Home Fragrance & Candles Glossary Terms

Soy, Paraffin or Beeswax — What's the Difference in Candle Wax?

Paraffin is a petroleum-based wax that holds fragrance strongly and burns predictably, making it common in mass-market scented candles. Soy wax is a plant-based, renewable alternative that burns cooler and cleaner with less soot. Beeswax is a natural wax with a subtle honey scent and typically the longest burn time of the three, but usually the most expensive.

What Does Burn Time Mean for Candles?

Burn time is the manufacturer's estimated total number of hours a candle will burn before it's spent, and it depends on wax type, wick size and jar diameter rather than scent strength. Letting a candle burn long enough on first use for the wax to melt evenly across its full surface, and trimming the wick between burns, helps a candle reach closer to its stated burn time.