Most of us light a candle to unwind. To reset the day, soften the room, and breathe something lovely into the air. But behind that soft flicker lies a quiet question – what exactly are we burning? In the conversation around clean living and sustainability, soy vs paraffin wax candles is a topic worth pausing over.
Because while a candle is a simple pleasure, the wax it's made from carries stories – of origin, of craft, and of impact.
Let’s start with soy.
There’s a gentleness to soy wax that goes beyond its creamy texture. Born from the humble soybean, this natural wax begins in the fields, sun-soaked and rustling, before it’s transformed through careful pressing and hydrogenation. What you’re left with is a biodegradable, plant-based wax with a slow, even burn. One that produces far less soot than its paraffin counterpart. For those of us who’ve wiped black smudges off candle jars or noticed a dull headache after lighting certain kinds of candle, this matters.
The thing about natural wax candles is that they’re not just about what's not in them (no petroleum, no chemical residues) they’re about what they offer. A cleaner flame. A deeper sense of care. That subtle joy of knowing the candle dancing beside you is kinder to your air, your skin, your home.
Paraffin, on the other hand, is a different story.
A byproduct of crude oil refining, paraffin wax is abundant, efficient, and (let’s be honest) affordable. It’s why many mass-market candles use it. It’s easy to work with, delivers strong scent throw, and holds colour beautifully. But when it burns, it releases more than fragrance: benzene, toluene, and other volatile organic compounds can be part of the mix. And while some studies argue the levels are low, others urge caution, particularly in poorly ventilated rooms or for people with sensitivities.
It doesn’t help that paraffin wax isn't biodegradable. It lingers. In landfills, in homes, and sometimes in the air we breathe.
Still – there’s no denying its practicality. It holds scent well. It behaves predictably. It’s the backbone of many beloved brands. If a paraffin candle fills your space with a smell you adore, who’s to argue? The best wax for candles depends, sometimes, on the moment you’re trying to create.
So what makes soy worth the switch?
It's not just about sustainability (though that’s part of it). It’s the way soy burns – longer, steadier, cleaner. It whispers rather than shouts. Pair it with the right fragrance – say, candles with essential oils – and you get something truly special: depth without drama, warmth without weight.
Yes, soy can be a touch more expensive. And it might not throw scent across a room quite as quickly as paraffin. But for those who prefer a slow, evolving fragrance – a scent that rises, settles, and lingers in gentle waves – soy delivers. Many consider it the foundation of the best scented candles, particularly when paired with botanical oils that lift and unfold naturally.
And that’s where essential oil candles come into their own. At Huskke & Co, candles are crafted from soy wax blended with pure essential oils. A soft, honest fragrance that lingers like memory.
Of course, no wax is perfect.
Soy farming has its own complexities – land use, monocultures, pesticides. And paraffin, for all its environmental baggage, makes use of a byproduct that might otherwise go to waste. The truth is, neither wax is wholly innocent nor wholly guilty.
Which brings us back to this: when choosing the best wax for candles, perhaps it’s not just about stats and sources. Maybe it’s about intention. About what kind of experience you’re inviting in.
Some light candles to scent a room. Others light them to soothe their soul. If a bold paraffin fragrance makes you feel something good, so be it. If a slower, more sustainable soy candle aligns with your values, wonderful. Either way, you’re choosing something for you, and that’s always worth celebrating.
That said, in the quiet balance of soy vs paraffin wax candles, if your heart leans towards cleaner burning, mindful sourcing, and understated elegance, you might already know your answer. A flicker of nature over fuel. A whisper over a roar.
And if that sounds like your kind of moment, you’ll find it in our collection of soy wax candles – all hand-poured, beautifully fragranced, and ready to bring calm to your space.