of waxes are also compatible with a variety of wicks, fragrances, and dyes. As a candle maker, it’s easy to work with coconut wax and soy wax as you’re able to customize your candle creations to suit preferences of your target market – whether it’s for scents or aesthetics.
7. Cost Considerations
There is a lot more work involved in producing coconut wax and due to higher cost of raw materials, it is typically more expensive than soy wax. However, you may be able to charge accordingly if your target market allows and by justifying the higher price point with a premium candle product.
Soy wax is usually more affordable, making it a popular choice for budget-conscious candle makers. Consumers are also always looking for cheaper alternatives so there’s no surprise there.
Personally, I believe that people may also be less inclined to purchase coconut candles if they’re unaware of its superior characteristics. As a new seller, it may be easier to stay safe by focusing on soy candles but if you’re more adventurous, launching a coconut candle may also be a great marketing tactic.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Soy wax is cheaper than coconut wax as it is more accessible and takes less resources to produce. Although soy wax is more expensive than paraffin wax, it is still more affordable than coconut wax. This makes it ideal for candle makers looking for the right balance in costs.
A good coconut soy wax blend ratio is 70/30 or 50/50 to make a sturdier, stronger candle. This helps avoid candles with lower melting point such as pure coconut candles, to melt easily in hot weathers. You can also achieve a smoother candle and better scent throw by mixing different types of waxes.
Bottom Line
There are unique benefits to both coconut wax and soy wax. If you’re looking to create a more premium candle product that’s inline with your brand for the long term, you should try selling coconut candles.
Soy candles are widely available in the industry, even in retail markets so it may be tough to compete. Regardless, its affordability and versatility is still appealing to most candle makers.
Ultimately, the choice of coconut wax vs soy wax for candle making depends on you!
