Aromatherapy candles play a crucial role in modern life, creating a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere for people.
However, few people understand the raw materials used in candles and their impact on candle quality and the environment.
This article will delve into four common candle raw materials: coconut wax, beeswax, soy wax, and palm wax, providing you with a comprehensive and objective perspective through data analysis and professional interpretation.
I. Coconut Wax
Coconut wax is a natural plant wax derived from coconut residues and coconut oil extraction. Coconut wax has the following characteristics in aromatherapy candles:
- Outstanding Burning Performance: Coconut wax has a low melting point and a high burning point, making candle burning more stable and long-lasting.
- Excellent Scent Carrying Capacity: Coconut wax can effectively carry and release fragrances, resulting in long-lasting and rich scents in aromatherapy candles.
- Sustainability: Coconut wax is a renewable resource, with a relatively low environmental impact during production.
- High Compatibility: Coconut wax is compatible with other candle raw materials such as beeswax and soy wax, allowing for the creation of various candle types.
As a candle raw material, coconut wax is produced through the hydrogenation process of coconut oil. It has a longer burning time, approximately 1.5 times that of regular candles, meaning consumers can enjoy the aroma for a longer duration.
Additionally, coconut wax produces less smoke during burning, making it more environmentally friendly.
However, its relatively higher cost and low melting point contribute to its lower market share.
II. Beeswax
Beeswax is a natural waxy substance produced by bees in their hives. Here are the characteristics of beeswax in aromatherapy candles:
- High Melting Point: Beeswax has a high melting point, requiring higher temperatures for complete burning, which may lead to incomplete combustion and more black smoke.
- Strong Natural Fragrance: Beeswax has a unique natural fragrance of its own, but it can also interfere with added fragrances in candles.
- Limited Supply: Beeswax is limited in supply since it depends on bee production, which can result in higher prices.
Beeswax is a natural and environmentally friendly candle material. Beeswax candles produce very little to no smoke, making them the preferred choice for consumers with high air quality requirements.
Furthermore, beeswax candles generate negative ions when burned, contributing to air purification and a sense of relaxation and comfort.
However, beeswax is relatively expensive, and its burning time is slightly shorter compared to other wax types.
III. Soy Wax
Soy wax is a vegetable wax derived from soybean oil. Here are the characteristics of soy wax in aromatherapy candles:
- Renewable: Soy wax is a renewable resource with a relatively low environmental impact during production.
- Long Burning Time: Soy wax has a long burning time, extending the candle’s lifespan.
- Good Scent Carrying Capacity: Soy wax can effectively carry and release fragrance, resulting in a long-lasting and rich candle aroma.
- Ease of Use: Soy wax is easy to melt and work with, suitable for large-scale production.
Soy wax is made from soybean oil and is a biodegradable and renewable resource. However, soy wax is relatively soft, and candles made from it may have a more uniform shape.
Additionally, the natural scent of soybean oil can sometimes overshadow added fragrances, affecting the consumer experience.
IV. Palm Wax
Palm wax is derived from palm oil and offers unique advantages compared to other candle raw materials. Here’s an in-depth look at palm wax:
- Excellent Burning Performance: Palm wax has a low melting point and a high burning point, allowing candles to burn evenly, reducing residue and smoke production. Palm wax candles typically have a longer burning time than other candles, extending their lifespan.
- Exceptional Stability: Palm wax has excellent stability and can maintain its shape and structure even in high-temperature environments. This makes palm wax candles perform well in different seasons and climates, with minimal deformation or melting.
- Strong Scent Carrying Capacity: Palm wax effectively carries and releases fragrance components, resulting in a long-lasting and intense aroma in candles.
