Soy Wax vs Paraffin Wax: What’s Really in Your Candle?

Soy Wax vs Paraffin Wax: What’s Really in Your Candle?

When it comes to candles, most people focus on scent or design. But have you ever thought about what your candle is actually made of?

The type of wax used in a candle plays a huge role in how it burns, how it smells, and even how clean the air stays in your home. If you’re aiming for a luxury experience that’s both elegant and conscious, knowing the difference between soy wax and paraffin wax is key.

So the true question is are you getting your money's worth? Stay to the end for a free gift.


What is Soy Wax?

Soy wax is a natural, plant-based wax made from soybeans. After harvesting, soybeans are processed into oil, which is then hydrogenated to form solid soy wax. Here’s why it stands out:

  • Eco-friendly: It's biodegradable, renewable, and supports sustainable farming. So if you're into helping the environment then soy wax is your go to.

  • Longer burn time: Soy burns cooler and slower, which means your candle lasts longer. This is good news to you because you can enjoy your candles scent and warmth for a longer period of time.

  • Clean burning: It produces little to no soot, making it better for indoor air quality. Less soot also means that the candle you produce a cleaner burn meaning there would be less smoke and more clean scent. More to learn about soot and candle care tips read our post of 5 candle care tips to maximize your candles performance.

  • Soft, balanced scent throw: Soy wax holds fragrance well, offering a more gentle and natural aroma. Any scent you love could be added to your soy wax candle.

With all of the positives comes negatives as well. Soy wax is one of the most expensive types of waxes because of all the benefits. Soy wax is used to create luxury candles to maximize the consumer's product experience. 


For luxury brands like Kalm, soy wax is the preferred choice for its clean aesthetics, health-conscious profile, and premium feel. But there's more to our candles, stick to the end to hear more about it.

 

What is Paraffin Wax?

Paraffin wax is a white or colorless soft solid derived from petroleum, coal, or shale oil. It’s a byproduct of the crude oil refining process, made when lubricating oil is refined.

It became a popular candle wax in the 20th century because it was cheap to produce, easy to work with, and held fragrance and color well.

  • Inexpensive: It’s cheaper to produce, which is why it’s used in many mass-market candles. Most retailers use paraffin wax to produce their candles on a large scale.

  • Strong scent throw: Paraffin candles can release intense fragrance quickly, Because of its consistency its much easier to work with.

  • Shorter burn time: Burns faster and hotter, so it doesn’t last as long. Unlike soy wax that burns 2x longer than regular paraffin wax candles.

  • More soot: Paraffin tends to release more black smoke and residue (soot) into the air and onto your surfaces. Which is bad for your health, especially if you regularly burn paraffin wax candles often and inhale the smoke.



What is Soot & Why It Matters

Soot is the black residue you sometimes see around the rim of a candle jar or even on nearby walls. It forms from incomplete combustion—mostly in paraffin candles. Not only is it unattractive, but it can also contribute to indoor air pollution.

Soy wax, on the other hand, burns much cleaner. That means less mess, no smoke trails, and a healthier environment for you and your home.


Burn Time & Performance

Luxury is about experience—and soy wax delivers that. It burns:

  • Slower = More value for your money.

  • Cooler = Less risk of tunneling.

  • Evenly = Better overall scent experience.

Paraffin burns faster and hotter, which can cause candles to tunnel or leave wax waste behind.



Sustainability & Lifestyle Impact

Soy wax is part of a conscious lifestyle choice. It aligns with the values of modern luxury: clean ingredients, transparency, and sustainability.

Paraffin, while effective, is derived from fossil fuels. That alone makes many eco-conscious buyers think twice.


Our Choice: Soy Wax for a Clean, Luxe Burn

At our brand, we choose soy wax not just for its beautiful burn, but for what it represents:

  • Purity

  • Mindfulness

  • Conscious living

We believe a candle should elevate your space without compromising your well-being or the planet. The brand behind Kalm is not just providing luxury candles to our customers but giving them an experience that they will remember. We built our brand on the scientific proof that a scent has the power to transport us, unlocking deep memories and emotions. At Kalm, we embrace this by crafting luxury scented candles that don’t just fill a space but creates an experience. Unlike other brands we don't just sell our customers wax, we sell them an experience. 


Bonus Tip: Keep It Covered

Want your candle to last longer and stay dust-free? Put the lid back on after each use. It protects the wax, preserves the fragrance, and maintains that fresh, clean surface for the next burn. So check out out black and gold collection. 

As promised here's your free gift, it's a 10% off code 62BG3K3XW0HB  for all products in the Kalm Store. 

 

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