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Beeswax has been used for light for thousands of years. Long before paraffin or modern wax blends existed, people relied on beeswax candles for clean, steady illumination.

At Blossom & Hive, we have deliberately chosen beeswax. Not because it is trendy, but because it performs well, is naturally produced, and aligns with how we want to make products, with care for people, place, and the natural world.

This article explains what beeswax is, where ours comes from, how it compares to other common candle waxes, and what you can expect when you burn a beeswax candle at home.

In brief

We use Australian beeswax because it is a natural, renewable material that burns slowly, produces a steady flame, and requires no synthetic additives to perform well.

Compared to soy and paraffin, beeswax is firmer, longer-lasting by weight, and naturally scented by the wax itself. Our beeswax is sourced locally and chosen for its consistency, safety, and alignment with low-waste, responsible making.

What is beeswax?

Beeswax is a natural wax produced by honeybees. Worker bees secrete wax from glands on their abdomen, then chew and shape it into the honeycomb structure used to store honey and raise brood.

Once honey is harvested, the wax cappings and old comb can be gently melted and filtered. When properly cleaned, the result is pure beeswax ready to be used for candles, balms, and other traditional applications.

Beeswax contains no synthetic additives. Its colour ranges from pale cream to deep gold, depending on the flowers the bees forage from and how the wax is filtered.

Where our beeswax comes from

Our candles are made using Australian beeswax sourced from trusted local beekeepers on the Mid North Coast of NSW.

This matters for a few reasons.

First, it supports Australian beekeepers and local supply chains. Second, it reduces transport and handling. Third, it allows us to better understand how the wax behaves because it comes from known conditions and floral regions.

Beeswax is not a uniform material. Its hardness, colour, and burn characteristics can vary slightly from batch to batch. We work with those natural variations rather than trying to eliminate them through heavy processing.

How beeswax compares to soy and paraffin

Most candles today are made from paraffin or soy wax. Each has its place, but they behave very differently to beeswax.

Paraffin wax

Paraffin is a petroleum by-product. It is widely used because it is inexpensive, consistent, and easy to work with.

However, it is not a renewable material, and many people prefer to avoid burning petroleum-based products indoors. Paraffin candles often require added fragrance and stabilisers to perform well.

Soy wax

Soy wax is derived from soybean oil. It is a popular alternative to paraffin and is often described as plant-based.

Soy wax is softer than beeswax and usually blended with additives to improve burn performance. Most soy wax used in candles is highly processed, and much of it is imported. It also behaves very differently in warm weather and can be more prone to frosting and surface changes.

Beeswax

Beeswax is naturally firm, slow-burning, and stable. It does not require additives to perform well. When burned, it produces a steady flame and a naturally warm glow.

Beeswax also has a subtle, natural honey aroma. This comes from the wax itself, not from added fragrance. Some people notice it, others do not, but it is never overpowering.

Burn behaviour and safety

Beeswax burns differently to soy and paraffin due to its higher melting point and natural density.

Because it has a higher melting point, beeswax candles tend to burn more slowly and last longer by weight. They also produce a strong flame that supports a stable melt pool when correctly wicked.

That said, beeswax candles are not immune to real-world conditions. Drafts, wick length, and burn time all matter.

Things to know when burning beeswax candles:

• Always trim the wick before lighting
• Burn away from drafts
• Allow enough burn time for the melt pool to develop properly
• Extinguish if the flame becomes too large or flickers excessively

Some sellers claim beeswax candles never drip. That is not realistic. A well-made beeswax candle can burn very cleanly, but airflow, wick trimming, and surface level all play a role. We prefer to be honest about that.

For practical tips on getting the best performance from beeswax candles, see our guide to beeswax candle burning tips.

Environmental considerations

Beeswax is a natural by-product of beekeeping. When sourced responsibly, it supports pollination, biodiversity, and food production.

Using Australian beeswax helps reduce reliance on imported waxes and long supply chains. It also allows us to work with a renewable material that does not require synthetic stabilisers or heavy processing to function.

We also consider what happens after the candle is used. Beeswax remnants can be composted, reused, or repurposed. Our packaging choices aim to reflect the same low-waste values.

Why this matters to us

We choose beeswax because it fits how we work and how we live.

It is not the cheapest wax. It is not the easiest wax. It does not behave exactly the same every time.

But it is honest, functional, and time-tested. It does what a candle should do without unnecessary extras.

That is why we use Australian beeswax in our candles, and why we are happy to explain exactly how and why it behaves the way it does.

Explore our beeswax candles

If you are looking for natural candlelight made with Australian beeswax, you can browse our beeswax candle collection.