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The Candle Superstore
The Candle Superstore
When crafting candles, deciding which wax you’ll use is a crucial part of the production as well as the performance of your candle. Each wax is different and usually designed to do a certain purpose, which is why many candle makers are sometimes surprised to know they may need an additive to ensure they get the best quality candle out of their wax. In this blog our candle making expert will go over what additives are and why you may need them.
Additives are additional products/ingredients that you can add to your candle wax to improve the quality of the finished product.
Currently, we carry 10 different candle additives all of which have a different purpose to ensure the best performance and quality of your candles.
Note: It’s important to understand before using additives that some waxes are already blended with additives so there is no need to add additional additives. However, most wax described as a base paraffin wax meaning they have been blended with paraffin but there were no performance enhancing additives blended in at the time of its manufacturing will likely need an additive such as our Vybar 260.
Wax additives can help reduce product imperfections as well as the performance of your candle, they may also enhance the appearance and overall lifespan of your product.
Wax additives can split into 3 distinct groups.
Polymers: Polymers also known as synthetic polyethylenes and copolymers. These additives are used to improve the appearance and performance of a candle. Vybars are the most commonly used polymer to improve opacity, hardness, fragrance retention and color.
Microcrystalline Waxes: Microcrystalline waxes are used to harden wax, glass adhesion in container candles and elevating fragrance load.
Individually Based Solution Additives: Stearic Acid, Stearin, Mineral Oils, Mottling Oils, Polysorbate, UV Light Inhibitor and UV Light Stabilizer, EVA, Petrolatum, Polyethylene, Container Maker and Universal Additive are mostly used to improve the appearance and to enhance the scent and color lifespan.
There are many pros and cons to using additives as they do help enhance your candle wax but some additives have unnatural ingredients that some candle makers dislike. Ultimately though you do not have to use additives if it does not fit into your candle making process a good alternative for an additive to harden your candles as well as staying natural would be adding Beeswax to your wax.
To learn in explicit details about each of our additives please read our previous blog
Excellent as an additive for candle making. Micro wax cubes will add rigidity to tapers, help the wax adhere to the walls of the container candles, and reduce or eliminate mottling in pillars (without adding much opacity). Recommended usage is 2% (2 teaspoons per pound of wax). Micro wax 175 is also available in pre-measured cubes. Due to its high melt point and pliability, pure microcrystalline also makes a good sculpting wax for art projects and lost wax processes.
Melt point is approximately 175° F (79 C).
Microcrystalline Wax – Its characteristics resemble those of the natural waxes closely, including its high melting point, high viscosity, flexibility at low temperatures, and high cohesion and adhesion. Micro waxes can be either soft and ductile, or, firm and brittle. Melting points range from 145 – 200+ degrees Fahrenheit. Color values include Black, Brown, Amber, Yellow, Ivory, and White. Micro waxes can be used as substitutes for natural waxes. Micro waxes can be used for chewing gum base, cosmetics, ointments where they harden, lubricate and protect against moisture, food packaging, protecting against moisture through wax impregnated paper, film, foil, and corrugated board, increasing the fluidity and the flexible bonding of hot-melt adhesives, crayons, candles and insulating materials.
Vybar 260 candle additive: lower melt point Vybar used in container candles and votive candles to lock color and scent in wax. Use 1 teaspoon per pound of wax as a hardener, and make candles opaque.
Vybar 260 enhances fragrances & color quality, increases hardness and surface gloss, and also helps reduce air bubbles and mottling.
Vybar 260 candle additive provides a number of benefits to your candle but its defining purpose is fragrance retention. Vybar allows you to obtain high fragrance loads without migration (eliminate mottling). It also is beneficial in achieving a more consistent product; it helps with uniform dye dispersion and a reduction in surface flaws. This will allow you to cut down the number of rejects, which in return can save you time and money. Usage is .5 to 2% by weight; the amount of fragrance oil can change the recommended usage. Vybar enables the candlemaker to put twice or even three times as much fragrance oil into their mixture, causing the candles to have much better hot throw.
Vybar 260 is used for softer, lower melt point waxes such as container waxes. Recommended usage is 1 teaspoon per pound of wax but will vary per application. Don’t overdo it, though, because too much vybar can actually trap the fragrance in your candle, reducing your candle’s hot throw.
Excellent as an additive for candle making. Micro wax 175 will add rigidity to tapers, help the wax adhere to the walls of the container candles, and reduce or eliminate mottling in pillars (without adding much opacity). Recommended usage is 2% (2 teaspoons per pound of wax). Micro wax 175 is also available in pre-measured cubes. Due to its high melt point and pliability, pure microcrystalline also makes a good sculpting wax for art projects and lost wax processes.
Melt point is approximately 175° F (79 C).
Microcrystalline Wax – Its characteristics resemble those of the natural waxes closely, including its high melting point, high viscosity, flexibility at low temperatures, and high cohesion and adhesion. Micro waxes can be either soft and ductile, or, firm and brittle. Melting points range from 145 – 200+ degrees Fahrenheit. Color values include Black, Brown, Amber, Yellow, Ivory, and White. Micro waxes can be used as substitutes for natural waxes. Micro waxes can be used for chewing gum base, cosmetics, ointments where they harden, lubricate and protect against moisture, food packaging, protecting against moisture through wax impregnated paper, film, foil, and corrugated board, increasing the fluidity and the flexible bonding of hot-melt adhesives, crayons, candles and insulating materials.
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