Are Beeswax Candles Actually Worth the Extra Cost?
The hive-derived beeswax candles are more expensive than soy or paraffin candles because beeswax candle wax is more expensive to manufacture than soy and paraffin. The myth about them "cleaning the air" or giving off negative ions is not based on any scientific studies. What they do provide is a single-ingredient, naturally pure, honey-scented and slow burning wax that doesn't require the use of artificial fragrances. That's a matter of opinion, as it is with most anything else!
What Is This Natural Wax, and Where Does It Come From?
The beeswax produced by worker honeybees that is used to construct the honeycomb within a hive is called beeswax. It is a by-product of honey collection and is melted and filtered by beekeepers and then cast into candles, cosmetics, or coatings. The product from this type of hive has been used for candlemaking since the Middle Ages, and was particularly valued for its lack of the smoky flame and foul odor that animal-fat candles emitted at that time.
It is this history that is what gives this natural wax a certain reputation today. It was the better choice in the past, as the animal fat alternative, tallow, had a bad smell and heavy smoke when lit. This honeycomb wax did not pose these issues, and for those who had the money it became the preferred material for candle manufacture, and this reputation for quality persists today even centuries after the arrival of less expensive options that gained significant ground on the smoke and smell side.
Why Does It Cost So Much More?
This is the most common question I get asked and so here's the answer in the simplest terms.
Compared to the amount of honey produced, a beehive doesn't yield a lot of wax. It takes bees about eight pounds of honey to yield a pound of usable wax. That's the number that accounts for the vast majority of the price difference. Soy is a rapid-growing crop which is cut by the acre. This is a by-product of a different process produced by an insect in small amounts.
So if you are paying more for this natural wax, you're essentially paying for this inefficiency and the labor to harvest it, render it and filter it to a point where you can pour it. It's not because there is no reason. The material really is scarce as compared to soy or paraffin.
Does It Actually Purify the Air?
No, I say, and yes, it is a claim that is out there, everywhere, and I'm going to directly address that.
The more popular version of this myth claims that candles manufactured from hive wax generate negative ions that bind dust, allergens and pollutants out of the air. It is a claim that you'll see on hundreds of candle shop websites. None of them refer to any actual study as there is no study. But Colorado State University atmospheric chemist Dr. Delphine Farmer has been quoted as saying that, "There is no scientific evidence in the literature to support this wax releasing negative ions at all.
It's also claimed to burn much more clean than other waxes. That's exaggerated, too. European Candle Association conducted a large-scale emission study involving paraffin, soy, palm, stearin and beeswax candles. When additives were taken into account, it was found that the emissions were virtually the same for all the types of waxes. The National Candle Association has corroborated these findings, stating that there are no significant health or air-quality risks associated with using of any kind of candle on its own, provided that it is well made.
No, the lighting of one of these candles is not going to "clean" the air. Any candle, with wax of this type, or soy or paraffin, will add a little soot and particulates to a room.
What's the Real Advantage?
That's where it's becoming more telling, and more fascinating.
It's not the magical air-cleaning ability. But because the pure, unbleached form doesn't require any synthetic fragrance or additives to be good smelling. It has a warm natural aroma of honey all by itself, as soon as it is taken out of the honey for the first time. Much of what gives other candles a strong and sometimes overpowering odor, is the synthetic fragrance oil which is layered over them. For this natural wax skipper, the step is omitted if the skips are not scented.
It can also burn slightly slower and longer due to its density and melting point. This can mean a candle that will last longer than a comparable soy candle, which can even help offset some of the initial expense.
What I've Actually Noticed Testing It in My Own Workshop
I have melted and poured this hive wax a few times over the years, primarily out of curiosity as my primary line is a soy blend.
What I noticed first, is it's a lot more difficult to work with. It melts at a much higher temperature than soy, and requires a lot more heat and patience when pouring. It also contracts more when it cools down, so it can be separated from the side of the jar more easily than soy. It is not the result of a fault. It is a characteristic of the material and the resulting candle may appear slightly different than a typical smooth soy pour.
The fragrance is also different and it's definitely noticeable. This wax is very soft and warm, even when it is not scented, and it doesn't have the same softness and warmth as soy wax alone. I know what makes people love that.
Is It Better for Allergies or Sensitive Skin?
This one is more about what other ingredients are in the candle rather than the wax.
People who are sensitive to synthetic fragrances will be safer with pure, unscented fragrances, as there is nothing added that is synthetic. However, a scented candle with a high amount of added fragrance oils has the same fragrance risk, irrespective of the base material. A reaction with the wax itself isn't usually the cause of the reaction. The extra scents are typically.
When shopping for this type of wax because of allergies or sensitivities, rather than thinking that "beeswax" is hypoallergenic, consider 100% pure wax that has no fragrance added.
How Do You Know You're Actually Getting the Pure Version?
