Candle wax guide

Soy vs paraffin vs beeswax & more.

The wax decides how long a candle burns, how strongly it scents a room and how cleanly it burns. Here is an honest, side-by-side look at the eight most common candle waxes, and why every Ollie & Co. candle is hand-poured with 100% soy wax in Vancouver, Canada.

Compare the waxesShop soy candles

The 8 candle waxes

What is your candle made of?

  • Soy wax flakes

    Soy wax

    Plant-based, clean, slow burn

    Ollie & Co. · 100% soy
  • Block of white paraffin wax

    Paraffin

    Petroleum-based, strong throw

  • Blocks of natural yellow beeswax

    Beeswax

    Natural, longest burn, not vegan

  • Halved coconuts, the source of coconut wax

    Coconut apricot

    Creamy, luxe, strong throw

  • Smooth creamy tops of soy-coconut candles

    Soy-coconut

    Smooth tops, plant-based

  • Ivory pillar candles made with a firm wax blend

    Soy-coconut-beeswax

    Firm, premium, not vegan

  • Clear gel wax

    Gel

    Clear, mineral-oil based

  • Oil palm fruit, the source of palm wax

    Palm wax

    Crystal pattern, RSPO matters

  • 100% soy wax

    Plant-based, renewable and vegan, for a clean, slow burn.

  • Phthalate-free fragrance

    True-to-life scents, made without phthalates or parabens.

  • Lead-free cotton wick

    Sized for an even melt pool and low soot.

  • Hand-poured in Vancouver

    Small batches, poured by hand in Vancouver, Canada.

Candle Wax Guide: Soy vs Paraffin vs Beeswax & More

Candle Wax Guide: Soy vs Paraffin vs Beeswax & More

Not all candle wax is the same. The wax decides how long a candle burns, how strongly it scents a room, how cleanly it burns and how it was made. Here is an honest, side-by-side look at the eight most common candle waxes, and why we pour every Ollie & Co. candle with 100% soy wax here in Vancouver, Canada.

Candle wax comparison table

Wax Made from Burn time Scent throw Soot Vegan Renewable Good to know
Soy wax Ollie & Co. · 100% soy Hydrogenated soybean oil Long, slow burn (lower melt point) Strong cold throw, good hot throw in containers Low (with a trimmed wick) Yes Yes, plant-based and biodegradable Ideal for container candles. The surface can look rough or show white "frosting" after burning, which is normal and harmless. Needs the right wick size.
Paraffin Petroleum by-product Shorter, faster burn Very strong hot and cold throw Higher, more visible black soot if the wick is untrimmed Yes No, fossil-fuel based Smooth, uniform look and predictable burn. The most common and least expensive wax, used in most mass-market candles.
Beeswax Wax made by honeybees Longest, slowest burn Light; holds less added fragrance, natural honey scent Very low No Yes Premium price. Often used unscented or lightly scented, and for pillars and tapers.
Coconut apricot Coconut and apricot kernel oils (often blended with other waxes) Long, slow burn Very good, creamy throw Low Usually; check the blend Mostly; depends on what it is blended with A luxury-tier wax. Check the label, since some blends include paraffin.
Soy-coconut blend Soy wax blended with coconut wax Long, slow burn Good to very good Low Yes Yes Smoother tops and less frosting than straight soy, at a higher cost.
Soy-coconut-beeswax blend Soy, coconut and beeswax Long; beeswax firms the wax and slows the burn Good Low No (contains beeswax) Yes A firmer, premium blend. Not suitable if you want a vegan candle.
Gel Mineral oil thickened with a polymer resin Long Moderate; limited fragrance options Low to moderate Yes No, petroleum-based Clear and jelly-like. Burns hot, so it needs a thick, heat-safe container.
Palm wax Hydrogenated palm oil Medium to long Good Low Yes Yes, but linked to deforestation unless RSPO-certified Known for crystal or feathered patterns on pillar candles.

Burn time, throw and soot depend on more than the wax alone: the wick size, fragrance load, container and how you care for the candle all matter. Always trim the wick to about 1/4 inch before lighting.

Which wax is best for you?

  • Clean burn and a renewable, vegan candle: soy wax
  • The strongest, most immediate scent at the lowest price: paraffin
  • A natural, honey-scented candle with the longest burn: beeswax (not vegan)
  • A creamy look with a strong throw: coconut and soy-coconut blends

Whatever the wax, a well-made candle comes down to the right wick, a balanced fragrance load and careful pouring.

Candle wax myths

"Soy candles don't smell strong"

Not true. Scent strength depends on the fragrance quality, how much fragrance the wax holds and the wick. A well-made soy candle fills a room. Our customers often tell us how strong and true-to-life our scents are.

"All paraffin candles are bad"

Paraffin is a petroleum by-product and is not renewable, but a well-made paraffin candle can still perform well. Many people simply prefer a plant-based wax like soy.

"Natural wax burns perfectly"

No wax is perfect. Soy can burn a little differently, take longer to reach a full melt pool and look less uniform on top. That is normal for natural wax, not a fault. Let the wax melt to the edges on the first burn to prevent tunnelling.

Why we use soy wax

Every Ollie & Co. candle is hand-poured in Vancouver, Canada with 100% soy wax, a phthalate-free fragrance and a lead-free cotton wick. We chose soy because it is plant-based and vegan, burns slowly and cleanly in a container, and carries our true-to-life scents beautifully, from Raincouver® to Granville Island. Our ingredients are vegan, cruelty-free and paraben-free.

Planning a custom or corporate order? We can also pour soy-wax blends, such as soy-coconut, on request.

Shop soy candles   or start with the Discovery Set →

Candle wax FAQ

Are Ollie & Co. candles 100% soy?

Yes. Every Ollie & Co. candle in our shop is poured with 100% soy wax. For custom and corporate orders, we can also pour soy-wax blends on request.

Is soy wax better than paraffin?

Soy wax is plant-based, renewable and burns more slowly than paraffin, with low soot when the wick is trimmed. Paraffin is a petroleum by-product that is less expensive and gives a very strong hot throw, but it is not renewable and tends to produce more visible soot.

Which candle wax burns the longest?

Beeswax generally burns the longest, followed by soy and coconut-based waxes. Paraffin usually burns the fastest.

Which candle wax has the strongest scent?

Paraffin and coconut-based blends usually give the strongest hot throw. Soy wax gives a strong cold throw and a good hot throw in container candles. Beeswax holds the least added fragrance.

Are soy candles vegan?

Yes. Soy wax comes from soybeans, so soy candles are vegan as long as no beeswax is blended in. All Ollie & Co. candles are vegan and cruelty-free.

Why does my soy candle have white spots on top?

That is called frosting. It is a natural crystallisation of soy wax and is purely cosmetic. It does not affect how the candle burns or smells.

Do soy candles smell weaker than paraffin?

Not necessarily. Paraffin often gives a stronger instant throw, but a well-made soy candle with a good fragrance load and the right wick has an excellent scent throw.

Is palm wax eco-friendly?

Palm wax is renewable, but palm oil production is linked to deforestation. Look for RSPO-certified palm wax if you choose it.

What is gel candle wax made of?

Gel wax is mineral oil thickened with a polymer resin. It is petroleum-based, burns hot and needs a thick, heat-safe container.

Smell the difference

Find your soy candle.

Not sure where to start? Try three 2oz candles in the Discovery Set, or talk to us about custom and corporate orders, including soy-wax blends.

Start with the Discovery SetCustom & corporate orders