A couple of months back, I bought a new oil infuser. I know this article isn’t about oil infusers (that one is coming,) but bear with me, I have a point.
I first bought it because I wanted to find a way to make my bedroom smell good without having to purchase candles all the time.
Although I really enjoy the smell of lavender streaming out of my infuser, it made me realize that there are other things that I love about candles other than their scent.
For one, I like the light (energy) they produce as well as the calming feeling of reading by candlelight. Thankfully, I’ve found a way to keep the wax burning without spending a fortune–soy candles.
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The Best Soy Candles on the Market
Once I discovered soy candles and their benefits, I went a little ‘soy crazy.’ I’ve tested a lot of different brands and scents. Of course, there are thousands on the market, but out of all the plant-based scented candles I’ve sniffed, the ones below are my so far favorites.
1. Pineapple Evergreen – Lulu Candles
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Want a candle that will burn over 40 hours? Lulu Candles is a brand that you’ll adore. With tons of combination scents like pineapple evergreen and Lemon & Vanilla Bean, Lulu has something special for everyone.
Although the smell of this candle isn’t overpowering, it is a smooth traveler. Over 1000 square feet in my case! The mix of pineapple and forest is super unique and can’t be found in your everyday candle aisle.
Then there’s the fact that the label is super chic. Although this might not be a huge deal to some, I really like the luxury look of this. Not to mention, all of Lulu’s soy candles are hand-poured in the USA.
2. Rose & Sandalwood – Benevolence LA
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I’m a flower kind of girl, especially when it comes to scented soy candles. One of the best floral scents I’ve encountered during my search is Benevolence LA’s Rose and Sandlewood!
This candle has a super-fresh scent and a glam feel. I ended up ordering this candle for a friend who’s new home is decorated like old Hollywood. She loved the black jar and gold lettering so much that she ordered two more!
Although the scent and classy jar are definitely to die for, there is something else that keeps me buying these soy candles over and over again. 20 percent of all Benevolence LA candle sales go to nonprofit organizations that are tackling global issues like providing safe drinking water and ending human trafficking. By buying this candle, you can turn your home into a garden and help make the world a better place.
3. Vanilla Bean – Craft & Kin
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If you’re a person who shies away from candles because they cause headaches, this is the perfect one for you. Natural, yet aromatic, this scented soy candle is the best buy for someone with sensitivity issues.
I’ll be honest–I don’t usually like vanilla-scented candles, soy or not. As I mentioned earlier, I love a floral scent more than anything else. Craft & Kin’s vanilla bean is a big exception. This candle smells amazing, like fresh cupcakes and birthday party heaven, wrapped into one.
Not into vanilla? Their oakmoss & leather noir scent is a top-contender as well. Reasonably priced yet high-quality, these candles come in a frosted glass jar with a wooden cover that makes them a great-looking gift.
4. Natura – LULU CANDLES
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Another fav by Lulu Candles is called Natura. This product really appeals to those who are looking for lead-free, paraffin-free, candles.
I was a bit iffy about buying this one since the description focuses mostly on the fact that it is organic and eco-friendly. I’m so glad that I read some five-star reviews and went against my gut.
This candle is truly a great holiday find! It doesn’t smell like wax or smoke, but instead, disperses a lovely lavender scent. Belgium Lavender is my favorite, so this is one that I will buy again and again. The upscale packaging makes it perfect for holiday or birthday giving.
5. Sweet Pea & Lily – La Joly Muse
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If you like unique finds, the La Joly Muse brand is for you. This candle falls in the same price range as most others on Amazon, but it really is a cut above the rest with both look and smell. The most noticeable thing about this candle is the wonderfully fragrant scent of sweet pea and lily that diffuses out of the box upon opening.
The golden owl that sits on top of the jar is a unique touch that shifts its purpose from just adding light and fragrance to scoring decoring decorative points as well. If you’re wanting to set a mood of peace and tranquility in your home, this is the candle you should buy.
6. I Do What I Want – Malicious Women Candle Co
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I wanted to buy this one right away, mainly because of how hilarious the words on the label are. Also, the brand focuses on empowering women through its products and charitable giving. This tends to make me yell, “sold!”
