Sustainability and environmental impact are real concerns at Shay and Company. We diligently source our materials with both of those concerns in mind. We prioritize US grown crops over those that can be sourced from overseas to help support US farmers, and to reduce transportation side-effects. We prioritize wild crafted and certified organic over greenhouse grown or non-organic ingredients. Paraffin wax and petroleum-based ingredients have been a difficult ingredient group for us to bring in due to the damage that the petroleum industry creates in this world, both economically and environmentally.
Knowing this pain point of the petroleum industry, we also acknowledge the benefits of paraffin, specifically in the candle making industry. There are also a few cosmetic ingredients that are derived from petroleum sources that just don’t have 100% equal counterparts from the plant world. We have a select few of those, such as Sodium Benzoate, but we have worked with manufacturers who have done testing to ensure there is no residual petroleum in the finished product. That doesn’t negate that originally it was sourced from petroleum, but it does alleviate some of the concern with applying those ingredients topically.
Candle wax, as a wholesale supplier, is a difficult world to master without being willing to carry paraffin-based waxes. We have a select few waxes that we believe are great additions to candle making. They can make a difference in your finished candle, and they come from a company that does energy offsets to balance out the paraffin consumption.
When we made the decision to introduce these waxes, we wanted to educate ourselves on the true “benefits” to paraffin wax, and the true impact of paraffin versus plant-based waxes. As is usually the case, it is not just a straight-forward one is better than the other argument. Morally, as a consumer we prefer petroleum-free products, BUT we do love the effectiveness and ease of use of the natural preservatives we offer than contain sodium benzoate. We also believe deodorants that use ozokerite work better than those that don’t. It is a tricky part of the cosmetic industry- how do we balance high performing products with petroleum usage. You also cannot argue with the hot and cold throw of paraffin versus plant-based waxes.
As a little education, let’s dive into paraffin candle waxes versus plant-based candle waxes. This is not to persuade someone to use one or the other, it is simply a little education on how they are both made, and how they affect our industry and world. The choice to stay 100% plant based, or to include petroleum derived ingredients should be individual to each maker.
Plant based waxes, such as soy, coconut, palm and apricot, are all derived from initial food sources. Soy is one of the largest crops grown world-wide, and is used in everything from food sources, candles, and skincare to animal feed crops and bio-fuel production. Soy is one of the highest consumed foods across the globe. Soy as a food source also brings controversy when it comes to phytoestrogens and GMO content. All the soy products, for both cosmetics and candles, that Shay and Company carries are tested for GMO’s, and have statements regarding no detectable GMO’s in the finished product. There is, however, doubt as to the ability to actually grow non-GMO soy due to highly adulterated soy crops.
Is soy wax sustainable and non-GMO?
As a plus, soy is highly sustainable, regenerative and biodegradable. These are wonderful aspects of using 100% plant-based ingredients. This can be said about many plant-based ingredients, but it cannot be said about paraffin. Sustainability and biodegradability are fantastic and should be considered when making your choices on ingredients. We focus on this when it comes to packaging choices and packing material, so of course we also opt for this when selecting ingredients.
Soy and coconut waxes are also bi-product uses, meaning the plant is used for more than just candle wax production. Plant based waxes generally produce some sort of food, like soy meal, AND the oil, which means the plant serves multiple purposes.
Is paraffin sustainable and non-GMO?
Paraffin, which is derived from petroleum, is not sustainable, regenerative, nor bio-degradable. All negatives. The positive of paraffin, though, is that it is a secondary use of petroleum production and it is processed less than soy, coconut, and other plant oils to become candle wax. Paraffin contains less hydrogenation than soy wax or coconut wax. Paraffin also does not require crops, farming, fuel for farm equipment, harvesting, and added hydrogen. Does this offset the fact that it is from petroleum? Maybe not, but it is useful information so that you can make the most informed decision about your products.
How is soy or coconut wax made?
Plant based waxes are all made with the same basic format.
Agricultural land → soybean/coconut/apricot/olive/palm planting → crop production → harvesting → transportation → crushing → oil extraction → oil refining → hydrogenation → finishing/blending → plant-based candle wax
Plant based waxes are generally made from an oil where the rest of the plant was used as a food source. An example is soy, which when extracted makes soy meal and soy oil. Apricot wax is an upcycled ingredient, meaning they use the fruit of the apricots for food, then they crush the seeds to extract oil which is then used to make skincare oil or candle wax, then that seed can actually be ground and used as an exfoliant or a feed crop.
Olive wax, which is just hydrogenated olive oil, can also be considered an up cycled ingredient as the oil used is generally from the discarded olives after they have been used for food grade oils. Utilizing ingredients that serve more than one purpose in their lifespan is an excellent way to create more eco-friendly products.
What is hydrogenation?
Hydrogenation is the process used to take a liquid oil and make it a solid at room temperature. This process is done to more than just candle waxes. Any type of shortening (palm shortening, coconut shortening) are also liquid oils that have been vortexed and hydrogenated. Hydrogenation is a chemical process used to change the level of saturation of the fatty acids in the oil. This makes the oil thick and possess a much higher melt point. Plant based waxes take more hydrogen than paraffin wax. This is where soy and coconut oils have to undergo more processing to become a candle wax than paraffin does.
Is hydrogenation bad?
No, hydrogenation is not a bad or negative process. Hydrogen itself is not toxic to people, and when used to create hydrogenated fats, the hydrogen becomes part of the fatty acid structure. This process does take more energy, though, if that is part of your environmental equation.
