Candle-making waxes differ in their melting and pouring temperatures, in their suitability for container or pillar candles and in the amount of fragrance they can take. Are you considering making candles but do not know how to navigate the range of different waxes for their preparation? We bring you an overview of the individual types of waxes together with their properties and suitable use, thanks to which you will easily find the right wax for your creative project.
About this article
This overview of candle-making waxes was prepared for you by Ivana Jačalová. You will find nine waxes in it — the soy waxes EcoSoya CB Advanced, EcoSoya CB-135 and EcoSoya Pillar Blend, KeraSoy Container 4130 and KeraSoy Pillar 4120, Cargill Golden Wax 464, Nature Wax C-6 and Nature Wax C-3, and finally palm wax BW C09 — together with their properties, recommended melting and pouring temperatures and suitable use.
Key benefits
- Candles in containers
Ecosoya CB Advanced, EcoSoya CB-135, KeraSoy Container 4130, Golden Wax 464 as well as Nature Wax C-6 and C-3 are intended for container candles.
- Free-standing candles
EcoSoya Pillar Blend, KeraSoy Pillar 4120 and palm wax BW C09 are suitable for pillar and poured candles without containers.
- Aromatic and scented waxes
When preparing aromatic or scented waxes you will make use of EcoSoya Pillar Blend, Nature Wax C-6 and Nature Wax C-3.
- A surface without frosting
Candles made from Ecosoya CB Advanced are highly resistant to frosting — the effect of frozen flowers on the surface; EcoSoya Pillar Blend does not exhibit a frosting effect, and both KeraSoy waxes also give a smooth surface without frosting.
- Plant origin
These are soy waxes, a blend of soy and coconut wax (Nature Wax C-6) and palm wax; Ecosoya CB Advanced does not contain an animal component and is therefore suitable for vegan products.
The waxes in brief
EcoSoya CB Advanced
Ecosoya CB Advanced is a 100 % soy wax that does not contain an animal component, and is therefore suitable for vegan products. It is intended for making container candles and is less suitable for making free-standing candles.
Candles made from EcoSoya CB Advanced are highly frosting-resistant (the effect of frozen flowers on the surface), the wax adheres well to glass, and at the same time has a smooth surface. When the candle burns, the wax melts evenly, and when colouring candles it provides good dispersion of dyes. It is suitable to combine Ecosoya CB Advanced with 6 – 9 % fragrances for good blending of the mixture; the wax is supplied in the form of small pastilles/granules, which partially prolongs the melting time.
Ecosoya CB Advanced is suitable to heat to 70 °C to melt and subsequently pour after cooling to 60 °C. It is optimal to add the fragrances just before pouring. Do not heat above 90 °C.
EcoSoya CB-135
Soy wax EcoSoya CB 135 is a natural wax based on soy, specially designed for producing high-quality container candles. This wax is 100 % natural and biodegradable, thus representing an ecological alternative to paraffin waxes. When cured, it leaves a beautiful smooth white surface.
It is very easy to use, the containers do not need to be preheated, and in most cases one single pour is sufficient.
It is manufactured in Great Britain. The wax is produced also from soybeans that are GMO, however, GMO is not present in the wax itself (it is measured only in the proteins).
This wax is excellent for producing natural candles without colouring and holds fragrance excellently. It is compatible with most fragrance and essential oils, while it achieves the best results with fragrances that are intended directly for soy waxes. It is not necessary to add any additional additives. Parts of the candles can be remelted and used again, but it is not recommended to heat the wax above 85 °C.
EcoSoya Pillar Blend
You will appreciate EcoSoya Pillar Blend when preparing free-standing candles without containers. It is typically used to produce tall pillar candles for candle holders or Advent wreaths, or smaller votive candles (shorter, thicker candles burned in churches and cemeteries). You can also use it to produce aromatic or scented waxes. It does not exhibit a frosting effect (the effect of frozen flowers on the surface).
When making scented waxes, it is recommended to add up to 12 % aromatic component, in other cases 6 or fewer per cent. It is a 100 % soy wax providing bright colours when dyes are used, as well as good release of added aromatic substances. EcoSoya Pillar Blend is sold in the form of pastilles/granules. It is recommended to heat to 70 – 75 °C to melt and approximately 60 °C for pouring into the mould.
