Soybean wax

Soybean wax, often referred to simply as "soy wax," is produced with hydrogenated soybean oil. It was created by inventor Michael Richards in 1993, who was looking for a cheaper alternative to beeswax, thus becoming the first wax innovation in the candle industry for over a hundred years.

Its main disadvantage is lower melting point, resulting in candles which deform easily in hot weather and drip readily when burning.

It has not been documented that soy wax is a safer alternative to paraffin, but can be cheaper than beeswax.

Because of the addition of chemicals to soy beans to make them into a viable wax, it is generally equal to paraffin and beeswax for biodegradable waxes.

Soy is listed as a major food allergen by the FDA. If a person has reactions to soy, paraffin can be a safe alternative.