PLANT OIL
Soy Wax
A renewable, plant-derived candle wax pressed from soybeans, chosen for a cleaner, slower burn than traditional paraffin.
Source
Hydrogenated soybean oil
Used for
Candle wax
How it works
Soy wax is made by hydrogenating oil from the soybean, Glycine max, into a solid, slow-melting wax suited to candle-making. Unlike paraffin, a petroleum by-product, it comes from a renewable crop and is fully biodegradable.
Compared side by side with paraffin candles, soy-based candles burn at a slower, more controlled rate, which is where soy wax gets its reputation as a longer-lasting, cleaner-burning candle material.
For the best burn, trim the wick to around 5mm before each lighting and allow the first burn to reach a full melt pool across the surface, which helps prevent tunnelling later on. Burn for no more than a few hours at a time, keep away from drafts, and discontinue use once around 1cm of wax remains at the base.
Compared side by side with paraffin candles, soy-based candles burn at a slower, more controlled rate, which is where soy wax gets its reputation as a longer-lasting, cleaner-burning candle material.
For the best burn, trim the wick to around 5mm before each lighting and allow the first burn to reach a full melt pool across the surface, which helps prevent tunnelling later on. Burn for no more than a few hours at a time, keep away from drafts, and discontinue use once around 1cm of wax remains at the base.
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Renewable and biodegradable, unlike petroleum-derived paraffin
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Burns at a slower, more controlled rate in independent testing
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The basis of every Enrichment candle
Questions
What is soy wax?
Soy wax is hydrogenated soybean oil: oil from soybeans that has been hardened by hydrogenation into a solid wax. Candle makers call it soywax and use it as a renewable and biodegradable alternative to paraffin wax.
How does soy wax compare with paraffin?
A laboratory study burned candles made from soy wax and paraffin under controlled conditions. The soy wax candles burned significantly more slowly than the paraffin ones and needed less air. Paraffin candles produced a considerable amount of soot, while little or none was seen from soy wax. (Rezaei et al., 2002)
Is hydrogenated soybean oil also used in skincare?
Yes. Listed as Hydrogenated Soybean Oil, it is also a cosmetic ingredient. The European cosmetic ingredient database describes it as soybean oil treated with hydrogen and lists functions including skin conditioning, emollient and controlling the thickness of a formula. (COSMILE Europe)
About the plant
Soy wax starts with the soybean, Glycine max, a legume that was domesticated in China some 4,000 to 9,000 years ago. Its wild ancestor is believed to be Glycine soja, a related legume native to central China. (Canadian Food Inspection Agency)
The beans are an oil crop, and that oil is hardened by hydrogenation to produce the solid wax that candle makers call soywax. (Canadian Food Inspection Agency; Rezaei et al., 2002)
The beans are an oil crop, and that oil is hardened by hydrogenation to produce the solid wax that candle makers call soywax. (Canadian Food Inspection Agency; Rezaei et al., 2002)
The research
- Rezaei K., Wang T. & Johnson L.A., "Combustion characteristics of candles made from hydrogenated soybean oil," Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society, 2002;79:803-808 (opens in a new tab)
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency. The Biology of Glycine max (L.) Merr. (Soybean), Biology Document (opens in a new tab)
- COSMILE Europe (Cosmetics Europe) cosmetic ingredient database: Hydrogenated Soybean Oil (functions: skin conditioning, emollient, humectant, viscosity controlling) (opens in a new tab)
