Paraffin vs. Soy Candles. Which is better?

The Surprising Truth About Paraffin vs. Soy Wax: Why We Made the Switch Back

When soy wax first became all the rage, we were ready to jump on the bandwagon. Why wouldn’t we? The buzz around soy was all about sustainability, health, and being better for the environment. Like everyone else, we wanted to do what was right. But before we made a change, we paused, took a deep breath, and dug into the research. What we found was shocking—and it completely changed the way we look at candles.

We’re sharing our journey not to ruffle feathers, but to shed light on why we ultimately chose paraffin wax. Let’s dive into the science, the myths, and the reality of soy vs. paraffin. You might find yourself rethinking what’s burning in your home.

Our Research Process

We didn’t make this decision lightly. Over two months, we consulted a biochemist, a nutritionist, and several environmentalists to break down the environmental and health impacts of both soy and paraffin. We sifted through independent studies, questioned industry claims, and kept asking, What’s the full story?

Here’s what we uncovered:

The Environmental Truth About Soy vs. Paraffin

1. The Soy Hype is Backed by Industry Studies Most of the pro-soy wax reports in the media trace back to studies funded by the soy wax industry. The few independent studies we found showed negligible differences—less than one part per million—in toxins released by unscented paraffin and soy candles burned with the same cotton wick. Surprised? So were we.

2. Soy Wax Pillars Don’t Exist Without Paraffin Soy wax is naturally soft and can’t stand on its own as a pillar candle. Every so-called “soy pillar candle” we investigated turned out to be a blend of soy and paraffin. When we spoke to soy wax suppliers, they confirmed: pure soy wax pillars simply aren’t a thing.

3. The Hidden Cost of Soy Farming Did you know that over 90% of soy candles in the U.S. come from Monsanto “Round-Up Ready” GMO soybeans? Industrial soy farming drives massive deforestation, second only to beef production, and has consumed over 280 million acres of land globally—an area larger than France, Germany, and the United Kingdom combined.

4. Paraffin is a Byproduct, Not a Driver Paraffin wax comes from crude oil refining. It’s not drilled for separately; it’s a byproduct that would otherwise be discarded. By using it, we’re giving this material a second life instead of letting it go to waste. In contrast, soy farming demands enormous resources from the start—land, water, and energy—adding to its environmental footprint.

Candle Myths: Smoke, Fragrance, and Health

1. The Real Culprit: Poor-Quality Fragrance The toxins in candle smoke often come from poor-quality fragrance oils, not the wax itself. That’s why we prioritize working with perfumers who create non-toxic blends. Even essential oils, when overused, can release harmful compounds. We’ve carefully balanced our candles to ensure a great scent without triggering allergic reactions.

2. Smoke Happens, Regardless of Wax Candle smoke is more about the wick and fragrance load than the wax. A poorly balanced wick or oversized candle will produce smoke—whether it’s soy or paraffin. And despite claims of “white smoke” from soy wax, we’ve personally seen it burn black. There are many charts online and articles claiming that soy wax is nontoxic. That is a lie. Paraffin and soy have the same chemicals in their smokes.

3. Pesticides in Your Air Burning soy candles made from GMO crops means releasing pesticides into the air. That’s right—those “Round-Up Ready” soybeans don’t just stay in the fields; their residues can end up in your lungs.

The Bigger Picture: Sustainability and Cost

1. Soy’s Carbon Footprint Processing soy wax isn’t as green as it seems. Like ethanol, the energy required to grow, harvest, and refine soy far outweighs the potential environmental benefits. For perspective, starting your car once releases more fossil fuels than burning a paraffin candle every day for a year.

2. Cost and Waste Soy wax costs two to three times more than paraffin and requires special handling during production. Unlike paraffin, soy can’t be recycled back into new candles, creating more waste and using more energy to produce.

Why We’re Sticking with Paraffin

After looking at all the evidence, the choice was clear for us: paraffin has a smaller environmental footprint, fewer hidden costs, and provides the best performance for our candles.

We know this isn’t the most popular opinion. But our commitment to sustainability, quality, and transparency means making informed choices—even when they’re not the trendiest. We’re not anti-soy; we’re pro-research and pro-doing what’s best for you and the planet.

The Takeaway

Next time you light a candle, ask yourself: Where did this wax come from? What’s its true cost? At Coventry, we’ve done our homework to make sure that every candle we create is not just beautiful but responsible. Because a candle isn’t just about the glow—it’s about lighting the way to a better, more informed world.

Let’s burn brighter, together.