Sweating Candles

Why Do Soy Candles Sweat?

If you’ve noticed tiny droplets of oil appearing on the surface of your soy candle, don’t worry this is completely normal and doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with your candle.

What Is Candle Sweating?

Candle sweating occurs when fragrance oil separates slightly from the natural soy wax and appears as small beads or a light sheen on the surface of the candle. This is most common during periods of warmer weather or when candles are stored in fluctuating temperatures.

Because soy wax is a natural product, it behaves differently from paraffin wax. It is more sensitive to changes in temperature and can occasionally show signs of its natural characteristics, including frosting, slight colour variations, and sweating.

Why Does It Happen?

There are a few common reasons why a soy candle may sweat:

• Exposure to direct sunlight
• Warm rooms or high ambient temperatures
• Rapid temperature fluctuations
• Seasonal changes, particularly during summer

The fragrance oils used to scent candles can react to these conditions and rise to the surface of the wax.

Does Sweating Affect the Candle?

In most cases, no. Sweating is purely cosmetic and does not affect the safety, scent throw, or performance of your candle.

Many candle makers actually see it as a sign of a natural wax product, much like the slight imperfections found in handmade goods.

What Can Be Done About It?

If your candle has developed a little sweating, simply:

• Gently wipe the surface with a clean, dry cloth or paper towel. It is important that you remove the oil before you light the candle.
• Store the candle in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
• Keep the lid on when not in use to help protect the wax.

Once lit, the wax will melt and the candle will continue to perform as intended.

A Natural Characteristic of Soy Wax

At Embers & Roots, we choose natural soy wax because it offers a cleaner, more sustainable burn. While natural waxes can occasionally display characteristics such as frosting or sweating, these are signs of the nature of the material rather than faults in the candle itself.