Pros of Beeswax Candles
1. Beeswax Candles are Natural
Beeswax candles are 100% natural. Beeswax is a by product of honey production. It is made by bees and is extracted from honeycomb, thus making beeswax 100% natural.
2. Beeswax is Sustainable
Beeswax has been harvested for centuries from bees. It has proven itself to be not only a very useful, but also a very sustainable product. This, like all things however, relies upon us looking after the planet and not adding to it's destruction.
3. Beeswax Candles are Eco-friendly
All Natural- especially if they use a cotton wick or a wooden wick, Beeswax candles are eco-friendly.
4. Brighter and Warmer Flame
Beeswax candles would have to be the nicest candle in terms of the bright warm light that they emit whilst burning- there is simply no competition!
5. Longer burn time
Beeswax is a very dense wax (0.958) which causes it to burn much more slowly than a paraffin or soy candle.
6. Less messy
Because of the slow rate at which the beeswax candles burn, they produce less drips than ither their soy candle or paraffin candle counterparts.
7. Can be more cost effective than other candles
Because the beeswax is so dense and burns for longer than other candles of the same size, the beeswax candles can actually be more cost effective in the long run than other candles.
8. Beeswax candles are naturally slightly scented
Because they are extracted from the honeycomb, natural beeswax candles tend to have a very pleasant mild honey scent to them. This makes them a very non-intrusive candle to burn whilst having dinner or during times when you do not want highly scented candles.
9. Beeswax candles burn cleanly
Because beeswax candles burn so slowly, they also tend to produce less smoke if kept properly trimmed.
Cons of Beeswax Candles
1. Beeswax candles do not hold scent well
One of the drawbacks to the density of the beeswax candle is that it will not hold scent very well. If you would like scented candles, you are actually better off with paraffin candles such as the meditation range that we stock, or a candle made with a combination of soy and paraffin wax.
2. Beeswax candles have a higher initial cost.
Beeswax candles are more expensive than any other types of candles. This is because they are a natural product and are in shorter supply than either soy or paraffin candles. However, their high initial cost is often outweighed by the fact that they last longer- see number 7 above.
3. Beeswax candles are harder to dye
Again, if your idea is to have coloured candles, such as those used in Wicca for spells, you are actually better off with paraffin. Beeswax does not take on other colours as well as either paraffin or soy (and if you would like taper candles, you cannot use soy as it melts in warm temperatures, which is why it is usually only seen as container candles.)
4. Beeswax is often mixed with other waxes to make it cheaper
If you are purchasing beeswax candles, ask if the candles are indeed pure (or close to pure) beeswax. Manufacturers' often add other waxes such as paraffin to their candles to decrease the costs of production.
* some manufacturers add a release agent to their beeswax candles which is simply to help it release from the mould. This is only a small amount and should not affect the beeswax candle.
If you are looking for Australian made, natural beeswax candles visit our beeswax candles here.