Cause of Crystalization in Soy When Making Soy Candles

Frosting on a vegetable wax base candle is a normal part of the wax aging process.

Pure soy wax candles are easy-to-make jar candles which allow the addition of scented oils without overpowering the added fragrance. Soy wax is extremely oily and must be mixed with other waxes to stand alone in a pillar. Otherwise a pure soy wax candle must be put in a jar or container so it doesn't melt out of shape when burning. Soy wax liquefies quickly when burned. Soy wax has other unique characteristics.

Characteristics of Soy Wax

Soy wax liquefies quickly when burned. It only takes a small amount of fragrance oil to make a scented candle out of the wax. Soy blends easily with other waxes but still retains the ability to liquefy when lit. Soy wax blooms or crystallizes over time.

Crystallization

Known as blooming, white marks, frosting, mottling or crystallization, soy wax frosts over as it ages. This is a unique and natural characteristic of 100 percent soy wax candles. The frost is similar to the bloom on unevenly tempered chocolate.

Cause of Crystallization

As vegetable oils such as soy wax age, the oil forms crystals which appear as a white frosting similar to water frost on windows. It can give a candle a dry look. This is due to the structure of the growing crystals. Previously melted soy wax from lighting the candle may frost over when it hardens as burning the candle can speed up the crystallization process. This is why, after first making the candle by melting the soy wax, it may dry with a frosted look. Anything that speeds up the aging process will cause the candle to frost quickly; this includes sunlight and dramatic changes in weather.

Effects of Crystallization

Crystallization looks like a crackled white film. Other than affecting the look of the candle, it does not affect the burning or fragrance of the candle.

Stopping Crystallization

Soy wax crystallization cannot be stopped. Crystallization is a natural part of soy wax aging which may be sped up during the candle making process of melting and pouring the wax.

References

• Belle Candles: Frequently Asked Questions
• Aloha Bay: Soy and Beeswax Candles
• Cool Cat Soy Candles: Scented Soy Candle FAQ