Soy Wax, NatureWax C-3, 1 kg

Soy wax NatureWax C-3 is a plant-based wax for making container candles, tea lights, votive candles and scented wax melts for oil burners. The manufacturer compounds it from hydrogenated vegetable glycerides based on soy. It is of particular interest to candle makers because it has a neutral and stable scent of its own, allowing even a delicate fragrance composition to shine through, and it diffuses scent well both cold and during burning.

It is supplied in the form of flakes, which are easy to weigh out and melt quickly. It contains no ingredients of animal or mineral (petroleum) origin.

Key properties

• Neutral inherent scent – a base without a pronounced fragrance does not compete with the added perfume and is also suitable for delicate, floral or citrus compositions.
• Cold and hot scent throw – the candle is fragrant even when held close to the nose and noticeably so after lighting, once a melted layer of wax forms around the wick.
• Smooth surface – after solidifying the result is a flat, uniform surface, which is the most visible sign of a well-poured container candle.
• Resistance to crystalline bloom – the white streaks on the surface of soy candles (so-called frosting) form less readily with this wax than with standard soy waxes.
• Low melting point – the drop point is typically 53 °C (range 51–55 °C), consistent with a soft wax intended for use in containers.

Use

The manufacturer lists four types of products: scented container candles (glass, tin, ceramic), tea light candles in aluminium or plastic cups, votive candles and scented wax melts for oil burners (melts). In each case the wax is held during burning or warming by the container wall or the dish of the oil burner. Freestanding candles, which must hold their shape without support, are not among the recommended uses.

For scented wax melts used in oil burners, the low melting point means the fragrance is released quickly even at gentle warming.

Working with the wax

The flakes are melted in a double boiler or a dedicated melting pot. The fragrance oil is added to the fully melted wax and stirred thoroughly to disperse it evenly throughout the entire volume. After mixing, the wax is allowed to cool slightly and is poured into a pre-warmed container with the wick secured in place. Slow cooling at room temperature away from draughts promotes a smooth surface free of cracks and sinkholes around the wick.

Before assessing the scent and burn performance, the finished candle is left to cure for several days to allow the fragrance to settle in the solidified wax. The manufacturer does not specify an exact curing time.

Good to know

The wax is light in colour, so it can be tinted with candle dyes without the base skewing the shade. Soy waxes in general colour to pastel, milky tones rather than the deep, translucent shades achievable with paraffin.

Under CLP regulations it is not classified as hazardous, so no safety data sheet is required. The manufacturer describes it as biodegradable on the basis of tests carried out on similar substances.

It is produced from soybeans that are not grown separately from genetically modified varieties. The manufacturer states that qualitative PCR tests of its NatureWax waxes have not detected any genetically modified material.

Frequently asked questions