WAX PLAY: Candle Types

There are many kinds of candles and not all of them are suitable for wax play. Let’s look into what we can find on the market.
 

Soy wax candles

Soy wax is processed from soybean oil. Candles made of pure soy wax melt at low temperatures - about 46-57 °C (115-135 °F). The are commonly the lowest temperature candles and due to this fact soy wax is safe for wax play. It is a good choice to start your experiments with this practice. But such low melting point comes with some inconveniences - after you finish dripping the wax onto the skin it is quite difficult to remove because it is very soft. On the other hand being natural it is less likely to cause skin irritations. Keep in mind that 100% soy wax candles are always container candles, as such soft material can’t keep a sturdy form itself.

 

Paraffin wax candles

Paraffin is a synthetic material derived from petroleum, coal or shale oil. Candles made of pure paraffin are white and odorless. A melting point of 46-68 °C (115-154 °F) makes them also suitable for wax play. Actually, paraffin candles are the most popular candles for this kind of BDSM game. Solid enough to keep the shape and not too hot to cause burns.

 

Beeswax candles

This type of wax is a type of natural wax produced by honey bees. Such candles are firm. The color can vary from light yellow to brown. The melting point of 62 to 64 °C (144 to 147 °F) makes them unsuitable for wax play use. Besides they are more likely to cause allergies.

 

Stearin candles

Stearin is a candle material obtained from animal fats (usually a byproduct of processing beef). Candles made of it are white and solid. They are not suitable for wax play due to high melting point of around 80 °C (176 °F) and can cause serious burns.

 

Palm wax candles

Palm wax or carnauba wax is made of of the leaves of the palm Copernicia prunifera. Such candles are good for home decor but not for wax play. The melting point of 82-86 °C (180-187 °F) is the highest among natural waxes.

 

Gel candles

Candle gel is a material made of mineral oils. It is transparent and odorless. Such candles look very attractive but cannot be used for wax play - gel melting point is around 70 to 90 °C (158 to 194 °F) and is too high to use on skin.

 

When buying candles be sure to know the composition as many candles are made of different mixes. Considering, for example, birthday candles, one should remember that they often contain not only paraffin, but also colorants and stearin, which may irritate and burn skin. When speaking about votive candles - the situation is the same - one should know the exact composition and be sure they are not too hot. Most taper decor candles are also too hot as they are usually made with the additives to keep them firm and dripless. The safe option is to buy candles that are made specifically for wax play or to make the candles yourself.   

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