Coconut Wax vs Soy Wax: What’s the Difference?

Imagine coming home at the end of a long day and needing a way to de-stress, so you reach for your favorite candle as a form of self-care. Research has shown that there are many benefits to the aromatherapy properties of candles. In the United States alone, there are over 10,000 different candle scents to choose from.

But did you know there are also different types of wax candles to choose from as well? You may not know about the differences and benefits of coconut wax vs soy wax, but this guide can help you choose the right wax for your candle needs.

If you're interested in learning about coconut wax vs soy wax, then keep reading this blog post for further information. 

Coconut Wax vs Soy Wax: What to Consider

When considering the difference between coconut and soy wax, there are several factors you will need to take into account first. Variables like cost, scent, wax quality, and soot production are essential facets of choosing the right candle.

You'll also want to consider the melting point of the wax, its overall burn time, and the sustainability options available. This not only ensures you are getting your money's worth, but also that you are making a conscientious choice for the environment.

With these areas in mind, let's take a look at our first consideration below on the cost difference between coconut wax vs soy wax.

Coconut Wax vs Soy Wax: Cost Difference

For some, the choice of whether they opt for using coconut or soy wax can come down to the cost. When examining the coconut wax vs soy wax differences, you will find that coconut wax is much more expensive than soy wax.

In some places, coconut wax candles could be as much as double the price over the soy wax option. Comparable price point equivalent candles are those made of both soy wax and coconut wax, which makes these blended candle types a slightly more affordable option.

Soy wax has a greater availability due to the mass production of soybeans and is cheaper to manufacture than coconut wax. But where you're saving money in one aspect, you could also be sacrificing other areas of your candle's overall quality. 

The next variable of coconut wax vs soy wax to consider is its scent profile. 

Coconut Wax vs Soy Wax: Scent Throw

Scented candles are named for their ability to exude beautiful scents. This is known as its scent throw.

For the most aromatic-smelling candle, you can't go wrong with coconut wax since it allows more of a candle's scent and essential oils to burst forth. You can create a truly unique and fragrant aromatherapy experience. 

Soy wax does not allow as much scent to come through as easily and requires the addition of more scented oils to boost its smell. It is much denser, therefore it will take longer for the scent to disperse through the room.

Coconut wax is lighter and the scent disperses quicker once it is lit. This is known as the hot scent throw. It requires less fragrance to achieve the right amount of scent. 

The scent throw doesn't just apply to the candle when it is lit, however. If you've ever taken the lid off to smell a candle on a store shelf, this is called the cold scent throw.

If the whole purpose of buying a scented candle is to experience the richest fragrance possible, then in the case of coconut wax vs soy wax, coconut wax is the clear winner. It just makes scents.

Coconut Wax vs Soy Wax: Quality of Wax

1 billion pounds of wax are produced by the U.S candle industry each year. The top wax choice is paraffin wax because of its availability and affordability, but since it is a petroleum by-product, it is not the safest or most quality type of wax. 

Comparing coconut wax vs soy wax quality finds that soy wax tends to have a crumblier appearance. Coconut wax provides a more solid uniform build of the candle within its container and gives off a better aesthetic look. It has a creamier and airier texture by comparison.

Coconut Wax vs Soy Wax: Soot Production

A major factor in deciding between using coconut wax vs soy wax candles is their soot production factor. Unlike paraffin candles, which produce much more soot as a result of their petroleum base, coconut wax and soy wax are cleaner burning wax candle options because of their natural plant-based products.

Soot is that black residue that can form in the environment around the burning candle that accumulates in the air. It is also in that plume of black smoke that rises from a candle's wick when extinguishing the flame.

Soy wax candles can still produce small amounts of soot when lit, but coconut wax candles are the cleanest burning option of all. Coconut wax is non-toxic and it eliminates all soot particles from being released when lit. So for the healthiest scented candle possible, choose a coconut wax option.

