Last week, I discussed my unusual high school job: pouring beeswax candles at a Greek Orthodox Convent! Read about the healing properties of beeswax candles and the dangers of paraffin candles here. Did you know, for example, that many people find burning beeswax candles an effective treatment for allergies?
Soy vs. Beeswax Candles
Hands down, beeswax candles win the competition. They can effectively reduce allergies, asthma, and hay fever by releasing negative ions into the air. Although soy candles don’t boast medicinal properties, soy is clearly a better choice that paraffin candles… sometimes (read why paraffin candles are so dangerous here). There is a catch…
In the U.S., the term “pure” on a label means only 51% of an ingredient (and that goes for food, too). Companies sell both “pure” beeswax candles and “pure” soy candle, which contain a combination of 51% beeswax/soy wax and 49% toxic paraffin. Look for the key phrase “100% Pure Beeswax” or “100% Soy” on candles.
But even 100% soy candles have some significant problems:
Soy candles contain paraffin
Interestingly, even a 100% soy wax candle must be processed with a small amount of paraffin. Potentially, burning a 100% soy candle will release small amounts of the carcinogens and toxins found in paraffin. Again, most soy candles on the market are not 100% soy, and contain a high percentage of poisonous paraffin.
Soy candles often contain fragrances and dyes
Additionally, many soy candles contain the same poisonous dyes and fragrances added to paraffin candles. (Granted, some low quality beeswax candles are dyed and fragranced, too, and they do not offer the healing benefits of 100% pure beeswax candles.) Interestingly, essential oils are not safe options for candle fragrances, either. A soy or beeswax candle scented with essential oils will release toxins, since combustion changes the molecular structure of these oils.
100% pure beeswax candles require no added fragrances or dyes, because the pollen and honey content of the wax offer a natural orange color and light, sweet fragrance.
Soy candles pose environmental concerns
More than 90% of soy is genetically modified! GM soy crops are heavily sprayed with toxic pesticides, causing harm to both the harvesters and the soil. So if you are buying soy candles, chances are you are supporting the production of GMO’s–which devastate our environment and our health.
Price: A Deal Breaker for Some
When you buy paraffin candles, you are spending money to poison your home. Beeswax candles, like I discussed, are a healing investment and worth the higher price tag. Soy candles–even 100% pure soy candles–cost significantly less than beeswax. Those who want a more affordable alternative to paraffin often go with soy candles. Although this is a personal decision, but I would rather go candle-free than settle for anything less than 100% beeswax.
Where do I get the beeswax candles?
Please read the UPDATE section on my beeswax candles post.
Questions about wicks or making your own candles? Please refer to that post, too.
The people requiring scientific proof i bet sell paraffin or soy candles. lol
Something that is given by nature as gifts to humans don’t require me to have scientific proof. I don’t need science to tell me when I’m burning a candle if its doing bad or good to me..
I love delivering good products to customers with benefits and I’m sure the scientific researchers are not allowed to study this fine product. With all the paraffin left over from crude oil, why should they!
Maybe it’s time we funded an institution to produce scientific studies to provide the knowledge some of us are needing. We should throw common sense out the window because we can’t simply makes sense out of mother nature VS big companies not knowing where to throw there waste. But the money sucking geniuses decided to sell it to us.
Noone needs to show no one proof of anything, since their is alot of info and studies provided that paraffin and soy are bad for our health in candles. Lets look at the full picture to prevent disagreements.
Kind Knowledge Regards:)
I found this site doing research into soy candles, as I have been using beeswax for a while to make my candles. I have very strong allergies, acute sense of smell, and very sensitive lungs. I also love candles. As a result, I started making beeswax candles.
I have to say that I strongly agree with your (OP and Owner) with your “nutrition vs medicine” philosophy. Many massive companies care only about providing their product at the lowest possible cost, often not considering the long-term effects that their products have on their consumers. Likewise, many doctors are either incredibly lazy, incompetent, or in the purse of Big Pharma. Some people need medication. Many others take medication that they don’t need. However, good doctors do still exist, that will first try to prescribe good nutrition and exercise. And I think making blanket statements about groups or categories of people, is the first step to making an error.
I wanted to point out in this comment that science and the scientific process are invaluable to the human condition. Without scientific inquiry, we would not know the melting point of beeswax, nor would the secrets of electronics and the internet exist–and thus, you would not be able to operate your blog, or make your candles safely. We would also have many more people suffering and dying every day due to treatable diseases that REQUIRE medication.
