Beeswax vs Soy vs Paraffin: What’s Really in Your Candle?
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🕯️ Beeswax vs Soy vs Paraffin: What’s Really in Your Candle?
Not all candles are created equal. While they may all look and smell lovely, the wax you burn matters - for your health, your home, and the environment.
At Nambi Home, we believe in transparency and clean living. Whether you’re already passionate about natural products or just beginning your low-tox journey, this guide will help you understand the differences between beeswax, soy, and paraffin candles - so you can make informed, intentional choices.
🐝 Beeswax Candles: The Natural Purifier
What it’s made from:
Beeswax is a completely natural substance made by honeybees. It’s harvested sustainably alongside honey and doesn’t require chemical processing.
Health impact:
- Non-toxic and hypoallergenic
- Naturally releases negative ions, which bind to dust, pollen, mold, and toxins - purifying the air
- Burns clean with little to no smoke or soot
Environmental impact:
- Fully biodegradable and renewable
- Harvested as part of sustainable beekeeping practices
- Often used unscented or with pure essential oils
Burn quality:
- Longest burn time of any wax
- Subtle, sweet honey aroma
- Beautiful golden flame with a steady glow
✅ Best choice for clean air, slow living, and sustainability.
🌱 Soy Candles: A Plant-Based Alternative
What it’s made from:
Soy wax is derived from hydrogenated soybean oil - a renewable resource. While it’s natural in origin, soy wax typically undergoes chemical processing to become a solid wax.
Health impact:
- Cleaner burning than paraffin
- May still contain additives or fragrance oils (check the label)
- Good low-tox option when paired with essential oils
Environmental impact:
- Biodegradable and renewable, but commercial soy farming may involve pesticides and deforestation
- Still far more sustainable than petroleum-based waxes
Burn quality:
- Burns slower than paraffin, but faster than beeswax
- Holds fragrance well
- White or cream-colored wax with a soft, even melt pool
✅ A good mid-ground for those wanting a plant-based, cleaner option.
🛢️ Paraffin Candles: The Conventional Choice
What it’s made from:
Paraffin wax is a byproduct of petroleum refining. It’s inexpensive and widely used in mass-produced candles.
Health impact:
- Releases VOCs (volatile organic compounds) like toluene and benzene when burned
- Can irritate airways, especially for people with asthma or sensitivities
- Often heavily fragranced with synthetic oils and colored with artificial dyes
Environmental impact:
- Non-renewable and contributes to fossil fuel use
- Not biodegradable
- Often manufactured with limited sustainability oversight
Burn quality:
- Fast burning
- Can produce black soot and smoke
- Scent throw is often strong but artificial
⚠️ Best avoided if you care about air quality and sustainability.
🔍 Candle Wax Comparison
| Feature | Beeswax | Soy | Paraffin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Origin | Yes (animal-based) | Yes (plant-based) | No (petroleum-based) |
| Air-Purifying | Yes | No | No |
| Toxin-Free Burn | Yes | Mostly | No |
| Biodegradable | Yes | Yes | No |
| Renewable | Yes | Yes | No |
| Burn Time | Longest | Medium | Short |
| Soot & Smoke | Minimal | Low | High |
| Cost | Higher | Medium | Low |
💛 What We Offer at Nambi Home
We create hand-rolled pure beeswax candles for their unmatched air-cleansing properties and gentle glow, as well as natural soy candles for a lower-cost, clean-burning option that supports your low-tox lifestyle.
No artificial fragrances. No hidden toxins. Just natural light and intention.
🛒 Explore our collection at nambihome.com.au