The more you learn about all the different types of candle making wax available to you today and the nuances involved in working with each of them, the better candle maker you will become. From budget-friendly paraffin wax to natural beeswax, exotic gel wax, palm wax, or eco-friendly soy wax, there are plenty to choose from. Having the knowledge of the pros and cons between the different types, and how best to work with each of them will only enrich your candle making experience and expand your product line.
Having so many choices available means that you have a variety of candle making waxes to make your candles exactly what you and your customers want them to be.
Natural Candle Making Wax
The latest boom in the candle industry has been all natural waxes. As the economy starts to realize the carbon footprint that we are leaving on our environment, many consumers are beginning to buy more “green” or, “earth-friendly” products – and candle making wax is no exception. While all natural waxes, are “all the rave” it is still important to know where your wax is coming from and how it was obtained.
The “Not-So” Earth Friendly Natural Candle Wax
For example, palm wax, became very popular not long ago, so popular in fact, that countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia began clearing out natural rain forests to make room for palm plantations. Fortunately the World Wide Fund for Nature created RSPO, regulating the palm plantations and how palm is harvested and produced. This was a wise move, and consumers were relieved to see the change, as animals were being endangered such as the orangutan, rhino, and the Sumatran tiger.
Eco-Friendly Soy Wax
But not all natural candle making wax has had such a controversial reputation. The soy candle has been a huge success in the candle industry and sales continue to sky rocket. Soy is a natural product grown in the form of beans. Because soy beans are a renewable resource, and are mostly grown in the United States (mostly Illinois, Iowa, and Indiana), they make an ideal choice for consumers seeking a greener initiative. It is also the one candle making wax that can safely be melted in the microwave!
Natural Beeswax
Another popular type of wax for making candles that is on the slightly more expensive end of the spectrum is beeswax. Beeswax, like soybean, is all natural and also has a very lovely smell, a fantastic burning quality, and a unique texture that allows you to make beautiful candles without even needing to work with dangerous heating sources. This is a great candle making wax for introducing children to this hobby.
Exotic Gel Wax
Then there is gel wax, which is not really even a wax at all, at least not in the “true” sense of the word. Gel wax offers the candle maker many creative options due to its transparency properties, such as suspending objects in the clear gel or making candles that resemble drinks. The creative options are limitless with gel wax, but it comes with a price. Gel wax requires the most caution when working with as it is the most dangerous of the candle making wax types.