I appreciate this post as it gave me some new questions to ask. So thank you for taking your time to write it. However, I will be unable to follow this blog because you started your comment with a back-handed criticism of people requiring scientific proof. I felt personally attacked by that criticism, as I don’t sell soy or paraffin candles. You said in your comment, “I love delivering good products to customers with benefits…” yet, how do you define good? And while I agree with your claim that beeswax is the best candle wax–specifically, in my opinion, for people with allergies and sensitive respiratory systems–your downplay of the importance of science in this question is disturbing to me.
You’re not following the blog anymore because of a COMMENT? The author didn’t write the comment! If you choose your blogs based on the people who comment on them, you’ll have none to follow.
How does beeswax harvesting harm bees?
My beeswax is what was left over after extracting honey. The honeycomb containing the honey is capped with beeswax when the honey is ripe and ready for storage. The beeswax has to be removed in order to harvest the honey. Once harvested, the honeycomb is put back in the hive to be reused by the bees.
Beekeepers should only take excess wax that is not needed by the bees. It is in their interest to ensure bees’ needs are met. Otherwise, they could lose their colonies.
Thank you for this information. It was exactly what I was looking for. I had banned all candles from my home and office, and now I k ow what is safe to use. It will be interesting to see if it also helps my little schnauzer Xena with her allergies.
There, their. Now don’t get your shorts in a bunch.
We just launched our candle business and knew immediately we would do a combination of beeswax and coconut wax. Some of the reviews we gotten on our Facebook page have been amazing and continues to solidify our decision. We had one customer share with us that she had not burned candles in her home in 15 years do to allergies but our candles have been amazing for her with no adverse effects. It may cost more to produce with all natural oils but the brand value is second to none!
Hi, what is the name of your candle company in case I ever want chemical free candles?
Careful, dangerous dihydrogen monoxide is still used in the production of most equipment and materials!
LOL…
There’s no such thing as a chemical-free candle.
Yes there is! Burton & Webb (burtonandwebb.com) their candles are just beeswax with FSC wooden wicks. No coconut, additives, etc. Just completely pure local beeswax
I would also like to know the company please! So hard to find good candles like this.
Many thanks
Jenna
I absolutely love this site.
Thank you
♥️ We looked high and low for our Beeswax and we source it from Quebec, Canada. The purest Beeswax.
Ebz: it seems you are unaware that many natural things can also be poisonous or cancer-causing. “Natural” does not necessarily mean it is healthier, and that is why we need scientific studies.
(I have to admit, I’m stunned at how many people in this day and age remain suspicious or ignorant of the value of the scientific method. They do seem to be coming out of the woodwork recently!)
I agree with Heather 100% but want to add another point. Now that we are in the middle of the COVID 19 epidemic, the need to have scientific evidence and to evaluate the scientific evidence (scientists have their own testing biases as well) is even more important. Just because someone says they have scientific proof doesn’t always mean it is correct. The public needs to be think as well and just not take what is printed for face value. As far as natural products….isn’t tobacco 100% organic and natural? Just saying….
Arsenic is 100% natural too. Guess it’s nature’s gift to humans. 😉
What if you have a beeswax allergy? I was thinking soy? Do you have any recommendations?
Thanks
What if you have a beeswax allergy? I was thinking soy? Do you have any recommendations?
Thanks
Thanks for this info! I was googling if soy candles were actually healthy or not. Regular candles, well, I am not buying them anymore but I LOVE the ambiance and smell, even though they gave me headaches (thus not buying them). I would switch to beeswax for sure, and hopefully I can find a local provider here in Montana (we do have local honey here). One question: Can you provide a link to the statement about purity being 51% even for food? That is powerful information, but only if supported by proof – I can’t share it with skeptical friends unless I can back it up. TIA!
I have to argue something:
“Soy candles contain paraffin
Interestingly, even a 100% soy wax candle must be processed with a small amount of paraffin. ”
I have soy wax at home to make candles, and the wax I have does not list anything akin to paraffin. The SDS lists Partially Hydrogenated Soybean Oil and a Soy Based Emulsifier as the only 2 ingredients. To say ALL soy candles contain paraffin is not accurate.
Hi, this all really great to read. However, I am trying to find where the research comes from. I am writing a paper on the health benefits of beeswax candles over paraffin and soy, but everything I find is people sharing information, but not their sources. What journal, or scientific study provided you with the information about soy candles having paraffin in them? The term “pure” in the U.S. only needing 51% of the product for it to be so labelled – where can I find that in a government document?
Please help me with the location of your sources.
Thank you
But beeswax is from… bees. You’re stealing from them. Our bees are already constantly fighting against the harmful and deadly pesticides, as well as fighting off the constant attack they face from parasites. They’re one of our top pollinators of the world and their population is suffering, so how can using beeswax be ethical and eco friendly. Fax
This is just another opinion piece, where are the studies that support your hypothesis? I’ve read 5 articles today with 0 sited sources other then hearsay…