Soy vs Paraffin vs Beeswax Candles: How to Choose

Hello dear friends. 🕯️ Today I would like to tell you a little about our candle-making workshops, and about the candle itself. In the workshops with our youngest participants, we first melt the wax together, and then each of us sets an intention. Painting is the favourite part. There are pots of red, green and purple paint on the table, and the children have great fun painting their little tin boxes in their own colors. The boxes turn out wonderfully creative. Watching small hands paint with such focus reminds me how naturally children give themselves to the moment.

We can do this workshop with you too: at your school, at your office or at Şifa Köyü, our organic farm in Şile on the Black Sea coast of Istanbul. You will find the details at the end. First, let us look at the wax itself. It is good to know what that small light in our home is made of, is it not? What is the difference between soy, paraffin and beeswax?

The main difference between them is the raw material. Paraffin comes from refining petroleum, soy wax is made from soybean oil, and beeswax is made by honeybees. But the wax alone does not decide how a candle burns. The wick, the fragrance, the container and how you use it matter just as much.

Three waxes, three raw materials

Three waxes come from three different sources. One comes from under the ground, one from the field and one from the hive:

• Paraffin: a wax from petroleum refining. It has been widely used for a long time and holds color and fragrance easily.
• Soy wax: a plant-based wax made from soybean oil. It is usually softer, so it is often used in jars and tins.
• Beeswax: a natural wax made by honeybees. It can have its own light honey scent and a yellowish color.

Is paraffin toxic and soy harmless?

To say that paraffin is toxic and soy is harmless is too sharp for me; I do not draw that line. The National Candle Association in the United States says that well-made, properly burned candles made from the major waxes burn in a similar way. It is an industry association, so it is fair to read this with that in mind. The same association explains that soot comes mainly from a disturbed flame. That is why a trimmed wick and a place away from drafts matter.

So I do not rank candles for health by wax alone. How the candle is made and how you burn it have just as much to say as the raw material. If you have a respiratory sensitivity, you may want to ask your doctor about using candles at home.

What to look at when you choose a candle

When you choose a candle, you can look at the ingredients, the fragrance, the wick, the container and the instructions. These are the questions I ask when I hold a candle in my hands:

• Ingredients: which wax, and is it a blend? A word like “natural” is not enough information on its own; asking what is inside is your right.
• Fragrance: what kind of scent is used? If you are sensitive to scent, a lightly scented or unscented candle may feel more comfortable.
• Wick: it should suit the size of the candle and its container. Keeping the wick at the length the maker suggests helps the flame stay steady.
• Container: heat-resistant, sturdy and hard to tip over.
• Instructions: how long to burn it at a time, when to stop, and what to do with a stone or decoration on the lid. If there are none, you can ask the seller.

At Şifa Köyü we make our candles by hand with soy wax and natural aromatherapy oils. Some have a natural stone on the lid, such as a selenite heart. Some come in tin or copper containers, and many are one-off designs. To me that is the beauty of handmade work: each candle keeps the trace of the hands that made it. If you would like to know the burn time or anything else about a candle, you can write to us. The shop sifakoyu.com is in Turkish.

A candle-making workshop with you

We can hold a candle-making workshop with you too; the flow is simple and joyful. First we melt the wax. Then everyone chooses a color and a scent, and the wax goes into the mould. While the candle sets, we talk about why we will light it: a wish, a thank you, an intention. By the end, everyone has a candle of their own. With children there is a more playful version with paints. With adult and corporate groups I begin with a short breathing practice, and then we get our hands busy. Once the hands are absorbed in the work, the conversation softens by itself.

This workshop is not only for little ones. It works with students of every age, from kindergarten to university, with adult groups, and at birthdays and gatherings of friends. For company teams it makes a creative break in the working week.

We can bring the workshop to your school or office, or we can meet at Şifa Köyü. If you come to the farm, you can spend time in nature while your candle sets, pet our animals and walk through the garden. The produce we grow from heirloom seeds holds EU-approved organic farming certification, and you are welcome to shop from it as well. We plan the materials together; sometimes the school or company provides the paints or jars themselves. Write to us with the number of people and their ages, and we will get back to you and plan the programme together.

What matters most to you when you choose a candle: the scent, the look or what is inside? I would love to hear from you. May the light in your home always feel warm. ✨

Şifa Köyü shop: candles (in Turkish) →

Şifa Köyü shop: set of 4 candles (in Turkish) →

Candle-making workshop →

Write to us about a workshop →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between soy and paraffin candles?

Paraffin comes from petroleum and soy wax from soybean oil. How a candle burns also depends on its wick, fragrance and use.

Do soy candles produce soot?

Any candle can produce some soot, and soy is no exception. Soot is mostly linked to a disturbed flame, so trimming the wick and avoiding drafts helps.

Is beeswax better than soy?

There is no single right answer. It depends on the scent, look and use you prefer; whichever you choose, follow the maker’s instructions.

How do I find out what a candle is made of?

Check the label or the product page. If the information is missing, asking the seller is your right.

What are Şifa Köyü candles made of?

We make them by hand with soy wax and natural aromatherapy oils. Some have a natural stone on the lid, such as a selenite heart.

Who is the candle-making workshop for?

Students from kindergarten to university, adult groups and company teams. Write to us with the number of people and their ages, and we plan the flow together.

My related sessions and workshops

• Candle Making Workshop

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