Soy Candles – Why They Are Healthier and Safer Than Paraffin Candles

A guide based on scientific research for lovers of natural scents and a healthy home.

If you love the cozy atmosphere of a home hearth, you probably know that scented candles create mood and comfort. But have you ever wondered whether the type of wax affects your health and the air quality in your home? In this article, we explain why soy candles may be a better choice than traditional paraffin candles, drawing on the findings of the scientific study “Combustion characteristics of candles made from hydrogenated soybean oil” published in the Journal of the American Oil Chemists’ Society.

Plant-Based or Petrochemical Material?

Soy wax is made from hydrogenated soybean oil — a plant-based, renewable, and biodegradable material. In contrast, paraffin comes from the distillation of crude oil, a non-renewable fossil resource.

Even at the production stage, this puts soy candles in a more eco-friendly and safer position.

Scientific Study: “Combustion characteristics of candles made from hydrogenated soybean oil”

One of the few scientific studies comparing the combustion properties of different types of candles is “Combustion characteristics of candles made from hydrogenated soybean oil” by Rezaei, Wang, and Johnson, published in 2002 in the Journal of the American Oil Chemists’ Society.

Key Findings from the Study:

✔ Paraffin candles produced a significant amount of soot, which can reduce indoor air quality.
✔ Soy wax candles produced virtually no soot during burning.
✔ Formaldehyde — a potentially harmful volatile compound — was detected in the smoke of paraffin candles, while in soy candles its levels were comparable to the control sample (blank), indicating no significant emissions from the combustion of soy wax itself.
✔ Soy candles burned more slowly and required less air, resulting in a longer burn time and cleaner combustion.

These results show that natural soy wax offers cleaner burning and fewer emissions of soot and toxins than paraffin, which is especially important for anyone looking to maintain healthy indoor air.

Cleaner Air and Less Soot

The study confirms what many candle lovers observe in practice: soy candles burn cleanly with minimal soot, meaning less black residue on furniture and walls and better overall air quality.

Soot and fine particles can settle in rooms and irritate the respiratory system — especially for sensitive individuals, allergy sufferers, and young children.

Longer and More Relaxed Burn Time

Soy wax has a lower melting point than paraffin, which means:

✔ The candle burns more slowly and evenly,
✔ The fragrance diffuses gently over a longer period,
✔ The candle becomes more efficient.

This means your candle not only smells wonderful but also provides longer moments of relaxation and comfort.

Who Are Soy Candles For?

Soy candles are particularly suitable if:

✔ You care about healthy air in your home,
✔ You have a sensitive respiratory system or allergies,
✔ You want cleaner aromatic moments without soot,
✔ You value natural and eco-friendly products.

The study “Combustion characteristics of candles made from hydrogenated soybean oil” showed that soy candles burn much cleaner than paraffin candles, with minimal soot and formaldehyde emissions — making them the ideal choice for homes where comfort, health, and aesthetics matter.

If you care about the atmosphere in your interior and want to avoid unnecessary air pollutants, soy candles are a conscious choice for you and your loved ones.