Soy Wax and Fragrance/Essential Oil Loading

Soy wax is a popular choice for candle making due to its natural origin and clean burn. The amount of fragrance or essential oil that soy wax can hold depends on several factors, including the specific type of soy wax, its melting point, and the type of fragrance or essential oil used.

Generally, soy waxes, including those with melting points around 52°C and 68°C, can typically hold 6-10% of fragrance or essential oil by weight. Some high-performance soy waxes might be able to hold up to 12%, but exceeding this can lead to "sweating" or "leaching" of the oil from the wax as it cools or cures.

Key Considerations:

• Melting Point: Waxes with higher melting points (like 68°C) tend to be harder and can sometimes hold a slightly higher fragrance load without issues compared to softer waxes (like 52°C). However, the difference is often marginal for the typical range.
• Fragrance/Essential Oil Type: Some fragrance oils or essential oils are heavier or have different solubilities in wax, which can affect the maximum load. Always test with your specific oils.
• Additives: Certain additives can help improve fragrance retention and throw in soy wax.
• Testing: The best way to determine the optimal fragrance load for your specific soy wax and oil combination is through small-batch testing. Start with 6% and gradually increase to 8% or 10%, observing the candle's appearance, hot throw (scent released when burning), and cold throw (scent released when unlit).

Using Essential Oils with Soy Wax:

Yes, essential oils can definitely be used with soy wax for candle making. However, there are a few important points to consider:

• Flash Point: Be aware of the flash point of the essential oil. This is the temperature at which the oil will ignite. It's crucial to add essential oils to the melted wax when the wax has cooled down to a temperature below the essential oil's flash point to prevent fire hazards and preserve the integrity of the scent.
• Potency and Cost: Essential oils are generally more potent and more expensive than synthetic fragrance oils. You might need less essential oil to achieve a desired scent strength, but the cost per candle could be higher.
• Therapeutic Properties: While essential oils are known for their therapeutic benefits, these properties are often diminished or altered when burned in a candle. If the primary goal is therapeutic, other diffusion methods might be more effective.

We do not currently have specific soy wax products with the mentioned melting points in our catalog. However, we offer a variety of other waxes and candle-making ingredients that might be suitable for your needs. You can find links to all mentioned products below this answer.