Everything you've ever wanted to know about candle wax.
With over 90% of your candle being made of wax, finding the right wax for your candle is crucial. Now, we opt to use only plant based waxes, but there are many different options out there,
What is the difference between natural wax and paraffin wax candles?
There are many differences between natural wax and paraffin wax. Both are very popular with candle makers, with a lot of mainstream candle brands opting for paraffin wax (also called mineral wax). However, at The Flora Lab, we opt for natural, plant based waxes which we tailor to every candle.
Firstly, all natural wax comes from plant based sources or unrefined beeswax. They are extracted from plants (soy wax comes from soybeans, coconut wax comes from coconut and so forth). All the plant based wax that we use is cruelty free and sustainably sourced using verified cultivation methods. Plant based wax tends to have a lower melting point than some paraffin waxes, therefore it more likely to sweat or melt when the weather is warming. Plant based waxes also tend to require more scented fragrance oils or essential oils, which comes at a greater cost.
Paraffin wax is derived from crude oil (petroleum) and therefore is not renewable, causing greater harm to the environment. However, they tend to give off a greater scent throw with less fragrance oils in comparison to their natural wax counterparts, making paraffin wax a more popular choice with big brands where margins are considered more important than the environmental effects.
Are paraffin waxes toxic?
Contrary to what the internet would have you believe, paraffin waxes are not toxic. They are however non-renewable as they are sourced from crude oil (petroleum). They are considered safe and millions are sold every year. However, the raw materials are not sustainably soured, placing considerable stress on the environment.
What wax do you use?
At The Flora Lab, we only use plant based, natural-wax for our candles. We tend to use coconut, rapeseed and soy and we tailor these to all of our candles based on the flash point of the scented oils. You can find what wax your candle is made out of on your box by looking at the top of the scent label or checking the individual scent page on the website.
What wax is my candle made out of?
You can find what natural, plant based wax your candle is made out by looking at the sticker on the top of your box. Underneath the scent name, you’ll see the unique plant based wax blend, bespoke to that candle. You can also check the individual scent page online, or just ask us directly. As we hand make all of your candles, we know exactly what goes into them.
What makes your candles so special?
At The Flora Lab, we’re obsessed with candle wax. As over 90% of your candle is wax, it’s really important to get the right wax to match with your wick and scented oils to ensure a scent-sational, sustainable burn. All of our candles have a plant based wax which is unique to that candle, and you can find out what natural-wax your candle is made out of by checking the top of your candle box. We use coconut, rapeseed, soy and rice wax here at The Flora Lab. This is because some oils work best with waxes with higher melting points (such as soy and rice wax) whereas coconut wax works really well with citrus based blends.
What candle waxes are natural and what aren’t?
All plant based and beeswax are considered natural. This is because they are derived from plants and tend to be more sustainable than their paraffin or mineral wax counterparts. All of the wax we use at The FLora Lab is sourced sustainably from
Is the candle wax you use vegan
All of the candle wax we use at The Flora Lab is vegan. However, our beeswax pillar candles are not.
What wax are your botanical wax melts made out of?
All of our botanical wax melts are made out of a soy wax. This is created from soybeans. This is because there is no wick in a botanical wax melt, so there is less pressure on finding the perfect wax tailored to each individual scent, as the direct fuel source has been removed.
We find that soy wax has a higher melting point than other plant based waxes which is an important factor when considering wax melts, as they need to be able to held (and not melt in your hands).
Is your wax sustainable
All of our plant based wax comes from sustainably sourced suppliers, who focus on 100% regenerative programmes and 0% deforestation. We also emphasise that our supply chains promote ethical sourcing, health and safety and improve the livlihoods of farmers and their families.
Is soy wax good for the planet?
Soy wax is derived from soybeans. This is a regenerative plant and is sustainably sourced, ensuring it is good for the environment.
Is your soy wax cruelty free?
Our soy wax is cruelty free.
I don’t like soy wax, what other waxes do you use?
If you want to avoid using soy wax, we have many other alternatives available, including coconut, rapeseed and beeswax.
Are your candles plant based?
All of our candles and botanical wax melts are plant based and are suitable for vegans. However, please be aware that our beeswax products and soy derived room diffusers are not. For any other products, please contact us to find out their plant based or vegan status.
How long do natural wax candles burn compared to paraffin candles?
There are many factors which dictate the length of a candle, including the weight and depth of wax, wax type, scented oil percentage, wax use, length of burn time.
What are the benefits of using natural wax candles?
Soy wax, coconut wax and rapeseed wax candles tend to burn cleaner than their paraffin wax counterparts. This ensures there won’t be sooting or dark smoke emitting from your candles. They are also plant based therefore more environmentally friendly as they come from sustainable sources whereas paraffin candles are nonrenewable and have a greater negative impact on the environment.
How do you ensure your candles are eco-friendly?
We prioritise safe supply chains and regenerative growing processes to ensure the sustainability of all of our products. We exclusively use plant based waxes, including coconut wax, soy wax and rapeseed wax.
What is the process of hand-pouring candles?
All of our candles are hand poured by our team, so we know exactly what goes into our candles. We test our candles for months, finding the perfect combination of wick, plant based wax and fragrance, before we finally launch our candles.
Each candle is wicked, before the infusion of scented oils and melted plant based wax is added to the jar. These are then left to set, given a final top up, before we lock them away for up to two weeks to allow them to cure.
How long do your candles typically last?
Our natural-wax candles last for different times depending on a few factors, but typically we say:
Single Wick 180ml Candle: 30-35 hours burn time.
Double 2 wick 500ml Candle: 80-90 hours burn time.
Botanical Wax Melts (made with soy wax): up to 100hours burn time.
Are your candles safe to use around pets?
Like humans, our furry friends may be allergic to anything, and sometimes it is simply a case to try something in a controlled environment to see if there are any possible unknown allergens. But from a compliance point of view, all of our natural-wax candles are safe to be used around pets.
How should I properly care for and maintain my natural wax candle?
We’re passionate about candle care, that’s why when you buy one of our Flora Lab candles, we’ve popped all your Candle with Care information directly on the back of the box.
There are many steps you can take to protect your candle and prolong its life, but here are our top tips:
- Always trim your wick to 5mm before each burn. We recommend using wick trimmers to capture the carbon wick.
- Keep the lid on between burns to trap the scent and prevent any debris falling into the candle.
- Always achieve a full melt pool on your first burn- this is where the candle wax has fully melted to the sides. For all burns, burn between 2hours and 4hours- do not exceed four hours as your glass will become too hot and your wick pool too deep. (Not only is this a fire hazard but you may also bun off some of the fragrance oils lower down the candle).
- Keep our direct sunlight, to avoid the candle sweating or out of draughts to avoid uneven burning.
- And the golden rule: never, ever leave your candle unattended.
Check out our page on candle care here
What is the best way to store natural wax candles?
Like perfume, your natural-wax candle will benefit from being stored with the lid on, in a cool dark space. This will ensure that your oils will stay protected from other environmental factors.
Can I reuse or repurpose your candle jars or containers?
Ofcourse, we have specifically chosen our glass jars and bottles to ensure they can be re-used and upcycled. We’d love to see how you’ve given your candle jars a new life over on our Instagram.
Check out our page here where we’ve given you some upcycling ideas.