Wax Additives: Everything Candle Makers Need to Know

April 14, 2021 SM

Link

Ever heard of candle additives? Want to know what they are and how to use them? Our candle expert will go through everything a candle maker needs to know about additives and how you might need them for your candle project.

1. PARAFLINT H-1

Paraffin wax is naturally translucent but it tends to bear snow spots or mottling. No additive will make paraffin transparent but Paraflint H-1 can clarify it. It provides a cleaner glow.

If you want a glow-though quality in your candle, add some Paraflint to your wax without any other kind of additive.

Having a relatively high melt point, Paraflint needs to be melted separately from the wax with a higher heat source. Adding 20% makes a good veneer, which will help reduce dripping.

Recommended use: 1 teaspoon per pound of wax

2. Micro Wax 175

Excellent as an additive for candle making, Micro Wax 175 will add rigidity to tapers. It helps wax adhere to the walls of the container candles, and reduce or eliminate mottling in pillar candles without adding much opacity.

Due to its high melt point and pliability, pure microcrystalline also makes a good sculpting wax for art projects and lost wax processes.

Recommended use: 2 cubes per pound of wax

3. Micro Wax 195

Microcrystalline Wax 195 is a translucent candle additive that will harden the candle, raise the melt point and reduce or eliminate mottling. It is much harder than Micro Wax 175 and is recommended for pillars and tapers. It comes in a bead form that is easy to use and measure.

Recommended use: 1 to 2 teaspoons per pound of wax

Melt point: about 195ºF or 91ºC

4. Poly AC-6A

Poly AC-6A is a candle additive that will harden your candles while making them less translucent. It also gives your candles a shine finish.

Recommended use: 1 teaspoon per pound of wax

5. Stearic Powder

Triple-pressed stearic powder, also known as Stearin, may be used in any amount from 1% to 100%. It acts as a hardener for low melt point waxes and lowers the melt point of higher temperature waxes. In low percentages, it may have a tendency to allow snow spots, while used in moderate percentages it will go opaque. At high percentages, a notable crystallization becomes apparent.

Recommended use: between 1% to 100%

Melt point: about 130ºF or 54ºC

6. Vybar 103

This higher melt point Vybar is used in molded candles to lock color and scent in wax. Use Vybar 103 as a hardener and to help make the candles more opaque.

Recommended use: 1 teaspoon per pound of wax

7. Vybar 260

This lower melt point Vybar is used in container candles and votive candles to lock the color and scent in wax. It will harden your candles and make them look more opaque.

Recommended use: 1 teaspoon per pound of wax

8. Vybar 343

Used in mottling wax candles, Vybar 343 helps lock in color and fragrance. It will make your candle more opaque but it does not take away the mottling look like the other two Vybar types.

Recommended use: 1 teaspoon per pound of wax

9. Uvasorb

Use UVasorb in your candles as a UV inhibitor. It helps reduce color fade caused by UV rays from sunlight and artificial light. Some candle makers consider UVasorb a must for outdoor shows and store displays. This additive blocks both UVA and UVB rays. However, UVasorb is not recommended for use with blacklight responsive colors as it will diminish the effects.

Recommended use: 1/10 of a teaspoon per pound of wax

10. Parol Oil

Use Parol Oil to create mottling. Adding fragrance to your wax will already induce mottling, however, you can add Parol Oil to your mixture if you would like to create additional mottling.

Recommended use: 1 of a teaspoon per pound of wax