KeraSoy Container 4130
KeraSoy Container is a 100 % soy wax suitable for preparing container candles, especially in glass jars, similarly to Ecosoya CB Advanced. Compared to EcoSoya CB Advanced, it differs by allowing the use of a lower pouring temperature (45 – 55 °C) if you want to achieve better adhesion to the walls of the container. At the same time, you can use a larger amount of fragrance substances in KeraSoy — a fragrance load of 10 – 12 % is recommended. The resulting candles have a smooth surface without a frosting effect (the effect of frozen flowers on the surface).
Ideally, the wax should be melted at 70 °C. KeraSoy Container is suitable if you want to make single-pour candles — i.e. for standard projects it is not necessary to top up wax later due to an imperfect surface or the formation of a cavity. KeraSoy combines well with plant-based additives such as dyes or fragrance oils intended for soy candles.
KeraSoy Pillar 4120
For preparing free-standing candles without containers (i.e. for pouring into a mould), KeraSoy Pillar is suitable. It is a 100 % soy wax, sold in the form of granules/pastilles. It provides higher thermal flexibility during processing, because unlike other waxes it can withstand short heating up to 85 °C if it is then immediately cooled (colour changes may appear if dyes are added). For melting, a temperature around 70 °C is suitable, and for pouring you can also use lower temperatures around 45 – 60 °C. For KeraSoy Pillar, it is appropriate to add a smaller amount of fragrance component than for EcoSoya Pillar, namely 5 – 10 %.
KeraSoy Pillar has been designed for preparing candles with a single pour — except for large moulds, no additional topping up of wax is necessary to cover surface defects such as cavities or cracks. The resulting candles have a smooth, glossy surface without a frosting effect (the effect of frozen flowers on the surface).
Cargill Golden Wax 464
Cargill Golden Wax is a candle wax based on soy that provides nice candles which spread the added fragrance substances well while burning. It has a lower melting point (45 – 49 °C), so it may be softer during hot days. Overall, when melting, do not exceed a temperature of 70 °C. Temperatures in the range of 50 – 60 °C are suitable for pouring. Golden Wax is intended for producing container candles, has good adhesion to glass, and provides candles with a smooth and uniform surface.
Golden Wax is supplied in flake form. The maximum amount of fragrance substances is 7 – 9 %. The resulting candles burn evenly and gradually release the fragrance substances.
Cargill Nature Wax C-6
The natural candle wax Nature Wax C-6 represents a blend of soy wax and coconut wax, which you will use for making container candles and tealights, and it will also find its application in preparing aromatic or scented waxes. It is not suitable for pillar candles or other free-standing candles made using moulds.
The resulting candles will have a smooth surface without cracks. For making candles, a single pour is sufficient — it is not necessary to top up wax, as the wax surface is not prone to cracking or the formation of cavities. Nature Wax tolerates approximately 6 % fragrance components well when making aromatic candles. During burning, it releases fragrances evenly, holds dyes well and gives bright colours.
It is suitable to melt the wax at a temperature of 70 – 75 °C, while 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 off tools 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 you will use for producing container candles, scented or aromatic waxes, as well as tealights or votive (church) candles. Its advantage is that it is plant-based and easily cleaned from containers and tools using hot water and soap. In addition, it provides candles with a long burn time that smoke minimally.
Interestingly, it begins to melt already at 45 – 49 °C, so you will need a shorter time for its complete melting (during hot days the raw wax may slightly soften). However, when melting, do not exceed a temperature of 70 °C. Temperatures of 60 – 65 °C are suitable for pouring. It is appropriate to add approximately 6 % fragrance substances to the wax. It works well with both liquid and solid dyes.
Palm wax BW C09
For making free-standing candles, palm wax BW C09 is excellently suited. This wax holds colour and fragrance well and its melting temperature ranges between 57 – 63 °C. Palm wax BW C09 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.
Palm wax BW C09 tolerates approximately 3 – 5 % fragrance substances well. Temperatures between 60 – 65 °C are suitable for pouring; do not heat the wax above 85 °C.
The waxes compared at a glance
A summary of all nine waxes — their suitability for container candles, pillar (poured) candles and aromatic waxes, their melting and pouring temperatures, the recommended fragrance load and the type of wax.
