Walk into any candle shop today and you'll see "100% soy wax" on label after label. It's become a bit of a badge of honour in the candle world but what does it actually mean, and why does it matter?
If you've ever wondered what's really happening when your candle burns, or why some candles leave a gray film on the wall behind them, this is the post for you. We're breaking down the science of soy wax, how it's made, how it burns, and why we've used it exclusively in every Mimi & August candle since day one.
What Is Soy Wax, Exactly?
Soy wax is a plant-based wax made from soybeans. After harvesting, the oil is extracted from the beans and hydrogenated a process that converts the liquid oil into a solid wax with a stable melt point. The result is a creamy, ivory-coloured wax that burns cleanly, holds fragrance beautifully, and is fully biodegradable.
It's 100% renewable, grown without petroleum, and breaks down naturally after use. That already puts it in a different category from paraffin but the differences run deeper than where it comes from.
What Is Paraffin Wax?
Paraffin is the conventional candle wax, the one that's been used for over a century. It's derived from petroleum, specifically from the sludge left behind when crude oil is refined into gasoline. That byproduct is then bleached and deodorized into the white, solid wax you'll find in most mass-market candles.
It's inexpensive and easy to work with, which is why it became the industry standard. But "cheap and easy" isn't the same as "good for your home."
Why Soy Burns Cleaner: The Chemistry Behind It
This is where things get interesting. When any wax burns, it goes through a process called combustion. The wax melts, travels up the wick, vaporizes, and reacts with oxygen to produce heat, light, water vapour, and carbon dioxide.
The key variable is how completely that combustion happens. With soy wax, the molecular structure is simpler and more uniform, which means it combusts more fully. Less unburned material means less soot that black residue you sometimes see collecting on jars, walls, or ceilings near candles.
Paraffin, on the other hand, has a more complex hydrocarbon structure. It doesn't combust as cleanly, and the incomplete burn releases tiny petrochemical particles into the air including, in some studies, trace amounts of compounds like benzene and toluene. Not exactly what you want drifting through your living room.
With a soy candle, the air stays cleaner. That matters if you have kids, pets, or anyone in the house with allergies or asthma and honestly, it matters even if you don't.
Why Soy Candles Last Longer
Soy wax has a lower melting point than paraffin, typically between 49°C and 82°C depending on the blend. That lower melt point means the wax liquefies more slowly and evenly, forming a wide, shallow melt pool across the surface of the candle.
A wider melt pool = slower fuel consumption = more hours of burn time per ounce of wax.
Paraffin burns hotter and faster. You get the same light and scent, but the candle is gone sooner and you're replacing it more often.
Our soy candles are hand-poured in our South Shore of Montreal workshop, and we formulate each one to maximize that slow, even burn. Our classic candles offer up to 50 hours of burn time. Our mini candles give you up to 12 hours perfect for sampling a new scent before committing to a full size.
Fragrance Throw: Why Soy Smells Better, Longer
Here's something most candle brands don't talk about: the relationship between melt point and scent.
Fragrance oils are blended into wax during the pouring process. When the candle burns, the heat releases those fragrance molecules into the air what's called the "scent throw." The rate at which fragrance releases is tied directly to how quickly the wax melts.
Because soy melts slowly and at a lower temperature, fragrance releases gradually rather than all at once. That means a steady, consistent scent throughout the life of the candle not a powerful rush at the start that fades to almost nothing an hour in.
It also means you can use slightly less fragrance to achieve the same result, which keeps the overall formulation cleaner and more balanced.
If you love the idea of scent without a full candle flame, our soy wax melts use the same principle gently warming the wax to release fragrance slowly, with no wick required.
