Mineral Waxes
Commercially, candles and wax melts generally contain mineral wax: paraffin.
Paraffin is made from a solid residue of petroleum, a non-renewable resource. Depending on the quality of the waxes, some impurities can be found that hinder good combustion and may pose risks of soot formation and the release of harmful substances during combustion. However, this is generally not the case for high-end candles.
This wax still has its qualities. It is cost-effective and gives good results as the candles are smooth and easy to color, but I decided not to work with this wax because petroleum is already omnipresent in our lives and non-renewable.
Animal Waxes
In candle making, there is also animal wax, namely beeswax.
A very high-quality wax, yellow or white, that smells slightly of honey when burned. This wax is renewable and biodegradable, and even more expensive than all other waxes. It works differently from vegetable wax, for example, and allows for the creation of very beautiful molded candles. I chose not to use it for reasons of origin, as it is difficult to ensure that the wax used does not come from intensive bee farming, and out of ethical concern, and since other solutions were available to me, I decided not to use this type of wax. Its high cost would not have allowed me to offer artisanal products at a reasonable price.
Vegetable Waxes
There are many types of vegetable waxes. These waxes are extracted from plants such as soy, rapeseed, sunflower, palm, or even, more surprisingly, apricots or coconut. Some are less common in France and more difficult to work with.
At Leaves and co, I initially chose to use soy and rapeseed wax. The waxes I use are guaranteed GMO- and pesticide-free. They also have the advantage of being biodegradable and renewable.
Vegetable waxes can be more complicated to work with and require consistent temperatures for optimal results. After many tests, I have completely mastered this material, and I am happy to offer you products made from rapeseed and soy wax. It is true that the candles may show frosting, cracks, or detachment from the sides. But I believe that these small aesthetic flaws do not diminish the quality of the product, which is handmade in an ethical way!
Another advantage is that rapeseed and soy waxes have a very low melting point, which gives candles prolonged combustion and a shimmering, bright flame. Also, vegetable waxes do not release toxic fumes (benzene, for example) and do not produce soot.
Another benefit: you won't need solvents to clean your containers or surfaces if wax spills on them. It cleans up with hot water and soap. It's up to you to be imaginative and reuse your jars and glasses!
So, are you convinced by vegetable wax? Have you tried natural wax candles?
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