| Over the past ten years, scented soy candles have | | | | 3. Manufacturers of pure soy candles claim their |
| become a popular alternative to traditional paraffin | | | | product burns clean with no black soot, compared to |
| candles. Many manufacturers are capitalizing on the | | | | paraffin. According to the National Candle Association |
| green trend, touting a nontoxic candle that does not | | | | (NCA), smoke and soot emitted from a burning |
| produce soot. Another common claim is that soy | | | | candle is a direct result of the length of the wick, and |
| wax candles smell stronger than their paraffin | | | | any air currents or drafts that disturb the flame, not |
| counterparts. And finally, by purchasing soy products, | | | | the fragrance oil, type of wax or type of wick. |
| consumers are supporting American farmers. While | | | | 4. Pure soy candles are often more expensive than |
| these are all legitimate, well-made claims and good | | | | paraffin or blended wax candles. |
| selling points for a soy candle manufacturer, | | | | Paraffin candles have been enjoyed around the globe |
| consumers should have accurate information about | | | | for centuries. Reputable manufacturers use high |
| paraffin candles, and those made with wax blends | | | | quality food-grade paraffin, and while studies have |
| before jumping on the pure soy bandwagon. Some | | | | tried to discredit paraffin wax candles, the NCA |
| disadvantages associated with 100% soy wax are: | | | | website states that paraffin is approved by the US |
| 1. Soy wax does produce a great "fragrance throw" | | | | Food and Drug Association for use in food, |
| (how much fragrance is given off when a candle is | | | | cosmetics, and medical applications. |
| lit), however, certain fragrance oils smell different in | | | | A blended wax combination is turning out to be an |
| pure soy wax, changing the fragrance notes that are | | | | excellent alternative to a puritan approach for |
| emitted during during a burning session. | | | | scented jar candles. Manufacturers are discovering |
| 2. Pure soy jar candles often have a "tunnel" effect, | | | | that high-quality, food-grade paraffin wax provides a |
| which happens when an even layer of melted wax | | | | clean, even burn and an excellent fragrance throw. A |
| doesn't develop within a burning candle. The candle | | | | soy wax component aids in an even greater |
| burns down the center, leaving excess and wasted | | | | fragrance throw, and provides more burn hours than |
| wax on the inside of the jar. The soy wax in a jar | | | | a pure paraffin candle. Costs can be kept in check, so |
| candle may also look bubbly or lumpy when the | | | | consumers get everything they want from a scented |
| melted wax has cooled, which can be aesthetically | | | | candle: a clean and even burn, amazing fragrance |
| unpleasing. | | | | throw, extended burn hours and a good value. |