What is a Soy Candle?

Candles are great for a number of different purposes. You can use them to light your home, to create a romantic environment for that special someone, and even just light a candle when you want to take a bath and relax. There are a few different types of candles you can choose from.

Although there are various different types of candle that you can choose from, one of the most increasingly popular today is the soy candle. A soy candle is a candle that is made from soy wax, which is hydrogenated soybean oil. There are many benefits that are offered by the soy wax candle, reasons that go to explain why these candles are so popular today.

One of the biggest advantages the soy candle holds over a regular wax candle is that it is cheaper. Beeswax is a great natural alternative to paraffin wax which is what the regular candles are made from, but the problem is that if you want to get the same great results as a candle made of soy, it is going to be very costly to you.

Soy wax is all natural which is another benefit that it holds over its paraffin wax counterpart, and this is one of the favorite reasons of environmentally conscious people everywhere. Not only that, but with a soy candle you will see that it will last you much longer than your regular paraffin wax candle.

They can actually last up to twice as long as the paraffin wax candles, and the spills, if they happen, are much easier to clean. Whereas with a paraffin wax candle if you spill it can be next to impossible to clean the entire mess up, with the soy wax it is a pretty simple procedure.

Another great benefit offered by the soy candles is that they distribute more flavor than their counterparts. It is the incorporation of soybean oil which lowers the melting point of the candle that results in translating into cooler burning candles and in turn a much faster scent dispersion.

These are just a few of the many benefits that are offered by a soy candle in comparison to the others out there.

Creating Beautiful Aromatherapy Candles

Aromatherapy is one of the biggest selling markets today.  Aromatherapy is a holistic treatment that can be used in conjunction with other types of stress relief.  Aromatherapy candles have found their way into many homes, businesses, and alternative health practices. Aromatherapy candles are an excellent way to open up your senses and relieve stress.

Necessary Supplies

Before we begin to make these wonderful candles let us look at what equipment and supplies will be needed.

First you will need essential oils.  Essential oils are obtained from plants using a specific method of distillation.  Essential oils can be very expensive.  The good thing about essential oils is that it only takes a small amount to produce the aroma that you want for your candle.  Some people like to mix these essential oils to make a scent of their own. For now we will stick with just one basic essential oil.  Bergamot is an essential oil used for tension and stress.  It is also an essential oil that is used to help as an antidepressant because it is an uplifting effect.

The type of candle, whether it is a soy or paraffin, will determine the equipment needed. In this article we will show how to make a soy aromatherapy candle using the essential oil for the fragrance. You will need a measuring bowl made of glass to melt your wax, potholders to hold the wax when removing it from the microwave, a spoon, soap, water, a container, essential oil, and dye if desired. You will also need a wick, hot glue gun, and a pencil.

Creating Your Aromatherapy Candle

You are now ready to begin your journey on making your first aromatherapy candle.  Let us take a take a look at wicks.  The wick that you use for your aromatherapy candle can directly effect how your candle burns.  Not all wicks are created equal.  Always purchase the size wick that you need according to the diameter of your candle that you will be crafting.

Now, gather all your supplies and equipment. Place the appropriate amount of soy chip wax into the measuring cup.  To know the amount of wax that you will need you will need to know the capacity of the container that you are putting your aromatherapy candle in.  You can start with a small amount of soy wax chips and add more until you reach the desired amount of melted wax.

While the wax is melting prepare your container by using hot glue to attach the metal portion of the wick to the inside of the container.  Use the pencil with a small amount of the wick wrapped around it to hold the wick in the middle.  Secure the pencil to prevent movement while pouring the wax. Remove the melted wax carefully from the microwave to prevent burns.  Try adding a few drops of essential oil to your melted wax.  It is better to have little than to have too much. That way, when your candle burns, the fragrance does not overwhelm the person that it is for.  This is the experimental part of aromatherapy and most sources do not agree on the amount to use.

Once the oil is in the melted soy wax, mix well and pour into your container.  Be sure the wick is centered after pouring.

For aromatherapy candles using a less decorative glass or tin as the holder will help the person using the candle to concentrate on the aroma and not just on how the container looks.  You now have a beautiful candle that is a wonderful gift to share.  If your candle aroma is not right the first time you may have to experiment with the use of the essential oils to get it right.  Don’t give up; you will create the perfect aromatherapy candle.  Remember, mixing the oils is one way to create your own special aroma.