Soy wax has become one of the most popular candle waxes in recent years. Primarily because of its natural origin, its excellent fragrance retention, and its biodegradability. This article explains what soy wax is, how it is produced, which types are available, and what to bear in mind when working with it.
At a Glance
- Made from hydrogenated soya oil – plant-based, vegan, and biodegradable
- Ideal for container candles in jars – not suitable for freestanding pillar candles (not drip-resistant)
- Typically holds 6–10 % fragrance oil depending on the scent – particularly well suited for scented candles
- Burns slowly, evenly, and with minimal soot
- Available as pure soy wax (C-3) or as a blend with palm wax (C-1)
What Is Soy Wax?
Soy wax is a white to pale beige, plant-based wax with a naturally pleasant, almost neutral scent. It is entirely plant-based, vegan, and 100% biodegradable.
Soy wax is produced primarily in the United States, where the majority of global soya production takes place. As a renewable raw material, it is an alternative to paraffin, which is a petroleum-derived product and is not biodegradable. In addition to pure soy wax, there are also blends with other natural waxes – for example with coconut or palm wax – which improve certain properties such as structural stability or texture.
How Is Soy Wax Made?
The starting material is soya oil, pressed from soya beans. Through hydrogenation, a chemical process in which hydrogen is introduced into the oil under pressure, the unsaturated fatty acids in the oil are converted into saturated ones. This causes the oil to solidify and take on its wax-like consistency.
Depending on the degree of hydrogenation and further processing, different types are produced: from soft container waxes with a low melting point to firmer variants for freestanding candles. The exact composition varies by manufacturer and production line.
Soy Wax Types Compared
We stock a range of soy wax types that differ in composition, melting point, and intended use. For scented candles in jars, NatureWax® C-3 is the most popular choice. The key differences at a glance:
| Type | Composition | Form | Suitable for | Key feature |
| 100% soya (USA) | Flakes & pastilles | Container candles, jars, tea lights | Bestseller – excellent glass adhesion, melting point 51–54 °C | |
| 100% soya, paraffin-free | Flakes | Container candles, also as an additive | Own brand, plastic-free packaging, melting point 51–54 °C | |
| Soya + palm wax (max. 30%) | Flakes | Container candles, wax melts | Releases from glass edge, minimal fat bloom, melting point 51–55 °C | |
| 100% soya (EU, GMO-free) | Pastilles | Container candles | European grown, vegan, drop point 51–55 °C | |
| Natural soy wax blend | Pastilles | Pillar candles, freestanding | The only soy wax for freestanding candles, melting point approx. 60 °C | |
| 100% plant-based, GMO-free, paraffin-free | Pastilles | Container candles, tea lights, wax melts | Silky-matt finish, strong scent throw, melting point approx. 46 °C | |
| Soya base | Pastilles | Wax blends | Ideal as a base for custom wax blends |
Advantages and Disadvantages of Soy Wax
Soy wax's greatest strengths lie in its sustainability and fragrance retention: it is plant-based, vegan, and biodegradable, burns slowly and with minimal soot, and can typically hold 6–10% fragrance oil depending on the scent. For container candles in jars, it is therefore one of the best options available.
Its limitations become apparent with freestanding candles: soy wax is too soft for pillar candles or taper candles and is sensitive to temperature fluctuations. Frosting – white streaks on the surface – can occur, particularly with dark colours. It does not affect burn performance, but is noticeable visually. For silicone moulds, a harder wax is usually needed as an additive.
Soy Wax vs. Paraffin – Which Is Better?
The choice between soy wax and paraffin depends on the intended use. Soy wax has a significantly better fragrance retention and releases scent more slowly and evenly – a decisive advantage for scented candles in jars. Paraffin is more structurally stable, less expensive, and better suited to freestanding candles such as taper or pillar candles.
The two waxes can also be blended: a combination of soy wax and paraffin brings together the fragrance retention of soy wax and the structural stability of paraffin. For a purely natural approach, rapeseed wax is also worth considering – grown regionally, biodegradable, and equally well suited for scented candles.
A full comparison of all candle waxes – paraffin, stearin, beeswax, rapeseed wax, and more – can be found in our article What Is Candle Wax Made Of? All Wax Types at a Glance.
Working with Soy Wax: Tips and Notes
Melting and Pouring
Soy wax is best melted in a water bath, bringing the temperature up steadily to 55–65 °C. Avoid stirring too vigorously – air bubbles introduced during stirring can show up later as holes or uneven surfaces in the finished candle. Add fragrance oils at around 55 °C and stir in gently. For more precise figures, refer to the individual product page.
Before pouring, ensure that the jars or tins are not too cold – they should be at room temperature at minimum. Pouring slowly and tapping the container gently on the work surface afterwards will help reduce any remaining air bubbles.
Cooling
Allow soy wax candles to cool slowly and evenly – do not place them in the fridge or take them outside into the cold. Cooling too quickly leads to cracks, uneven surfaces, and poor glass adhesion. Ideally, allow candles to cool at room temperature away from draughts.
Frosting
When cooled correctly and poured at the right temperature, soy wax produces little to no fat bloom (known as frosting or fat blooming) – a common phenomenon with pure natural waxes. With darker colours, the surface should be watched more closely, as frosting is more visually apparent. The burn performance of the candle is not affected by frosting.
First Burn
On the first burn, allow the candle to burn until the wax has melted fully to the edge of the jar. This prevents tunnelling and ensures the candle burns evenly afterwards. As a rule of thumb: approximately one hour per 2–3 cm of jar diameter. A wick that is too thin will not achieve this – wax residue will then always remain around the edge.
Note on Silicone Moulds and Pillar Candles
Pure soy wax is not drip-resistant and is therefore not suitable for freestanding pillar candles. For candles made in silicone moulds, a harder wax is usually required as an additive – for example a small proportion of stearin.
Frequently Asked Questions about Soy Wax
What is soy wax?
Soy wax is a plant-based wax made from hydrogenated soya oil. It is biodegradable, vegan, and has a melting point of approximately 46–54 °C. It is used primarily for container candles and scented candles, as it absorbs fragrance oils well and releases them slowly.
At what temperature do you pour soy wax?
Soy wax is ideally poured at 55–65 °C. Fragrance oils should be added at around 55 °C before pouring the wax into the containers. Jars should be at room temperature, not too cold.
What is the difference between soy wax and paraffin?
Soy wax is plant-based, biodegradable, and has an excellent fragrance retention. Paraffin is a mineral wax derived from petroleum – more rigid and less expensive, but not biodegradable. For scented container candles, soy wax is the better choice; for freestanding candles, paraffin is more stable.
Is soy wax suitable for pillar candles?
Most soy waxes are too soft for freestanding pillar candles. An exception is the Kerasoy 4120, which has been developed specifically for freestanding candles and is more structurally stable. All other soy waxes in our range are intended for candles in jars or containers.
What are the disadvantages of soy wax?
The main disadvantages are its soft consistency (not suitable for freestanding candles), sensitivity to temperature fluctuations, potential frosting with dark colours, and a slightly higher price compared to paraffin. With the right technique, most of these points can be managed well.
Summary
Soy wax is a versatile and sustainable choice for candle making, particularly for scented candles in jars. Its excellent fragrance retention, low-soot burn, and biodegradability make it the preferred base for many candle makers.
Those who want to try it out for the first time will find everything they need to pour their first candles in our DIY Soy Wax Box. All soy wax types mentioned here are available in our soy wax range.
