Soy Wax Vs Paraffin Wax
Main Story Candles
When our family started Main Story Candles, we had one simple goal: to create something that felt as comforting as it was clean. We wanted candles that burned beautifully, smelled amazing, and were made from ingredients we could feel proud of. From the very beginning, it was important to us to use all-natural, U.S.-made materials and keep our products as non-toxic as possible—something truly safe for our family and yours.
Like many new candle makers, we quickly discovered that not all wax is created equal. There are so many options out there—each with its pros and cons—and the deeper we dug, the more we realized how important that choice really was. After lots of testing (and plenty of late nights surrounded by wax samples), we found our perfect blend: a 100% plant-based mix of soy and coconut wax. It burns clean, smooth, and fills the room with fragrance—without overwhelming your senses or releasing anything harsh into the air.
Along the way, we also learned a lot about the waxes we didn’t want to use—especially paraffin wax, which is made from petroleum byproducts. While paraffin is common in the candle industry, it can release trace amounts of pollutants when burned and isn’t something we felt good about including in our home or yours. Paraffin has its place in other industries, but for us, keeping our candles natural, renewable, and gentle on the air we breathe was non-negotiable.
That’s why every candle we pour is made from 100% plant-based wax—no paraffin, no hidden blends, no shortcuts. Just a clean, long-lasting burn and fragrances that feel as good as they smell.
Our journey into candle making began with love and a story—one rooted in family and comfort. We pour each candle by hand, right here at home, as a reflection of that story. To us, candles aren’t just about scent; they’re about creating moments of warmth, calm, and connection.
What Is Paraffin Wax, Really?
Paraffin wax might sound harmless—it’s even labeled as “natural” by some brands—but its origins tell a different story. Paraffin is a byproduct of petroleum refining, the same process used to make gasoline and other fuels. When crude oil is processed, waxy components known as slack wax are separated out. These are then bleached, treated with chemicals, and refined using high heat and solvents like ketones or toluene to remove impurities.
Even after all that refining, paraffin wax still contains small amounts of petroleum residue. When burned, it can release trace chemicals like toluene and benzene—both recognized by environmental health organizations as irritants that may trigger headaches or respiratory discomfort for sensitive individuals.
Paraffin’s biggest advantage is cost—it’s inexpensive, easy to source, and offers a strong scent throw. But for us, the tradeoff in air quality and purity simply wasn’t worth it.
The Difference: Plant-Based Wax
By contrast, our wax of choice—soy and coconut—comes directly from renewable, plant-based sources.
Soy wax is made through a process called hydrogenation, where soybean oil is gently converted from liquid to solid form. During hydrogenation, hydrogen is added to the oil under controlled heat and pressure, solidifying the natural fatty acids without any harsh chemicals. The result is a smooth, creamy wax that burns evenly and cleanly.
Coconut wax is created from the meat of coconuts through natural extraction and hydrogenation, producing an even softer, slower-burning wax. When blended together, soy and coconut wax form a candle base that is:
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Non-toxic and renewable, made entirely from plants
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Cleaner-burning, producing little to no soot
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Longer-lasting, thanks to a slower melt rate
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Better for scent balance, gently diffusing fragrance without overpowering your space
The difference between paraffin and plant-based wax isn’t just about ingredients—it’s about how they make you feel. A paraffin candle can fill a room with scent quickly, but often with an underlying sharpness or faint smoky residue. Plant-based wax, on the other hand, offers a softer, more natural fragrance experience, where the scent enhances the space rather than dominating it.
For us, that difference matters. When you light one of our candles, you’re not just enjoying a fragrance—you’re taking in cleaner air, supporting sustainable practices, and choosing something crafted with care from start to finish.
At Main Story Candles, every candle begins as a small batch poured by hand in our home. Each scent tells part of our story, and every burn is meant to bring warmth, comfort, and calm into yours.
Thank you for being part of our journey, and for choosing to fill your story with light that’s as pure as it is personal.
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