How is paraffin wax made?
Crude petroleum → refining → lubricating-oil separated out → de-waxing → slack wax → de-oiling → purification/hydro finishing → fully refined paraffin wax
Waxy hydrocarbons are separated from petroleum during the manufacturing process. This step is done, regardless if paraffin is the end result, as these waxy hydrocarbons cannot be used in fuel lines. Petroleum is refined, separating out the waxy hydrocarbons. These are further separated to create lubrication level material versus waxy material that cannot be used for lubrication. Next, the material is de-waxed using solvents then the wax is cooled to separate and solidify the more waxy portions. The heavy, waxy product is called “slack wax.” Slack wax contains paraffin hydrocarbons, but it also contains oil. This is not paraffin. It still has more refining to go through to become paraffin.
Slack wax is then de-oiled (more refining). The final product here is then put through a process called hydro-finishing, which is much like it sounds. Hydrogen is introduced to both clean the wax of undesired impurities, and to create clean looking and smelling wax. Now you have paraffin. A fully refined, cleaned, hydrogenated by-product of petroleum.
Why do candle makers use paraffin over plant-based waxes?
Candle makers continue to use paraffin over soy for two main reasons:
· Extremely easy to use- paraffin waxes are much easier to use than plant-based waxes. You almost never have frosting or tunneling, and you can generally use as much or as little fragrance as you’d like.
· Excellent hot and cold throw- plant based waxes will always have less hot and cold throw than paraffin-based waxes. If you absolutely must have a candle that makes your entire house smell, you will not get that with 100% plant-based waxes.
What is paraffin wax?
Paraffin wax is a highly-refined, saturated hydrocarbon co-product from petroleum production. It is a very stable, consistent, easy-to-use candle wax option.
Is paraffin wax the same as crude oil?
No. Paraffin wax is a separated and highly refined hydrocarbon faction of petroleum. There are none of the impurities or actual petroleum in paraffin wax.
Is paraffin wax toxic?
Paraffin wax candles are not inherently toxic, any more than soy based candles are. Toxicity from candles really is about the substances generated, their amounts and concentration, during the burning of the candle.
Incorrect wick selection is what causes incomplete burning and soot. Poor combustion, or incomplete burning, is what causes toxicity from using candles. Having an inefficient wick (too large, too small, too much mushrooming, too long) can generate more soot, ultra fine particles, and PAH’s. Stressed, or flickering wicks, substantially affect pollutant emissions, and influence black carbon. Lead-core wicks, which we honestly don’t know why they are still made, should never be used in candles.
Does paraffin release formaldehyde when burned?
Formaldehyde is not necessarily due to the wax or the fragrance used, but rather it is a product of incomplete combustion of organic material. Trace amounts can be a by-product when any candle burns, regardless of the type of wax, and regardless if it is a scented candle or unscented candle. Burning a paraffin candle does not mean it will emit formaldehyde.
Fragrance formulation really matters when it comes to “clean” candles. Using excessively high fragrance loads can cause emission issues when burning. Using cheaper fragrances with high levels of solvents and additives can create emission issues when burning. Aldehyde emissions are more closely related to the quality of fragrance than the type of wax being used.
A candle cannot be deemed as “toxic” or “non-toxic” simply by the type of wax being used. All the factors, from wax type to wick to fragrance quality and quantity, all play a part in what is being emitted.
How to select your candle wax?
As a maker, the product you put out in the world is a direct representative of you. We always tell makers to chose options that they can stand behind and believe in, that way your finished product will feel good to you. This is often the response when people ask us what the “most popular” scents are. There is no such thing. You have a million fragrances out there because everyone likes something different. As a maker, you start by selecting scents that you like then you grow your options to include scents that match well with your ethos but aren’t necessarily ones you love.
Wax for your candles is the same. Some makers have very strong thoughts on paraffin waxes and absolutely do not want to use them. We love and support that, so we have a wide variety of plant based waxes to fill those needs.
We also have a customers that simply want a very strong smelling candle, that burns without any issues and is a one-pour candle. Those will need paraffin based waxes, so we have those to offer as well.
What type of wax/waxes you use, and the blend you create for your line is very personal. Here is how we guide customers when they are selecting a candle wax:
1- Do you have a preference for 100% plant based?
2- Do you have opinions on paraffin wax?
3- Do you have a lot of experience working with 100% soy waxes?
4- Is your end goal a very strong hot throw and easy to make candle or do you want something that is more “natural” and won’t be as strong or as easy, but makes beautiful candles?
From there we guide you on waxes. As a maker, you get to decide what matters to you, and we have options to satisfy all preferences.
At Shay and Company, we offer 100% soy, coconut/soy blends, para-soy blends and 100% paraffin. We believe in the suppliers that make these waxes, and we are fairly educated on how to guide makers in their wax selection. We are not master candle makers, so most of you will have way more nuanced information on candle making. Crafting candles takes time, patience and repeated testing. Starting out with the wax you love, is the first step.
New Arrival! TitanWax 52114 Coconut/Soy/Apricot/Paraffin Blend Luxury candle wax – excellent hot and cold throw |
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Truly effective skincare begins with exceptional ingredients. Shay and Company is a wholesale supplier of premium cosmetic ingredients for formulators, indie brands, spas, manufacturers, soap makers and beauty brands.
Store Hours
- Monday: Closed to walk-ins and will call pickups
- Tue – Thu: 9am – 5pm
- Friday: 9am – 4pm
- Sat & Sun: Closed