A few bad reviews made me iffy, but I’m so glad “I do what I want” and made the purchase anyway. It is smaller than the others listed, but it burns so clean and smells amazing! It’s super earthy and has a universal appeal. For this reason, I find it to be a gift for both the gals and the guys.
7. Serenity – Bare
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The company that creates this candle (Bare) is all about minimalism. You can definitely see this theme in their products as their candles pack quite a punch of fragrance into one jar. If you like the idea of your home smelling like a botanical, serenity might be the best all-natural soy wax candle for you.
I keep this particular candle in my bathroom and light it right before taking a bubble bath with lavender Epson salt. There is something so enchanting about the lilac scent of this candle that makes it stand out among all other soy candles.
The burn time is phenomenal as well. I haven’t been counting the hours, but many of the Amazon reviews claim that their Bare Kollection wicks have burned for over 70 hours. Super impressive!
8. Buttery Brew – Highland Bluff Studio
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Because I’m a bookworm, I have a soft spot for things that are connected to reading. Highland Bluff Studio sells tons of unique products, including this richly aromatic scented soy candle created based on the Harry Potter series. I have a friend who gave this candle to her niece along with one of the Harry Potter books for her birthday and the girl was so thrilled.
Even if you’re not a Harry Potter fan, it is still worth a buy since this one-of-a-kind phthalate-free fragrance can’t be found anywhere else. Rum, spice, and vanilla. It almost smells good enough to eat!
9. Soy Candles Tea Lights
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Tea lights are uber-romantic and are great accents for weddings or other special events. This 54 pack of soy tea lights by American Soy Organics is a wonderful find and has many ordering pluses like super fast shipping and the fact that they are made in the US.
Not to mention, the burn time on these tiny lights is phenomenal. Each one lasts at least 8 hours. If you lit just one a day, a box could last you almost two months! It’s important to note that these are unscented, so if you’re looking for a nice smell, you’ll want to try some of their other products.
How to make Soy Candles
Although there are so many reasonably priced soy candles available for purchase, you might want to try your hand at making your own. This was something that I experimented with for a while. I even thought about making some to sell but got too busy with other projects. Here are some ‘must-knows’ to consider before getting started.
Best Soy Wax for Candles
One of the ingredients you’ll find in the soy candles-making kit list below is soy wax. All wax isn’t created equal, so you’ll want to make sure that you have the best wax around before beginning the soy candle making process.
You can use old jars to make your own Soy Candle
The answer to which is best really depends on what kind of candle you plan to make. Here are my suggestions below:
For regular size soy candles or melts, try Golden Wax 464 Soy Wax or Golden Wax 415. Both of these products have solid reviews from candle makers around the country. They also offer free shipping in the US.
With a little practice, you can use these waxes to create a solid candle with a clean burn.
Soy Candles Making Kit
Soy candles don’t require a ton of ingredients. To get started, you will need:
- A big bag of soy wax flakes (see above for suggestions)
- Dry containers or old teacups to make your candles in
- Enough wicks for each candle you plan to make
- Fragrance/essential oils to use
- A saucepan or microwave-safe container
- Parchment paper
- A wooden skewer or pencil
- Hot glue gun or double-sided tape
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If you don’t want to buy all of your ingredients individually, Organix makes a great kit!
How to make Soy Candles with Essential Oils DIY Steps
Hopefully, my trials and errors with figuring out how to make soy candles can save you some time and headaches. Therefore, I’ve outlined the steps to create homemade Soy Candles below.
Preparations
Lay some parchment paper down beside your stove/cooking area and measure out your wax flakes (take the size of the jar you will use and double it.)
Gather a Wick
Gather a wick and measure it so that it is about 4 inches longer than your container. If you have ‘fancy’ wicks with metal at the bottom, you can glue your wick to the bottom of the jar. If not, tie a know at one end and use double-sided tape to secure it to the bottom of the jar.
Melt your Wax
Melt your wax on medium (saucepan) or in the microwave for 90 seconds. A general rule is that 4 cups of soy flakes is equal to 2 cups melted wax.
Add a Fragrance
Let your wax cool just a bit and then mix in 4 drops of fragrance per cup of flakes used. 1 cup of flakes = 4 drops of oil, 2 cups of flakes = 8 drops of oil, and so on.