| Wax | Container candles | Pillar (poured) candles | Aromatic waxes | Melting temperature | Pouring temperature | Fragrance load | Type of wax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ecosoya CB Advanced | yes | — | — | 70 °C | 60 °C | 6 – 9 % | Soy |
| Ecosoya CB-135 | yes | — | — | 70 °C | 60 °C | 5 – 10 % | Soy |
| Ecosoya Pillar Blend | — | yes | yes | 70 – 75 °C | 60 °C | Up to 12 % / 6 % | Soy |
| Kerasoy Container 4130 | yes | — | — | 70 °C | 45 – 55 °C | 10 – 12 % | Soy |
| Kerasoy Pillar 4120 | — | yes | — | 70 °C, max. 85 °C | 45 – 60 °C | 5 – 10 % | Soy |
| Golden Wax 464 | yes | — | — | 45 – 49 °C, max. 70 °C | 50 – 60 °C | 7 – 9 % | Soy |
| Nature Wax C-6 | yes | — | yes | 70 – 75 °C | 50 – 65 °C | 6 % | Soy and coconut |
| Nature Wax C-3 | yes | — | yes | 45 – 49 °C, max. 70 °C | 60 – 65 °C | 6 % | Soy |
| Palm Wax BW C09 | — | yes | — | 57 – 63 °C | 60 – 65 °C | 3 – 5 % | Palm |
Frequently asked questions about candle waxes
Practical questions about choosing a wax — which type of candle it suits, how much fragrance it can take, how hot to heat it and which wax is enough for a single pour.
Which wax should I choose for candles in containers?
Ecosoya CB Advanced, EcoSoya CB-135, KeraSoy Container 4130, Golden Wax 464 as well as Nature Wax C-6 and Nature Wax C-3 are intended for container candles. Both Ecosoya CB Advanced and Golden Wax 464 adhere well to glass; KeraSoy Container 4130 allows you to pour at a lower temperature (45 – 55 °C) if you want to achieve better adhesion to the walls of the container.
Which wax is suitable for free-standing (pillar) candles?
For pillar and poured candles without containers, EcoSoya Pillar Blend, KeraSoy Pillar 4120 and palm wax BW C09 are the ones to reach for. Ecosoya CB Advanced is less suitable for free-standing candles, and Nature Wax C-6 is not suitable for pillar candles or other free-standing candles made using moulds.
How much fragrance can I add to the wax?
It depends on the wax: palm wax BW C09 tolerates approximately 3 – 5 %, Nature Wax C-6 and C-3 approximately 6 %, Ecosoya CB Advanced 6 – 9 %, Golden Wax 464 a maximum of 7 – 9 %, EcoSoya CB-135 5 – 10 %, KeraSoy Pillar 4120 5 – 10 % and KeraSoy Container 4130 10 – 12 %. With EcoSoya Pillar Blend, up to 12 % aromatic component is recommended when making scented waxes, and 6 or fewer per cent in other cases.
What is the frosting effect and which waxes do not show it?
Frosting is the effect of frozen flowers on the surface of the candle. Candles made from Ecosoya CB Advanced are highly resistant to it, EcoSoya Pillar Blend does not exhibit a frosting effect, and KeraSoy Container 4130 and KeraSoy Pillar 4120 also give a smooth surface without frosting (the latter glossy as well).
Which wax is suitable for aromatic and scented waxes?
For aromatic or scented waxes, EcoSoya Pillar Blend (up to 12 % aromatic component is recommended), Nature Wax C-6 and Nature Wax C-3 are suitable. Nature Wax C-6 releases fragrances evenly while burning, holds dyes well and gives bright colours.
How hot can the wax be heated?
Ecosoya CB Advanced must not be heated above 90 °C. With EcoSoya CB-135, heating above 85 °C is not recommended, and the same limit applies to palm wax BW C09. KeraSoy Pillar 4120 can withstand short heating up to 85 °C if it is then immediately cooled (colour changes may appear if dyes are added). With Golden Wax 464 and Nature Wax C-3, do not exceed 70 °C.
Which waxes are enough for a single pour?
EcoSoya CB-135 is very easy to use — the containers do not need to be preheated and in most cases one single pour is sufficient. For standard projects, KeraSoy Container 4130 does not require topping up the wax because of an imperfect surface or the formation of a cavity, and KeraSoy Pillar 4120 needs no topping up except in large moulds. A single pour is also sufficient with Nature Wax C-6, as the wax surface is not prone to cracking or the formation of cavities.
Waxes and their comparison — conclusion
Do you make candles and have you fallen in love with working with soy wax?
If so, let us know how you are doing and which of the mentioned waxes you like best. We will be pleased if you write us some of your experiences and we will be able to pass on new findings. Be sure to write us your information at [email protected]. We thank Ivana Jačalová for the great post, full of important information.
Until we meet again in a new article, have a wonderful time and do not stop making natural cosmetics.
You will find the EcoSoya and KeraSoy soy waxes, Cargill Golden Wax 464 and Nature Wax as well as palm wax BW C09 among the candle-making waxes in the Handymade range.
