What are natural candles and how to choose the best ones?

The natural trend is present in our lives on many levels - it applies to both food that we consciously choose from local suppliers, and we pay attention to the composition of what we eat. When choosing cosmetics, we are also guided by natural ingredients, we draw from the goodness of Mother Nature. It is no different in the case of our clothes, more and more often we choose, for example, bio cotton. In the case of scented candles, we can also go back to nature and consciously choose natural candles, as well as soy candles and natural scented candles.

Nowadays, there is more and more talk about ecology and returning to nature. For many years, striving for economic development, intensive exploitation of natural resources was carried out, which had a negative impact on the environment. Currently, we have both the knowledge and the ability to select products that are friendly to our planet.

What are natural candles and soy candles?

You often ask which candles are natural, how to recognize and choose them. Natural candles are candles made of natural plant waxes. Vegetable wax is, for example, pure soy or palm wax. It can also be a candle made of natural coconut wax. Often, manufacturers also use mixtures of natural plant waxes, e.g. soy and palm wax, because these mixtures have very good combustion parameters. Natural plant wax candles are environmentally friendly and sustainably produced. By choosing such candles, you contribute to the growing demand for natural products on a global scale.

Beeswax candles are sometimes included in the category of natural candles, but they are a raw material of animal origin, so they will not necessarily be approved by vegetarians or vegans. It is worth remembering that candles made of renewable raw materials are classified as natural candles, therefore paraffin candles are not included in this category (paraffin is a petroleum waste).

What waxes are natural candles made of?

Natural candles are most often made of the following types of wax (often a mixture of several types of wax):

• soy wax
• rapeseed wax
• vegetable stearin (palm wax)
• coconut waxes
• sunflower wax
• hemp wax
• beeswax (not vegan wax)

Can you identify a candle made of natural plant wax or soy wax?

Manufacturers often inform customers themselves that their products are made of natural plant waxes. Look for terms such as 100% soy wax, vegetable wax, natural wax, etc. on the label.

Some types of wax can also be recognized "by eye", e.g. coconut wax begins to dissolve slightly at a temperature above 25 degrees and droplets of liquid wax can be seen on the surface of the candle, while palm wax takes on a "crystal", shimmering structure resembling ice on the glass after it hardens .

Pure plant waxes are usually soft, which is why natural candles are poured, for example, into glass jars. Of course, there are also hard waxes, this category includes, among others, rapeseed candles or vegetable stearin candles.

How do natural candles burn?

Plant waxes used to create natural candles are characterized by very good combustion parameters. Candles made of natural plant waxes burn with a warm yellow light. Vegetable wax is soft, dissolves faster than paraffin, thanks to which the recommended single burning time is shortened (until the wax is fully dissolved on the entire surface of the vessel).

Natural candles burn out clearly, and when used as intended (e.g. away from drafts), they practically do not smoke.

Why is it worth trying natural candles?

Natural candles are environmentally friendly and made of renewable raw materials. By choosing such candles, we contribute to improving the condition of our planet.