Wax blends: what are the best combinations?

Have you ever wondered: what would happen to my candle if I mixed these two waxes? Would the result be a masterpiece, or would it become a colossal disaster destined for the annals of history?

If this question has crossed your mind at least once during your candle-making sessions, then you're in the right place! Let's take a look at some combinations of soy and the most popular waxes currently on the market, along with their pros and cons:

-        BLENDS FOR CONTAINERS and MOLDS:

🪔SOY WAX + SHEA/COCONUT/OLIVE WAX: Shea wax and coconut wax for containers are both distinguished by their low melting points (particularly important for the former) and their "creamy" consistency, resulting from their high vegetable oil content. Both combinations will soften the soy wax crystals, reducing the likelihood of irregularities forming on the surface of the candle when pouring.

They also lower the wax's melting point, facilitating the melting of the candle and the diffusion of the scent (which is mainly due to the fragrance released by the melted portion of the candle)

Se usate in una percentuale elevata (intorno al 40-50%) queste combinazioni sono particolarmente ottimali in caso di creazione di candele da massaggio (per la loro consistente “cremosità” e basso punto di fusione) ma, se usate in percentuali ridotte (10-15%) possono dare anche un valido aiuto per ottenere una superficie il più possibile levigata già alla prima colata!

Nelle cere per stampi, la cera di oliva è un'ottima alleata per ridurre il rischio di frosting (grazie alla sua resistenza naturale contro questo problema) e le rotture durante l'estrazione delle candele. Può aumentare anche leggermente la resistenza al calore delle miscele, anche se non allo stesso livello della stearina.

So, in summary:

😺 PROS:

Reduces the risk of cracks on the surface of container candles; 

Lower melting point and therefore easier melting of the wax, which in turn facilitates the diffusion of the scent in container candles;

Reduced risk of cracking and frosting in molded candles;

😿CONS:

Increased susceptibility of candles to summer heat;

In some cases, the high vegetable oil content (in container waxes) could cause the wicks to bend excessively, disrupting combustion;

 

🪔SOY WAX + STEARIN: Your best ally against the heat! This combination is not particularly recommended for container candles due to the high crystallinity of stearin, which will compromise the natural crystallinity of soy wax. This will increase the risk of frosting, poor adhesion of the wax to the glass, and the possibility of cavities in the candle. On the other hand, in small amounts (10-15%) it can be very useful for reducing the susceptibility of candles to summer heat, especially in molded candles! 

This combination can also smooth the surface of the candle after the first burn (reducing the rough effect that can sometimes be very unsightly). 

😺PROS:

Greater resistance of candles to summer heat;

Possibility of achieving a smoother surface effect after the first burn;

😿CONS:

Increased risk of frosting due to the crystallinity of stearin;

Lower wax adhesion to the container (in container candles);

Possibility of air pockets in the candle.

🪔SOY WAX + BEESWAX: This combination is not recommended if large amounts of beeswax (40-50%) are added, but it can be beneficial if 10-15% is added to the mixture.

Beeswax is unique in that it's an excellent binder within candles, which means it offers similar benefits to the soy + coconut/shea/olive combination, but without the downside (at least in summer) of lowering the melting point. 

In molded candles, it can also significantly increase the candles' resistance to breakage and reduce the risk of frosting!

On the other hand, beeswax requires special wicks to burn properly (like our LK and Cervino BK wicks), which aren't optimal for use in container candles. 

Furthermore, beeswax is among the most expensive waxes on the market, which could quickly drive up production costs!

😺PROS:

All the benefits of the soy + coconut/shea/olive combination, but without the lower melting point;

Reduced risk of frosting

Reduced risk of breakage;

😿CONS:

High risk of poor burning in container candles.

High cost of beeswax.

🪔SOY WAX + PARAFFIN: Combining soy and paraffin (in a 10-20% ratio) is clearly not recommended for those seeking the most natural candles possible, but it certainly provides significant benefits, with some side effects, particularly:

😺PROS:

Reduced risk of cracks on the candle surface;

Generally more even burning with little residue;

Slightly increased resistance to summer heat (if using a high-melting point paraffin);

😿CONS:

Paraffin is not a natural product;

Slightly increased risk of smoke formation during burning.

In short, mixing multiple waxes can improve the appearance of your candles and differentiate your product from the competition. However, it will always require extensive additional testing (to find the optimal wick and casting temperatures) and careful consideration of the pros and cons of each combination! It is therefore an important step to evaluate carefully!