Scented candles are an integral part of the modern interior and their popularity is only growing. They give the space a personal touch and create a special atmosphere with their scent and light. It's an easy way to revive your home with pleasant smells and make it cozy.
What kind of wax are they made of?
Types of scented candles wax
There are many types of wax, each with its own unique characteristics, charm and personality. The most common are soy wax, coconut wax, palm wax, beeswax and paraffin.
And the most commonly used wicks are: cotton, linen, silk, wooden and synthetic fabric.
Soy wax candles: a gentle plant-based option
Soy wax is extracted from soybean oil by hydrogenation. This produces white wax shavings that are used by candle makers, melting them and mixing them with aromatic oils. It is a popular choice in candle making due to its low cost.
Soy wax candles feature a weaker fragrance throw compared to the other types of wax, so this wax is often blended with other types of wax (coconut, palm or paraffin).
Coconut wax candles: an eco-friendly and luxurious option
When you want luxury, but your conscience speaks of ecology — these candles are your pick. Coconut wax is obtained from coconut oil, which in turn is cold-pressed from the coconut fruit.
This wax blends perfectly with aromatic oils, so coconut wax candles smell natural, but at the same time feature a stronger fragrance punch.
Beeswax candles: a natural and healthy choice
Beeswax is a completely natural byproduct of honey production. Therefore, if collected responsibly and with proper care, it does not have a negative impact on the bee colony in the hive: the bees rebuild and fill the hive with honey.
Natural yellow beeswax has a sweet honey scent, but not strong enough to fill a large space. Also, this wax doesn't mix particularly well with aromatic oils, so it's not a perfect choice for making scented candles.
Paraffin candles: a common but poor choice
Paraffin wax is a soft, colorless solid obtained from petroleum. It is widely used in candle making, cosmetics and other applications. Its main advantage is the price, which is why the inexpensive candles found in most stores are made of paraffin.
However, when burning such candles, harmful substances are released into the home environment, so we do not recommend using such candles.
Also, the melting point of paraffin is quite high, so most aromatic oils evaporate before they even have a chance to mix with the wax during the candle making process. When burning these candles, the smell may seem "synthetic", fake.
Find your perfect scent
When choosing a scent, it is important to consider what you like, the mood and the effect you would like to create. Would you like your home to smell like a garden after the rain, or like a cozy wooden cabin in the forest?
There are so many options that sometimes you can forget that smell is not taste.
