Wick Whispers: The Pros and Cons of Coconut Apricot Wax Candles
Welcome back to Wick Whispers, where we chat about all things candles at Artemis Illuminated. Today, we're shedding light on (or dare I say - illuminating?) my favourite wax blend: coconut apricot wax. Look no further if you've been searching for a candle wax that combines luxury, sustainability, and superior performance. With that said, there are some things to keep in mind when deciding if this wax is for you. So, let's get right into the pros and cons of coconut-apricot wax!
Pros:
1. High Fragrance Capacity
Ceda Serica can safely handle up to 10-12% fragrance load! From my experience, to ensure a good hot throw, add fragrance at high temperatures (as directed by the supplier) and allow a 2-3 weeks cure time. Online suppliers recommend mixing around 82'-99'C/180-210'F. Consider this when reviewing the flashpoints of your fragrance oils. I have seen online descriptions say this wax only needs a 72-hour cure time, which may be true for wick testing, but I've found the scent throw will take more time to come through. Fear not if you don't have a great cold throw immediately after pouring.
2. Eco-Friendly and Sustainable
Coconut apricot wax is eco-friendly! Both coconut and apricot waxes are derived from renewable resources. Coconut wax is crafted from coconut meat, a sustainable and cruelty-free crop. By opting for coconut apricot wax candles, you actively support sustainable agricultural practices and can reduce your carbon footprint.
3. Clean Burning
Coconut apricot wax candles burn cleanly, producing minimal soot compared to traditional paraffin candles. This means you can enjoy your favourite scents without worrying about harmful chemicals being released into your home. Blend this wax with your favourite paraben-free and phthalate-free fragrance oil to ensure a clean burning experience.
4. Luxurious Aesthetic
Coconut apricot wax isn't just functional; it's also aesthetically pleasing. This wax has a creamy, smooth texture and a glossy finish, giving the candles a luxurious and high-end appearance. Whether using them as part of your home décor or gifting them to a loved one, these candles bring elegance to any space.
5. Vegan and Cruelty-Free
At Artemis Illuminated, we prioritize sourcing ethically produced materials, and coconut apricot wax candles align perfectly with our values. This wax is cruelty-free, meaning it is not derived from animal products and is not tested on animals (and as a business owned by a vegetarian and named after a rescue rabbit, that's important to us).
Bonus: It is skin-safe—it even feels nice on my hands after chopping up the slab (which reminds me to point out that it comes as a slab).
Cons:
1. Wicking and Atypical Melt-Pools
The wick-testing learning curve can be steep. When learning the art of candle-making, you are often told to ensure two things when testing your wick: 1) that your candle reaches a full melt-pool by the end of your first burn (3-4 hours), and/or 2) that the melt-pool should expand by 1 inch per hour of burning. This isn't true with coconut apricot wax. I made this mistake in the first few candles I made with coconut apricot wax. Each candle I made that reached a full melt-pool during the first burn became too hot (which I'm defining as reaching over 60'C/140'F in one corner along the top rim of the candle) during the bottom half of the candle. This wax does not have the same 'memory' as soy wax and will not tunnel. I find that with my wax and wick combination (I recommend trying CDNs), a crescent shape of wax will often form along one side of the candle; this will burn away near the end of the candle. This can make learning when a candle is truly under-wicked difficult at first, but with trial and error, you'll get there!
2. Cost
Let's face it: this wax is expensive. If you opt to make and sell candles with this wax, you may end up finding yourself in the 'luxury' market/price range, whether or not that was your intended demographic.
3. Contains a Small Amount of Food-Grade Paraffin
While the exact breakdown of ingredients is proprietary, most online sellers describe the amount of FDA-approved (you may wonder why a Canadian is referencing the FDA, that's because this wax is made in the USA) food-grade paraffin added to give the wax stability as 'minuscule' or 'a touch.'
4. Softness
Because this wax is so soft, it is difficult to make any designs or to play with textures. For example, I sell candles with an 'ice cream scoop' of wax on top. In order to get the level of detail I am looking for in my scoops, I have to add soy wax to my coconut apricot wax. If you plan to do any wax whipping, you may wish to do the same.
In conclusion, coconut apricot wax candles offer a harmonious blend of sustainability, superior performance, and luxurious aesthetics. They're an excellent choice for anyone looking to elevate their candle experience while staying mindful of the environment and ethical considerations.
Thank you for joining us on this journey through the benefits and drawbacks of coconut apricot wax candles!