Pour the Wax in the Wick
Wrap your wick around a skewer (or pencil) so that it stays centered as you pour the wax into your container. Leave about an inch of free space at the top.
Trim the Wick
Once your wax has cooled, trim the wick.
That’s all:) Easy right? You now have a cruelty-free, eco-friendly candle! 🙂
A Word on ‘Traditional’ Candles
Since you’re already looking for the best soy candles on the market, you may know about some of the things that make them great.
But first–let’s talk about what’s in your regular candle and the benefits of ditching them for soy candles.
Most ‘traditional’ candles are made from one of the following:
- Oils and fats that come from animals
- Beeswax (yes, wax from bees)
- Synthetic petroleum and paraffin
Fat-Based Candles vs Soy Candles
One main ingredient of fat-based candles is tallow, a slaughterhouse byproduct. Tallow was is taken from the kidneys of sheep/cows, and scented candles made from this can actually smell pretty terrible as they continue to burn.
Fat-based candles can also cause sensitivity issues. Then, there’s the fact that many people have a problem with any product associated with the harming of innocent animals.
Beeswax vs Soy Candles
Selecting a candle that is ‘cruelty-free’ isn’t something that I would have ever thought of in the past, but now that I have this knowledge, it is hard to go back.
I feel similarly about candles made from beeswax. Although most beekeepers try to avoid harming or hurting bees to extract the wax, why risk it when there are other ways to make candles that don’t involve such practices.
Paraffin vs Soy CAndles
The final ingredient used to make most candles marketed today is paraffin wax. I could write a whole article on why paraffin-based scented candles should be avoided at all costs, but I’ll keep it short and highlight the main reason.
When burned, these candles release two highly toxic carcinogens, benzene, and toluene. Many also have wicks that contain heavy metals (i.e., lead).
As much as I love the smell of some of these products, it’s really difficult to justify bringing something that you know can cause cancer into your home to breathe.
Benefits of Soy Candles
This brings us to soy candles and why they are an amazing natural alternative to the other options.
1. You’re supporting Hometown Farmers and Small Businesses
Soy candles are made from soybeans. When you buy soy-based products, you’re supporting the economy of family farms, not just big businesses. Also, many ‘mom and pop’ companies are the makers of soy candles.
I love to support small business owners because I know my dollar is going to improve someone’s daily living, not line the pockets of already billionaires.
2. They are Environmentally Friendly
This is a ‘no-brainer,’ but it is worth mentioning since one issue that many people have with using scented candles is the toxicity risk. Also, anything created by a renewable (soybeans) resource vs. nonrenewable is more ‘green’.
3. Soy Candles Burn Longer
Burn baby, burn, disco inferno! Every time I hear someone talk about candles burning..which isn’t that often :), I can’t help but think about this disco song by the Trammps. I know they were talking about burning it up on the dance floor, but I want the same for my candles.
Many hours of burn time is a big bonus, especially for people who worry about the cost of buying soy candles or learning how to make soy candles at home. A 2019 study by the Ministry of Environment and Food of Denmark found that not only do plant-based candles burn as long as fat-based/paraffin, but they also burn longer than most.
4. You can up your Aromatherapy Game
One of the reasons I wanted to include info on how to make your own soy candles is because of aromatherapy. I like to use a combination of essential oils for health and mood. Being able to find this in one branded candle can be difficult. Making your own is a solution to this problem.
5. Soy Candles are Less Messy
Because most scented candles are oil-based, the wax can be quite messy if spilled. This isn’t the case with soy candles. If you accidentally drop or knock over a candle, simply clean the area with soapy water. Voila! No greasy stains.
Soy Candles the Bottom Line
At this point, you should be ready to make your first soy candle purchase or if you’re brave, dive in and create one of your own! There isn’t a right or wrong choice, just go with your gut.
If you’re like me and you can’t get enough off soy candles, do as much reading as possible on the subject. Test lots of candles too or maybe conduct some candle magic! If you are thinking about starting your own soy candle business, this book is a must-read.
Are you looking for other tips to make your home warm and cozy? Read all about it in this article about increasing positive energy at home!