Soy vs. Paraffin: Side by Side
| Feature | Soy Wax | Paraffin Wax |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Renewable (soybeans) | Non-renewable (petroleum) |
| Soot | Minimal | Higher, petrochemical particles |
| Burn time | Longer, slower melt | Shorter, faster burn |
| Fragrance throw | Gradual, consistent | Can be strong then fades |
| Air quality | Non-toxic, cleaner air | May emit harmful compounds |
| Biodegradable | Yes | No |
| Cleanup | Soap and warm water | Requires solvents |
The Reusable Candle Angle: Taking It Further
Choosing soy over paraffin is a great start but at Mimi & August, we wanted to go further.
Every one of our candles is poured into a reusable ceramic cup. Once your candle has burned down, the cup doesn't get thrown away. You can clean it out and refill it with one of our soy wax candle refills same great burn, new scent, zero new packaging. It's a closed-loop system that extends the life of every cup indefinitely.
It's the kind of detail that matters to us as a small studio on the South Shore of Montreal. We think about where things end up not just how they look on a shelf.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Soy Candle
Even the cleanest-burning candle benefits from a little care. Here's how to get the full life out of yours:
- Trim the wick to about 5 mm before each burn. A long wick creates a larger flame, more soot, and faster wax consumption.
- Let the melt pool reach the edges on the first burn. This prevents tunneling that frustrating pillar of wax that forms when the centre burns down but the edges don't melt. First burns typically take 2–3 hours.
- Don't burn for more than 4 hours at a time. Extended burns overheat the wax and can shorten the candle's overall life.
- Keep it away from drafts. Wind and air movement cause uneven burning and increase soot.
- Store in a cool, dark place when not in use soy wax can yellow with prolonged UV exposure.
Why We've Always Used Soy
When Camille Forcherio and Joao started Mimi & August, the choice of wax wasn't incidental it was foundational. Soy aligned with everything the brand stood for: clean ingredients, thoughtful production, products that are genuinely better for the people using them and the planet they live on.
Every candle we make is still hand-poured in small batches in our South Shore of Montreal workshop, using 100% natural soy wax, non-toxic fragrance oils, and lead-free cotton wicks. The science behind soy is part of why we're proud to put our name on every single one.
Ready to experience the difference? Explore the full Mimi & August soy candle collection or start small with a mini candle to find your favourite scent.
Frequently Asked Questions About Soy Wax Candles
Is soy wax really non-toxic?
Yes. Soy wax is derived from soybeans and burns without releasing the petrochemical byproducts associated with paraffin. Our candles also use non-toxic fragrance oils and lead-free cotton wicks, so what's in the air stays clean.
Do soy candles really burn longer than paraffin?
Generally, yes. Soy wax has a lower melting point, which means it burns more slowly and evenly than paraffin. You typically get 25–50% more burn time from a soy candle of the same size. Our classic candles burn for up to 50 hours.
Why does my soy candle look uneven or have white spots on top?
That's called "frosting" a natural characteristic of soy wax caused by the wax recrystallizing as it cools. It's purely cosmetic and has no effect on how the candle burns or smells. It's actually a sign you're working with real, natural soy wax.
Can I reuse my Mimi & August candle cup after it's burned down?
Absolutely, that's the whole point. Our candles are poured into reusable ceramic cups designed to be refilled. Once your candle is done, clean out the cup with warm soapy water and order one of our soy wax refills to start fresh with a new scent.
Is soy wax better for people with allergies or asthma?
Soy wax is generally considered a better option for sensitive individuals because it produces significantly less soot and doesn't release the volatile compounds found in paraffin. We also use non-toxic, phthalate-free fragrance oils. As always, burn in a well-ventilated space.
How do I prevent my soy candle from tunneling?
The key is the first burn. Allow the melt pool to reach all the way to the edges of the container before extinguishing this usually takes 2 to 3 hours. Soy wax has a memory, and if you let it tunnel early, it'll continue to do so. Trim your wick to about 5 mm before each subsequent burn.
Does soy wax hold fragrance as well as paraffin?
Yes, and often better over time. Because soy melts at a lower temperature, fragrance releases gradually rather than burning off quickly. The scent throw is consistent throughout the life of the candle rather than peaking early and fading.