Waxes and their comparison
Candle waxes and their overview we will reveal in this post
Are you thinking about making candles but can't find your way around the different waxes available for making them? Here's an overview of the different types of waxes, along with their properties and suitable uses, so you can easily find the right wax for your creative project.
ECOSOYA CB ADVANCED
Ecosoya CB advanced is a 100% soy wax that contains no animal ingredients and is therefore suitable for vegan products. It is designed for making container candles, i.e. candles in a variety of glass or metal containers, it is less suitable for making freestanding candles.
Candles made from EcoSoya CB advanced are highly resistant to frosting (the effect of freezing flowers on the surface), the wax adheres well to the glass, and at the same time has a smooth surface. The wax melts evenly as the candle burns and provides good dispersion of colouring agents when colouring candles. It is suitable to combine Ecosoya CB advanced
with 6-9% fragrances for a good blend, the wax is supplied in the form of small lozenges/granules, which partially prolongs the melting time.
Ecosoya CB advanced should be heated to 70 °C for melting and then poured after cooling
to 60 °C. It is optimal to add the flavours just before pouring. Do not heat above 90 °C.
ECOSOYA PILLAR BLEND
EcoSoya Pillar blend will be appreciated when preparing freestanding candles without containers. It is typically used to make tall pillar candles for candle holders or Advent wreaths, or smaller votive candles (the lower, thicker candles lit in churches and cemeteries). You can also use it to make aromatic or scented waxes. It does not have a frosting effect (the effect of flowers freezing on the surface).
Up to 12 % aromatic component is recommended for scented waxes, otherwise 6 % or less. This is a 100% soy wax providing bright colours when using colouring agents, as well as good release of added aromatics. EcoSoya Pillar blend is sold in lozenge/granule form. It is recommended to heat 70-75°C for melting and approximately 60°C for pouring into the mould.
KERAX - KERASOY CONTAINER 4130
KeraSoy container is a 100% soy wax suitable for candle making in containers, especially glass containers, similar to Ecosoya CB advanced. It differs from EcoSoya CB advanced by the possibility to use a lower pouring temperature (around 45-55 °C) if you want to achieve a better adhesion to the walls of the container. At the same time, you can use a larger amount of fragrance in KeraSoy - 10-12% fragrance is recommended. The resulting candles have a smooth surface without a frosting effect (the effect of freezing flowers on the surface).
The wax is ideally melted at 70 °C. The KeraSoy container is suitable if you want to make one-pour candles
- i.e. for normal projects, it is not necessary to refill the wax later due to imperfect surface/cavity appearance. KeraSoy combines well with additives of plant origin, such as dyes or fragrance oils intended for soy candles.
KERAX - KERASOY PILLAR 4120
For the preparation of freestanding candles without containers (i.e. for pouring into a mould), KeraSoy pillar is suitable. It is 100% soy wax, sold in granule/pill form. It provides greater temperature flexibility when working as, unlike other waxes, it can withstand short heating up to 85°C if cooled immediately afterwards (however, colour changes may occur if colouring agents are added). For melting, a temperature of around 70 °C is suitable, for pouring you can also use lower temperatures of around 45-60 °C. It is advisable to add a smaller amount of fragrance ingredient to KeraSoy pillar than to EcoSoya pillar, 5-10%.
KeraSoy pillar has been designed to make candles in a single pour - except for large moulds, no further refilling of wax is necessary to cover surface defects such as cavities or cracks. The resulting candles have a smooth, glossy surface with no frosting effect (the effect of freezing flowers on the surface).
CARGILL - GOLDEN WAX 464
Cargill Golden Wax is a soy-based candle wax that provides nice candles that distribute added fragrances well when burning. It has a lower melting point (45-49°C) so it can be softer on hot days. Overall, do not exceed 70 °C when melting. Temperatures in the range of 50-60 °C are suitable for pouring. Golden Wax is designed for making container candles, has good adhesion to glass and provides candles with a smooth
a smooth and seamless surface.
Golden Wax is supplied in flake form. The maximum fragrance content is 7-9%. The resulting candles burn evenly and gradually release the fragrances.
CARGILL - NATURE WAX C-6
Nature Wax C-6 is a blend of soy and coconut wax that can be used in the production of container candles, tea lights and aromatic or scented waxes. It is not suitable for pillar candles or other freestanding candles made with moulds.
The resulting candles will have a smooth surface without cracks. One pour is sufficient for the production of candles - there is no need to refill the wax, as the wax surface is not prone to cracks or cavities. Nature Wax tolerates approximately 6% of fragrance ingredients well in the production of scented candles. It releases fragrances evenly when burning, holds dyes well and gives bright colours.
Wax should be melted at 70-75°C, lower temperatures between 50-65°C are suitable for pouring. The resulting candles burn for a long time, smoke minimally and the wax is also easy to clean from utensils and containers using hot water and soap. It combines well with both liquid and solid dyes.
CARGILL- NATURE WAX C-3
Nature Wax C-3 is a soy wax that can be used in making container candles, scented or aromatic waxes, as well as tea or votive (church) candles. It has the advantage of being plant-based, easy to clean from containers and utensils using hot water and soap. In addition, it provides long-burning candles that smoke minimally.
Interestingly, it starts to melt at 45-49°C, so you will need less time for it to melt completely (on hot days, the raw wax may soften slightly). However, do not exceed the temperature when melting
70 °C. Temperatures of 60-65 °C are suitable for pouring. It is advisable to add approximately 6 % fragrance to the wax. Works well with both liquid and solid dyes.
PALM WAX BW C09
BW C09 palm wax is great for making freestanding candles. This wax holds colour well
and fragrance and has a melting point between 57-63 °C. BW C09 palm wax can be combined
with most fragrance and essential oils. It is particularly suitable for casting candles using silicone moulds. It is available in the form of small granules, which speeds up its melting.
BW C09 palm wax tolerates approximately 3-5% of fragrances well. Temperatures between 60-65 °C are suitable for pouring, do not heat the wax above 85 °C.
| Wax | Container candles | Pillar (cast) candles | Aromatic waxes | Melting temperature | Pouring temperature | fragrances | Type of wax |
| Ecosoya CB Advanced | yes | x | x | 70 °C | 60 °C | 6-9 % | Soya |
| Ecosoya Pillar Blend | x | yes | yes | 70-75 °C | 60 °C | up to 12 %/ 6 % | Soya |
| Kerasoy Container 4130 | yes | x | x | 70 °C | 45-55 °C | 10-12 % | Soya |
| Kerasoy Pillar 4120 | x | yes | x | 70 °C, max 85 °C | 45-60 °C | 5-10 % | Soya |
| Golden Wax 464 | yes | x | x | 45-49 °C, max.70 °C | 50-60 °C | 7-9 % | Soya |
| Nature Wax C-6 | yes | x | yes | 70-75 °C | 50-65 °C | 6 % | Soya and coconut |
| Nature Wax C-3 | yes | x | yes | 45-49 °C, max.70 °C | 60-65 °C | 6 % | Soya |
| Palm wax BW C09 | x | yes | x | 57-63 °C | 60-65 °C | 3-5 % | Palm |
WAXES AND THEIR COMPARISON - CONCLUSION
Do you make candles and have you fallen in love with creating with soy wax?
If so, let us know how you get on and which of the waxes mentioned above you like best. We would be delighted if you write us some of your experiences and new insights we can pass on. Be sure to email us at marketing@handymade.sk with your information
Thank you to Ivana Yacalova for a great post, full of important information.
Until we meet again for a new article, have a wonderful time and don't stop making natural cosmetics.
Until the saponification, my friends.