Coconut Wax vs Soy Wax: Melting Point

Because of its denseness, soy wax does have a higher melting point, which means it is more solid and can last longer when burning. 

Coconut wax is much lighter and has a much lower melting point. The possibility of it melting in warmer temperatures even before it is lit can be a problem in hotter climates and summer months.

Shipping pure coconut wax candles in hot temperatures can make the wax more likely to melt if it is not combined with another sturdier wax type. You must be mindful to give your coconut wax candles proper care and prevent them from exposure to high temperatures when they're not in use.

For those living in more temperate areas, you should keep this factor in mind so that you can be sure you are getting the most life out of your coconut wax candles. 

Coconut Wax vs Soy Wax: Burn Time

42% of candle users choose the living room as the prime location for burning their candles. This is followed by the kitchen, with an 18% preference, and the bedroom with a 13% usage rate.

But no matter where you choose to burn your candles, the one thing everyone can agree on is they want to maximize their candle's overall burning time. The longer a candle burns, the more the user feels they've gotten their money's worth for it.

While coconut wax vs soy wax candles both yield slower wax burning properties, a coconut wax candle burns just a tiny bit slower than its soy counterpart. If all of the other areas are considered equal between using coconut or soy wax candles, the slightly longer-lasting qualities of coconut wax may be just enough for some to fully tip the scales in its favor.

Coconut Wax vs Soy Wax: Sustainability

Another factor that is often overlooked by some is a wax candle's sustainability and eco-friendly attributes. For those who are environmentally conscious though, the issue of coconut wax vs soy wax is a big issue.

Like any good steward of the planet, knowing where the ingredients in your products come from is vital to ensuring you have the best quality sourced items and that you are still mindful of the Earth's resources. Paraffins are harmful to the environment because of the way they are chemically processed, but natural ingredients that aren't ethically sourced can also cause damage.

There is concern that while soybeans are seen as a bountiful and sustainable crop, the need to grow larger and larger amounts of them can lead to deforestation and the destruction of natural environments over time. There are also factors like pesticide use and the methods that go into harvesting and processing them that can cause damage to the surrounding areas.

Coconut wax is made from the pressed meat of the coconut. There is less processing that needs to be done to produce this product. Coconuts also do not require as much maintenance, resources, or pesticide use to grow. They are a renewable crop with a high sustainability factor, and there is less land use and waste.

So, while both types of wax are natural plant-based forms, as opposed to the synthetic paraffin wax form, coconut wax takes the prize in the sustainability category.

Which Is the Overall Best Wax Option?

Ultimately, the types of wax candles you pick are up to you. But now that you know more about the difference between coconut and soy wax, you can choose the right wax for your optimum candle needs. 

While the results of each category of candle wax factor tend to heavily favor coconut wax, it doesn't have to be an either-or coconut wax vs soy wax decision. That's right. You can have the best of both worlds with a soy and coconut blend candle. 

A Coconut Soy Candle utilizes the benefits of both types of wax together. You get the cost-effective qualities and durability of soy wax with the long-lasting, clean-burning, full fragrance, and sustainability properties of a coconut wax candle. It's an all-in-one hybrid candle with 65 hours of burn time in a re-usable coconut shell.

Choose from beautifully scented varieties like flowery rose, warm and woodsy amber, and light and citrusy lemon. Natural oils give clean and gentle scent profiles.

Find Natural Vegan Skincare Products and More from Hebe Botanica 

If you care about the benefits and differences of coconut wax vs soy wax in your candles, you probably care about quality and ingredients in other areas, like your skincare products. And why shouldn't you? You deserve the best.

At Hebe Botanica, you can find quality products that are good for you and the planet. We don't use harsh chemicals like parabens, phthalates, sulfates, or pesticides. We're also Leaping Bunny Certified, so our products aren't tested on animals or made from any animal ingredients.

Browse our full line of premium holistic skincare and other natural-based products on our website today.