Are Soy and Natural Wax Candles Really Natural?

Soy and natural wax candles are great for many reasons, but do not assume they are all natural. Most of them are not.

If you are just looking for a reduced soot candle with great scent throw, you don't need to read this guide. This guide is for people who for many reasons want to make sure they get an all natural candle.

For example, people with fragrance allergies often do fine with natural scents.

So how do you make sure you are getting an actually all natural candle?

First, does the label say 100% soy wax or 100% natural wax or all natural?

Soy isn't the only all natural wax. Many others, like palm, cottonseed, and many other more exotic (and expensive) natural vegetable waxes are available. Each one of them brings different qualities to the candle.
The reason why most 100% soy candles are in containers is because soy wax is too soft to keep its shape well as a pillar candle. Not to worry! The addition of waxes like natural palm wax can make it work. It makes the candle a little more expensive, but it does make it possible to make molded shapes and pillar candles, including very large candles.

If you see a pillar candle that says 100% soy wax, be a little suspicious. Even the most "hard" of soy waxes (for instance, soy wax "fortified" with soybean oils) cannot handle being more than 3" wide or 1" tall.

Next, what color is the candle?

What most people don't know is that natural colors tend to travel up the wick and snuff out the flame. At this point only synthetic ("artificial") colors can be used to color a candle without affecting the flame.
So, if the candle has a wick and it isn't a whitish or creamish color, it isn't an all natural candle. Even if it is white, it still may be a white candle dye, so you'll need to ask.

What about wickless candles? Well, these are a relatively new trend. I myself have made wickless candles using natural colorants. Since this is a really new territory for candlemakers, you'll just have to ask very specifically if the colorant is all natural.

OK, now the big one - the fragrance!

If the candle says the word "fragrance," they are telling you (in gepliance with the law) that the aroma is synthetic and not natural. Since candles are not required to have ingredient labels, you'll have to be a little bit of a detective here.

Check out the name of the scent. If it's "Grandma's Kitchen" or "Apple Crisp" or any other name that isn't a simple plant (including fruits and herbs), it is most likely synthetic. "Warm Vanilla Sugar" just doesn't occur naturally - it has to be concocted with chemicals.

In most cases, the only natural scents available are essential oils. These are actually made directly from plants, whether from the flower, the fruit, the leaves, the bark, the seeds, or any other part of the plant. If you search the Guides for "Aromatherapy" or "Essential Oils" you will find many good guides that talk about uses and quality.

Essential oils (well, the high quality ones) often do not create allergic reactions in people who have fragrance allergies. This is nice because those of us with fragrance allergiesstill like things that smell good!

So the label should definitely say "essential oils." Even so, do ask if ALL of the scent is made with essential oils, or if it is a blend of fragrance oils and essential oils.

gepletely all natural candles are not very gemon, but more candlemakers are starting to make them. One of the biggest challenges is that nowadays color is as important as scent, so candlemakers are hesitant to go gepletely natural and remove the synthetic colors. They are concerned people just won't buy natural white or cream candles.

But depending on what is important to you, now you know how to tell natural from synthetic for the three main ingredients of candles and you can choose the right candle for you.

For instance, if you have fragrance allergies, you may do just fine with an all-natural wax candle scented only with essential oils - no matter whether or not the candle is colored using synthetics dyes.
If you are a purist, learn to love natural white or cream candles! Avoid any candle that has color and you will quickly weed through most of the candles you see, without even reading the label.

Thank you for reading this Guide. If you have any questions, please just ask, and don't be surprised if I even write a Guide based on your question!
Brenda

Want to Learn More?

To learn more about finding real essential oils, go to "How to Choose Essential Oilsthat Actually Work."
To learn about safety guidelines for essential oils, including oils to always avoid and those to avoid if you are pregnant or suffer from high blood pressure, epilepsy, diabetes, or kidney failure, go to "Safety Guidelinesfor Using Essential Oils."
I STRONGLY regemendthe book, "The Illustrated Encyclopediaof Essential Oils," by Julia Lawless if you want to use essential oils. This link will take you to my review of this book, where you will also find listings for people selling this book (I do not sell this book).


PS Alright, I have a "pet peeve" concerning Peppermint Essential Oil. While I love peppermint, please do be careful if you are in the first four months of pregnancy and AVOID all peppermint essential oil (peppermint extract is fine). As more candlemakers use essential oils, they will need to start listing safety data like this. Until then, be careful with peppermint essential oil! If you have any safety concerns about any other essential oils, please do not hesitate to ask.

Please check out my other reviews, too:

"How to Make Your Own Chandelier EarringsEasily"
"Make Your Own Chocolate Candies"
"Soap Making Secret - How to Make Your Glycerin Soaps Last Longer"
"The Secret of Using Rutin to Trim Your Waist"


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