Why Soy Candles Are Great

Soy wax is made from hydrogenated soybean oil - a renewable, plant-based material, unlike paraffin, which is a byproduct of petroleum refining.

Soybeans regrow every season and are biodegradable, which is why several industry sources point to soy wax as one of the more environmentally friendly candle materials on the market.

Cleaner burning. A widely cited 2009 study from South Carolina State University found that, unlike paraffin, soy wax did not release benzene when burned - a substance the American Cancer Society classifies as a carcinogen. That said, independent testing from the Bayreuth Institute of Environmental Research has shown that both wax types can burn cleanly under the right conditions, and that wick size and burn habits matter as much as the wax itself.

Burns longer. Because soy wax has a lower melting point than paraffin, it burns slower and cooler — several sources report soy candles typically last 30-50% longer than paraffin candles of the same size.

Better scent throw. That same lower melting point means fragrance oils aren't burned off as quickly, which candle makers describe as giving a softer, more natural scent that lingers longer in a room.