There are some things to look out for before purchasing as not all candles that are sold this way on the market are pure.
Look on the label for the word 'blend'. Many candles sold as having hive wax are not pure hive wax but a mix, typically a mix of paraffin and/or soy wax and a small amount of hive wax. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but it is a product that is not 100% pure pour.
Inspect the color and texture. Unbleached wax is naturally yellow to golden in colour and slightly honey-scented, even without adding any perfume. Many times this candle is bleached or mixed with another substance to achieve a pure white or bright white color.
If the label doesn't state, ask the maker directly. A small batch candle maker who claims to be transparent should be able to tell you the exact percentage of wax.
Is It Better for the Environment?
It will depend on what you're measuring and it's important to be honest about that rather than answering in a yes or no fashion.
It is a renewable hive product rather than a mined or petroleum based product, giving it an edge over paraffin for that. It is also not related to large-scale farming like soy is and is biodegradable. But the low yields per hive place a significant demand on the bees in many areas, when producing candles in this manner.
Soy, on the other hand, is derived from a widely grown crop, and that raises its own set of concerns of land use and monoculture agriculture, but doesn't require pollinator populations in the same way as large-scale sourcing of natural wax does. Both choices have drawbacks in making it an ideal environment. The hive-based one seems to be a winner in terms of biodegradability and renewability. Soy does well on size of crop and under no stress to bee colonies. The one which is more important will likely depend on your personal preferences.
How Should You Store and Care for These Candles?
This wax will act a little differently when it is on a shelf than either soy or paraffin, so there are a few things to know.
Do not place it in direct sunlight. Over time, this material can form a light dusting layer known as "bloom" with heat or sunlight. It's not harmful, simple to buff off with a soft cloth, but can give the candle the appearance that it is older than it actually is if you're not being careful.
Keep in a cool place, preferably below room temperature, if not to be used immediately. This wax melts at a lower temperature than many people think and over time, a hot car or a sunny windowsill can cause the shape of a taper candle or dent a pillar candle.
Use the same practice as soy and paraffin candles, cut the wick to about a quarter inch before each burn. It's a bit hotter and slower burning, so the importance of the trimmed wick is the same here, if not more, because a wick that is too long on a dense wax such as this can result in a larger flame than desired.
When Does It Actually Make Sense to Buy?
If I were shopping rather than making my own, these are the things I would consider:
This is a natural, hive-based candle that's most fitting when you're after a candle that's free from scent and has a natural fragrance, without seeking to fill the room with a strong, layered scent. Another reason is that if "burn time" is more important to you than the initial price, this might even make up for the price variance over time. If you are looking to remove synthetic fragrance additives, it is a good choice, too, as the pure version doesn't need the additives to smell good.
If you're looking for a more potent, customisable throw, a lower retail price, or a more diverse selection of perfumes, soy or a soy blend may be the better choice. Both candles are not the "better" candle from an objective standpoint. They are based on various priorities, and the most important one to you is the whole decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do beeswax candles really clean the air?
No. The negative-ion claim commonly used to market this wax type isn't supported by any published research, according to atmospheric chemists who study indoor air. It produces the same basic combustion byproducts as any other wax when it burns.
Why are beeswax candles more expensive than soy candles?
Bees produce a very small amount of usable wax relative to the honey they produce, roughly one pound of wax for every eight pounds of honey consumed. That scarcity, combined with the labor of collecting and filtering raw wax, drives up the price compared to crop-based waxes like soy.
Do beeswax candles burn longer than soy candles?
Generally, yes. This material has a higher density and melting point than soy wax, which tends to give it a slower, longer burn time in a candle of the same size.
Are beeswax candles safe for people with allergies?
Pure, unscented versions are often a safer choice for people sensitive to synthetic fragrance, since there's nothing artificial added. A heavily fragranced candle carries the same fragrance-related risk as any other scented candle, regardless of the base wax.
How can I tell if a candle is 100% pure beeswax?
Check the label for the word "blend," which usually means it's mixed with paraffin or soy. Pure, unbleached wax typically has a natural golden color and a faint honey scent even before fragrance is added, unlike bright white candles.
Were lead wicks ever used in beeswax candles?
Lead-cored wicks were used across various candle types, not specific to this one, before the practice was formally banned in the United States in 2003. Any candle sold legally today, including this type, should not contain a lead-core wick.
The Bottom Line
Beeswax candles are a great product, but not for the reasons most marketing pages state. They will not clean the air and emit a healthy negative ion. What they will provide you is a naturally-scented, slow-burning candle that's created with a single, minimally processed component, and costs a fraction of the actual wax that the honeybee can yield from a hive.
If the natural honey smell is important to you, along with a longer burn, it's definitely a worthwhile price. If you are purchasing this type of candle with the hope of air purifying properties, you won't receive any of these benefits no matter which brand you purchase from.