Design and scent are two primary considerations in buying a wax candle, but there’s more than that. Factors such as the rate at which the candle burns, throw (the fragrance emitted from a candle when it is burning), tunnelling (when a candle burns down the centre but not to the edges) and the emissions produced are worthy aspects as well.
The world of candles is a colourful one, and while beeswax, paraffin wax and soy wax are not the only types of candle waxes in the market, they are representative of the well-known ones today.
Beeswax
Beeswax is a purely natural wax that has been used by Man for over a thousand years. Gathered through the process of melting in boiling water, beeswax is the natural substance secreted by honeybees for the purpose of constructing their honeycomb.
While it has a comparatively lower throw than paraffin candles, beeswax is valued for its natural honeyed aroma and absence of toxic chemical emissions. HYSSES’ beeswax candles feature cotton wicks instead of lead ones to ensure a cleaner burn.
When purchasing a candle, worth to consider the burn rate of beeswax beyond its relatively high price tag; beeswax maintains a high melting point that allows it to burn for longer than other waxes, which provides more bang for your buck.
Paraffin Wax
One of the cheaper candle waxes till date, paraffin wax is a by-product of crude oil developed in the 18th century.
Despite its burn emission of toxic chemicals, it is popular for its lack of smell and colour that allows for wider variety and customisation.
This fast-burning wax does not last long, but makes up for it with its good throw, fragrancing spaces better than most other candles.
Paraffin wax is known for its consistent burn qualities that helps keeps tunnelling to a minimum. While some prefer a more level burn, others welcome tunnelling for the beautiful glow that it lends to a space, making both a boon and a bane.
Soy Wax
A recent introduction to commercial wax in response to the growing demand for natural candles with cleaner burn emissions than the largely popular paraffin wax, the soy wax candle is a lower-cost alternative to beeswax candles.
Produced from soy bean oil and vegetable oil, soy wax has a burn rate that is lower than paraffin wax but higher than beeswax, and a throw that is lower than that of paraffin wax.