Beeswax vs Soy Candles: What the Research Shows

Beeswax vs soy candles comes down to what the wax is, how it burns and what the wick and scent add. This guide covers the one study we found that tested both, what it did not test, and how to choose.

We sell both: Natural Beeswax Candles and the Essential Oil Soy Votive Candle, so read this with that in mind. For more on beeswax alone, see our beeswax candles guide; for indoor air, see our indoor air guide.

What Is the Difference Between Beeswax and Soy Candles?

The wax. Beeswax is made by honeybees, while soy wax is hydrogenated soybean oil that candle makers call soywax.

• Soy wax: The 2002 study describes it as a renewable alternative to paraffin made from hydrogenated soybean oil.
• Beeswax: Our listing describes our beeswax candles as 100% pure beeswax with no paraffin blending.
• What a label can hide: A candle sold as soy may be blended with other waxes. Our soy votive listing says soy wax but does not say whether it is pure, so we cannot tell you more.

Which Burns Cleaner, Beeswax or Soy?

In the one study we found that tested both, they behaved alike. Researchers at Iowa State University reported that soywax candles had burning properties similar to beeswax candles.

• Soot: The study found a considerable amount of soot from paraffin candles, but little or none from soywax candles.
• Formaldehyde: Small amounts were detected in the fumes of burning paraffin. Peaks from soy and beeswax candles were similar to or slightly higher than the blank.
• Limit: It was a 2002 lab test of plain candles. It did not test scented candles, essential oils or the candles we sell.

Are Beeswax and Soy Candles Better Than Paraffin?

On soot and formaldehyde, that study says yes for the candles it tested. It also found soywax candles burned at a significantly slower rate than paraffin and needed less air.

• Why wax matters: A 2014 chamber test of paraffin candles found that wax quality strongly influences emissions of particulate matter, aldehydes and aromatic compounds.
• What it does not show: That either wax is free of risk. Both studies measured emissions, and neither tested health outcomes.

Does the Wick Matter as Much as the Wax?

It can. Metal-core wicks are a documented source of lead and zinc, so the wick is part of what a candle releases whatever wax it uses.

• Lead wicks: The EPFL review of candle studies summarizes a 2000 study in which 5 of 14 metal-core candles pushed lead in a 50 m³ bedroom above the 1.5 µg/m³ US EPA guideline after two hours.
• Our listings: The beeswax listing says there are no synthetic wicks. The soy listing does not mention the wick. Neither names the wick material.

How Do You Choose Between a Beeswax and a Soy Candle?

Choose by what you can verify: the wax listed, the wick, the scent and the size. The research we found does not separate the two waxes, so these steps are general practice.

1. Read the wax line. Look for a stated wax. Paraffin blended in is not always obvious, so a listing that says pure or no paraffin blending tells you more.
2. Check the wick. Prefer a listing that names a wick material over one that says nothing, and avoid metal-core wicks.
3. Decide on scent. Beeswax candles are sold plain; our soy votives are scented with essential oils in 14 scents. Pick the one you want in the room.
4. Burn it with care. Keep the flame steady, ventilate the room and never leave a burning candle unattended.

What Do We Know About Our Beeswax and Soy Candles?

Only what the listings say. Both are made by Beelites. The beeswax candles are described as pure beeswax with no paraffin blending, in sizes listed by burn time from 8 to 150 hours, and the soy votive as a soy wax votive infused with essential oils.

• The soy listing: Plant-based soy wax, essential oils, no synthetic fragrance, in 14 scents.
• Not sourced: Both listings say the candles burn cleanly. We found no independent test of either candle, so we do not repeat that as fact.
• What they are not: A way to clean your air or a treatment for any health condition.

Should You Be Careful With Candles If You Have Asthma?

Yes, ask your doctor first. Particulate matter is a known trigger: the EPFL review cites the US EPA in saying it can worsen asthma and reduce lung function, and no candle burns without producing some.

Stop burning candles and get medical help if you develop wheezing, chest tightness or trouble breathing.

When Should You See a Doctor About Candle Smoke?

See a doctor if burning candles gives you headaches, coughing, a sore throat or irritated eyes, or if you have a heart or lung condition. Candles are a home product, not a health treatment.

This guide is information, not medical advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is beeswax or soy better for candles?

We found no study ranking one above the other. A 2002 lab study found soy wax candles burned with properties similar to beeswax candles, and both gave little or no soot compared with paraffin.

Do soy candles burn cleaner than paraffin?

In a 2002 lab study, paraffin candles produced considerable soot while soy wax candles produced little or none. That study tested plain candles, not scented ones.

Are soy candles always 100% soy?

No. A candle sold as soy may be blended with other waxes. Our soy votive listing says soy wax but does not state whether it is pure, so check the label.

Do beeswax or soy candles clean the air?

No study we found shows that. Any burning candle releases particles and gases, and a university review lists candles as a source of indoor air pollutants.

Are beeswax or soy candles safe for people with asthma?

Ask a doctor first. Candle burning produces particulate matter, which the US EPA links to worsened asthma, and no candle burns without producing some.

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