Soy and beeswax are both natural waxes, one made from soybeans and the other by bees, and both burn cleaner than paraffin. The short version of soy vs beeswax candles: beeswax is harder, lasts longer and holds fine detail, while soy is softer, takes scent and colour well and costs less. Which one is better depends on what the candle has to do.
We use both in our North Vancouver studio, sometimes on their own and sometimes blended. This is how they compare, and how we decide which wax goes into which piece.
Soy vs beeswax at a glance
- Where it comes from: soy wax is made from soybean oil. Beeswax is made by honeybees and collected from the comb.
- Melting point: soy usually melts somewhere around 46 to 57°C, depending on the blend. Beeswax melts higher, at about 62 to 64°C.
- Hardness: beeswax is noticeably harder and denser. Soy feels softer, almost creamy.
- Burn time: because it’s harder and melts hotter, beeswax normally outlasts the same amount of soy.
- Scent: beeswax smells faintly of honey on its own. Soy is close to neutral, so any fragrance you add comes through clearly.
- Colour: beeswax is naturally golden, though it can be filtered lighter. Soy starts out white and takes colour evenly.
- Price: beeswax costs a lot more per kilo.
Which burns cleaner?
Both burn cleaner than paraffin, which is made from petroleum. That said, the wick and the way you burn the candle matter at least as much as the wax. A long, untrimmed wick or a flame sitting in a draft will smoke no matter what the candle is made of.
You’ll also see claims that beeswax candles clean the air by releasing negative ions. It gets repeated a lot, but we haven’t seen good evidence for it, so we don’t say it. What we will say is that a well-made natural wax candle with a trimmed wick makes very little soot.
Which holds detail better?
For us, this is the question that matters most. A face, a strand of hair or a row of stars in relief has to make it through the mould, the hand finishing and then years in a warm living room.
Beeswax is harder and keeps a crisp edge. Soy is softer and easier to work, but very fine detail can soften over time if the room runs warm. That’s why some of our pieces are beeswax or a blend for strength, and others are pure soy.
Beeswax answers the tool like hard wood: it holds a sharp edge, but it does not forgive mistakes. Soy is softer and more patient, and it takes colour beautifully, which is why the Genesis figures are soy. For tall pieces or deep carving I blend the two, so the piece gets the strength of beeswax and the finish of soy.
Arian Karami, sculptor and founder of Titan Candles
Soy vs beeswax for scent
If you want a scented candle, soy is usually the better base. It’s neutral and gives off fragrance well at a lower temperature. Beeswax already has a faint honey smell, which some people love and others feel fights with any added scent.
All our candles come unscented, in Wild Lavender or in Sun Peach. Want something else? Put it in the order notes.
What we use and why
The Genesis Collection, including Nyx, Selene and Helios, is made in soy wax. Soy takes colour evenly, which matters when a piece is obsidian black, deep ocean blue or crimson, and it carries scent well.
The hand-carved, serial-numbered pieces like Eronox and Kronos can be beeswax, soy or a blend. Arian chooses based on the carving and the size of the piece. A 70cm sculpture needs a different structure than a 30cm one.
Caring for each wax
- Beeswax sometimes develops a whitish film called bloom. It’s natural and harmless; wipe it off gently with a soft, dry cloth.
- Soy is softer, so keep soy pieces out of direct sun and away from heaters to protect the shape and the colour.
- For both, trim the wick to about 5mm before you light it and keep burns to 3 or 4 hours. The full routine is in our candle care guide, and if the burn goes uneven, see how to fix candle tunneling.
Quick answers
Are beeswax candles better than soy?
Not across the board. Beeswax lasts longer and holds detail. Soy carries scent and colour better and costs less. It comes down to what you want from the candle.
Is soy wax toxic?
Soy wax is generally considered a clean-burning natural wax. The usual rules apply to any candle: air the room, trim the wick and keep it out of drafts.
Why are beeswax candles more expensive?
Bees only make so much wax, and collecting and filtering it takes work. Soy comes from a crop that’s grown on a huge scale.
Curious how the wax turns into a sculpture? Read how our sculptural candles are made.