If you are an experienced candle maker, or you collect candles, the advantages of soy wax and soy candles are obvious. Soy candles – unlike paraffin candles made from petroleum - are natural with no harmful substances, therefore they are environmental friendly options. They won’t trigger any allergy, and they will also last longer with stronger scent as well. The reason behind the stronger scent and the longer burning time is the fact that soy wax has a lower melting point and it can burn cooler. So you will end up with a ’green’ candle which has a better scent and will last longer! Sounds great, right? If you are experimenting with candle making as a hobby, you might want to try it with soy wax. But there is a way to make it even better – by using coconut oil. Now let’s see what are the benefits of adding some coconut oil to your soy wax.

Pros of using coconut oil

One of the biggest advantage of using coconut oil is that it can eliminate wet spots and reduce frosting. Wet spots can sometimes be seen on the side of your glass container when the wax can’t adhere to the surface properly. And frosting is the crystallization which sometimes occurs with soy wax. So adding coconut oil might reduce the risks of these minor issues.

Also, it will make your candles look even nicer as it will result in a smooth silky top with no cracks or holes. Finally, it will give a nice coconut scent to your candle which is really enjoyable and relaxing. So all things considered, it is a great little trick that is definitely worth trying. But there are a few things that you should know before start making your candles with this new technique.

What to keep in mind?

The most important thing to remember is that different oils and waxes have different melting points – so you have to be cautious when adding it. As adding coconut oil will make your wax even softer, it can sweat on hotter days, or might show fingerprints when touching. To avoid it, keep in mind to only use ½ - 1 teaspoon per pound of wax. This way, you can enjoy all its benefits without ending up with more problems.

Obviously, the quality of the coconut oil is also important. If you want to create good quality candles, you will have to buy a reliable coconut oil, not the cheapest one. As you won’t need much in your candles anyway, it’s not a big investment. This way, the benefits will be really great and no issues will happen with your final product.

Overall, it is safe to say that adding coconut oil to your soy wax is a good practice. You can eliminate some typical problems with soy wax and end up with a smooth and coconut-scented candle. Keep in mind to only add half a teaspoon for every pound and you are good to go!

You can also use a coconut wax which has great results or a coconut wax blend which also has fantastic results, obviously you'll need to do your own testing.