Paraffin, stearin, beeswax, soy, or olive: which candle wax?
In December, more candles are burned in Swiss homes than in all the rest of the year combined. Advent wreaths, Christmas tables, tea lights in the window often for hours on end, often in small rooms with closed windows.
It is all the more surprising that hardly anyone knows what is actually burning. Most candles have no labeling. Here is what you should know about the five common types of wax before you buy Advent candles.
The five waxes at a glance
| Wax | Origin | Vegan | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paraffin | Crude oil | Yes | Cheap candles, grave candles, bulk-pack tea lights |
| Stearin | Vegetable fats, often palm oil, or animal fats | Depending on source | Taper candles, supermarket Advent candles |
| Beeswax | Beehives | No | Church candles, candles from markets |
| Soy wax | Soybeans | Yes | Scented candles in glass jars |
| Olive wax | Residues from olive oil pressing | Yes | Freestanding candles, tea lights |
Paraffin: inexpensive, but fossil-based
Paraffin is a byproduct of petroleum refining and is found in the majority of all candles sold. It is cheap, easy to process, and burns reliably.
The catch lies in its origin: when you burn paraffin, you are burning a fossil resource in small quantities, it is the same as heating oil. For a candle lit for contemplation, this is a strange contradiction.
Stearin: "plant-based" does not automatically mean "good"
Stearin is considered the "better" alternative and is therefore found on many Advent candles. It drips less than paraffin and remains dimensionally stable even in warm rooms.
It is obtained from fats and in Europe, very frequently from palm oil. If the package only says "stearin," you do not know where it comes from. Look for the label "no palm oil" or information regarding the source.
Beeswax: beautiful, but not for everyone
Beeswax is the oldest candle wax of all. It burns for a long time, has a subtle honey scent, and features a warm, golden color. Honestly: for many, it is the most beautiful candle there is.
The arguments against it are the price, the limited supply and the fact that it is an animal product. Those who live a vegan lifestyle or want a neutral scent will choose something else.
Soy wax: ideal in a glass
Soy wax is soft and melts at a low temperature. A soy candle would quickly lose its shape if left freestanding in a glass, this is precisely an advantage: it creates an even melt pool that releases fragrance well into the room.
That is why we pour our scented candles using 100% European soy wax in recycled glass jars. For an Advent wreath, where candles stand freely, soy is the wrong choice.
Olive wax: what remains becomes light
Olive wax is obtained from the residues left over after pressing olive oil. Therefore, no additional trees or fields are needed. It is grown and processed in Europe.
- Plant-based and vegan. No paraffin, no palm oil, no animal ingredients.
- Dimensionally stable. Firm enough for taper and pillar candles that stand freely exactly what an Advent wreath requires.
- Natural color. Olive wax is naturally warm white. We do not dye it.
The downside: it is more expensive than paraffin or stearin, and there are few manufacturers who work with it. An olive wax candle therefore costs more than a candle from a large retailer. We explain how we choose our raw materials in detail on the Materials page.
The underestimated part: the wick
Whether a candle produces soot often depends less on the wax than on the wick and how you let it burn. An overly long wick, drafts, or a flame that is too large will cause any candle to soot, regardless of what it is made of.
We use cotton wicks, either made from organic cotton from Italy or certified according to Oeko-Tex Standard 100 from Germany. You can find out how to trim them correctly in How to burn candles properly.
Frequently asked questions about candle wax
How do I recognize candles without paraffin?
Only by the manufacturer's disclosure. If there is nothing on the packaging, it is in most cases paraffin or a blend. Reputable manufacturers specify the wax—and, in the case of stearin, the source as well.
Which wax is best suited for Advent candles?
A firm wax that can stand freely: olive wax, stearin, or beeswax. Soy wax is too soft and belongs in a glass. If you want plant-based and palm-oil-free, you will end up with olive wax.
Are olive wax candles more expensive?
Yes. The raw material is scarcer and processing is more complex. With us, individual pillar candles start at CHF 12, and taper candles start at CHF 18.