Soy wax & rapeseed wax instead of paraffin – sustainable candles
Candles are more than just decoration – they provide warmth, atmosphere, and often a special fragrance. But few people ask themselves: What wax is my candle actually made from? This very thing determines how long a candle burns, how cleanly it burns, and how sustainable it is.
We compare the most common wax types: paraffin, stearin, soy wax, and rapeseed wax – and show why at Candledeko, we deliberately choose plant-based alternatives.
Paraffin – cheap, but not very sustainable
Paraffin is a byproduct of the petroleum industry and remains the most commonly used candle wax.
Advantages:
- very inexpensive to produce
- easily moldable
Disadvantages:
- based on fossil raw materials
- can release soot and pollutants when burning
- not very sustainable
Stearin – animal or palm oil-based
Stearin is made either from animal fats or vegetable oils like palm oil.
Advantages:
- longer burn time than paraffin
- more stable candle shape
Disadvantages:
- often not vegan (animal origin)
- palm oil production often leads to rainforest deforestation
- limited sustainability
Soy wax – ideal for scented candles
Soy wax is a plant-based, renewable resource and particularly suitable for high-quality scented candles.
Advantages:
- 100% plant-based and vegan
- very long burn time
- clean, almost soot-free burning
- excellent fragrance absorption
Disadvantage:
- somewhat more expensive to produce
👉 That's why we at Candledeko scented candles consistently use soy wax – for a pure fragrance experience without compromise.
Rapeseed wax – our choice for pillar and decorative candles
For our pillar and decorative candles, we use rapeseed wax – a plant-based alternative that particularly stands out due to its regional origin.
Advantages:
- predominantly from European cultivation → short transport routes
- 100% plant-based and vegan
- can be completely dyed through → modern, decorative colors
- burns cleanly, slowly, and evenly
This creates candles that are not only beautiful but also sustainable – perfect for stylish table decorations or cozy evenings.
Wax types comparison at a glance
| Criterion | Paraffin | Stearin | Soy Wax | Rapeseed Wax |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Origin | Petroleum | Animal/Palm Oil | Plant-based (Soy) | Plant-based (Rapeseed, mostly Europe) |
| Sustainability | ✗ | Partially problematic | ✓ | ✓✓ |
| Burn Time | Medium | Long | Long | Long |
| Soot Development | High | Medium | Very low | Very low |
| Fragrance Release | Medium | Good | Very good | Good |
| Price | Cheap | Medium | Higher | Higher |
Cheap candles from the discounter – why they are so inexpensive
Candles for €4.99 at the discounter seem tempting, but behind the price usually lies a simple formula:
- Cheap wax (paraffin or stearin) → inexpensive, but not sustainable.
- Synthetic fragrances → often artificial, pungent or overpowering.
- Lack of quality → candles burn down quickly, soot more, and smell unnatural.
The result: a candle that may be cheap, but brings little joy – neither for you nor for the environment.
Fragrance oils – vegan & cruelty-free
Good wax also requires the right fragrance. Many inexpensive candles contain synthetic perfume oils, which are often not vegan or are associated with animal testing.
At Candledeko, it's different:
- We exclusively use high-quality fragrance oils.
- Produced without animal testing.
- Vegan, meaning free from animal ingredients.
- Finely tuned for an authentic, pleasant fragrance experience – never intrusive or artificial.
This way, you can be sure: Our candles are not only beautiful but also ethically responsibly made.
Our approach at Candledeko
We believe that candles can be more: a piece of nature, a piece of design, and a piece of feel-good atmosphere.
That's why we exclusively use plant-based waxes:
- Soy wax for scented candles – for authentic fragrances and clean burning.
- Rapeseed wax for pillar and decorative candles – for sustainable, decorative candles of European origin.
- Vegan certified fragrance oils – completely cruelty-free.
This creates candles that not only beautify your home but also fit a conscious lifestyle.
Conclusion
Whether for fragrance or decoration: the choice of the right wax makes all the difference. While paraffin and stearin still dominate the mass market, at Candledeko, we rely on soy and rapeseed wax – combined with vegan fragrance oils without animal testing.