How to Choose the Right Wax
Choosing the right wax might sound simple - until you start shopping. Soy, coconut, paraffin, blends, beeswax… and every maker on the internet seems to swear by something different.
Here’s the truth: there’s no single “best” wax for candle making. There’s only what’s best for you, your goals, your setup, and your brand (if looking beyond personal use).
This guide expands on my YouTube video “ How To Pick the Right Wax (It's NOT What You Think!)” and walks you through what actually matters when picking your wax.
Hobby vs Business — Two Different Paths
Before you buy your first ten-pound bag, ask yourself one question: Is this for fun, or for your business?
If you’re a hobbyist — good news — there’s no wrong answer! Play. Experiment. Try whatever you can get your hands on. Turn that kitchen into a mini lab and learn what feels right.
But if you’re building a business, every wax choice should connect to your brand story, customer expectations, and production goals.
Ask yourself:
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Who’s buying my candles?
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What does my brand represent: clean, sustainable, cozy, luxury?
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How fast do I need to produce and restock?
Once you answer those, your wax options will narrow fast.
Why Wax Choice Matters
Your wax is the foundation of your candle. It affects everything — your hot throw, burn time, surface finish, and overall performance.
A smooth, creamy coconut blend gives a completely different vibe (and branding feel) than a rustic soy or shiny paraffin.
Think of wax as part of your brand identity. Are you going for eco-luxury and clean burn, or strong throw and bold scent? That decision alone will steer you toward the right formula if you're choosing a wax for your business.
Wax Types and What They’re Best For
Here’s a breakdown of the main candle wax types and what each does best.
Soy Wax
Soy is a plant-based wax known for its clean image and creamy, opaque finish. It’s a great starting point for makers focused on sustainability or minimalist branding.
Best for: eco-conscious, natural brands.
Common waxes: GB 464, Cargill C3, Titan 5733.
Pros: affordable, easy to source, smooth tops when poured correctly.
Cons: can frost, sometimes struggles with hot throw, and requires more wick testing.
Pro tip: Allow soy candles to harden for 3–5 days before testing. In cooler months, 2–3 days is usually enough; in warmer conditions, give them a few extra days so the wax can fully set for consistent burns.
Coconut Wax
Coconut wax feels premium — smooth, slow-burning, and great at holding fragrance. It’s softer than soy, which means it usually needs blending for structure.
Best for: luxury brands with creamy, clean-burning candles.
Common waxes: Coconut Apricot Crème, Ceda Serica, Coco 83.
Pros: slow burn, great adhesion, excellent scent throw.
Cons: can be expensive, heat-sensitive during shipping, and prone to surface variations.
Pro tip: Blend coconut wax with a harder wax (like soy or paraffin) to stabilize structure without losing performance.
Paraffin Wax
Paraffin sometimes gets a bad rap, but it’s one of the easiest waxes to work with and still the performance benchmark for scent throw and consistency.
Best for: high-performance candles or beginners who want predictable results.
Common waxes: IGI 4630 and IGI 4627.
Pros: excellent hot throw, smooth tops, easy to color, less frosting.
Cons: petroleum-based, which may not make it ideal for eco-leaning brands.
Pro tip: If you love paraffin’s performance but want a cleaner image, test a soy-paraffin blend like IGI 6006.
Beeswax
Beeswax is one of the oldest and cleanest burning natural waxes but it’s dense and expensive. It’s typically used for molded or pillar candles rather than jars.
Best for: natural or artisan brands that focus on purity and simplicity.
Common waxes: 100% Yellow Beeswax or Beesoy blends.
Pros: naturally honey-scented, long burn time, clean burn.
Cons: expensive, not ideal for heavy fragrance loads or colored candles, challenging to wick.
Pro tip: Combine beeswax with coconut or soy for softer texture and better scent performance.
Blended Waxes
Most commercial candle lines use blends — the best of both worlds. They balance performance, appearance, and brand positioning.
Best for: scalable candle businesses that prioritize consistency.
Common waxes: Ceda Serica, Coconut Apricot Crème, IGI 6006.
Pros: smooth, low-frost finish, strong hot throw, and reliable performance.
Cons: cost varies, and proprietary blends can change slightly between batches.
Pro tip: Start with one soy-coconut or soy-paraffin blend and master it before experimenting with others.
Wax Testing Tips
Testing wax isn’t just about pouring and lighting. It’s about consistency and control. Testing is data, not failure! Each test tells you something about how your candle performs.
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Test 2–3 waxes max at a time. Testing too many at once makes it harder to compare results and spot clear patterns.
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Keep your jar, wick, and fragrance load identical when comparing.
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Note hot throw, surface finish, and cooling time.
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Adjust pour temp and hardening time before swapping waxes entirely. Small tweaks matter!
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right wax isn’t about trends or opinions, it’s about what fits your brand, your process, and your goals.
If you’re a hobbyist, enjoy the learning curve. If you’re building a business, test strategically, track your results, and build consistency. Test thoroughly. Take notes. Be consistent!
Happy making!
