Did you know that beeswax candles can be traced all the way back to the Middle Ages? Earlier cultures relied on animal fat to make their candle wax, but beeswax was introduced in Europe during this period and changed the quality of candle wax forever.
In today’s day and age, there are candles made from all sorts of material. Some of the most popular, however, are candles made from soy and beeswax. Check out Match Fragrance for a fresh option of soy candles.
People have trouble resolving the debate of soy vs. beeswax candles. Keep reading to hear the facts about each and decide for yourself.
The Ingredients in These Candles
When pitting soy wax vs. beeswax it’s important to know what makes each candle different. These two candles have very different ingredients and which you prefer depends on what you like the most.
Beeswax candles have been in existence for a long time. Beeswax can be found in the honeycombs where bees make their honey after pollinating flowers. The wax is a material that the bees create themselves.
Soy wax is essentially made from soybean oil, the same way tofu is made. Soybean oil is often mixed with other types of vegetable oils, so these candles are never made from pure soy.
The Environmental Footprint of Soy and Beeswax
Most people these days care about how they treat the planet. One way people try to minimize a negative environmental impact is through the products they buy.
Although soy is definitely a better alternative than a lot of candles on the market, it still has a huge negative impact on the environment. The production of soybeans is responsible for the destruction of many important natural environments, many of the world’s rainforests included.
Beeswax has a significantly smaller ecological footprint than soy wax. Bees create beeswax for the honeycombs in which they produce their honey, this wax is naturally occurring. Removing the beeswax from their combs in no way harms the bees or their production of honey.
The Pesticides Found in Waxes
The debate on beeswax vs. soy wax rages on when the topic turns to pesticides and GMOs. Soy is a genetically modified organism that has been altered in a lab to become resistant against many types of pesticides. This way farmers are able to spray soybean plants with pesticides to kill any weeds or pests without killing the plants.
Beeswax, on the other hand, is not modified in any way because it comes directly from bees. Beeswax is less likely to be exposed to pesticides of any kind.
The Process Each Wax Goes Through
As you can probably guess, soy has to go through a lengthy chemical process to be turned into wax for a candle. The first step in the process includes bleaching the soybean oil and scenting it to give it a pleasant smell. Bleach and artificial scents can release toxic chemicals when burned, this is something to keep in mind if you decide to buy a soy wax candle.
Beeswax doesn’t need any additional chemical process to be turned into a candle. It doesn’t need any type of artificial scent to produce a pleasant smell.
The Brightness of Soy Candles vs. Beeswax Candles
How bright the flame of a candle shines is an important factor to consider. Soy candles will often emit white light, like the light from your phone screen.
The light from a beeswax candle will always be much brighter than the one from a soy candle. It resembles natural light from the sun more closely than any other candle.
So remember soy candles have a cool tone light while beeswax candles have a warmer and brighter one.
Always Consider How Long Each Candle Lasts
When you buy a candle, you hope it will last you for some time. Beeswax is very dense and this usually allows the candle to last for a long time.
Soy candles, on the other hand, are not as dense so they’re more likely to burn out in less time. Sometimes, soy is mixed with paraffin (a toxic material) in an attempt to make the candle denser, but this doesn’t make the candle burn any slower.
Allergies Can Become a Concern
People with allergies may have to avoid buying candles because of their sensitivities. So knowing which candles can irritate allergies is incredibly important.
Soy wax candles will often contain a mixture of chemicals that will release soot into the air. This can be really harmful to those who suffer from allergies and, so, avoiding soy wax candles is the best decision to make.
Beeswax candles can actually help with allergies. When beeswax is burned, it releases negative ions that rid the area of common allergens like dust and mold. So it’s highly recommended to those with allergies to purchase beeswax candles.
Price Might Be a Factor to Consider
We all have financial responsibilities that lead us to try to save where we can. The price might be an important factor when buying your candles, but try to keep some of the following points in mind.
Soy candles will always be cheaper than beeswax but, as discussed throughout this blog, soy candles have a lot of negative qualities. Burning soy wax candles come with the risk of upsetting allergies and releasing toxic substances into the air.
While beeswax candles come with a higher price, you can’t put a price on quality. This type of candle is made from completely natural ingredients and doesn’t harm the environment in any way.
The Fight of Soy vs. Beeswax Candles Has a Winner
Although it’s up to you which candle you’ll end up buying, there’s a clear winner in the fight of soy vs. beeswax candles. There are clearly more benefits to purchasing a beeswax candle for your health and for the environment. Which will you choose?
Make sure to check out some of our other blogs to learn more.
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