If you’ve ever poured a soy candle only to notice white, crystal-like patterns forming on the surface or sides of the jar, you’ve experienced frosting. While it can be frustrating for candle makers, frosting is actually a natural characteristic of soy wax and other plant-based waxes. In this post, we’ll explore why frosting happens, how to reduce it, and why it’s not necessarily a bad thing.
What Is Frosting?
Frosting is a white, powdery, or crystal-like coating that appears on the surface or along the glass sides of soy candles. It occurs because soy wax is a natural product that likes to return to its original crystalline structure.
Think of frosting as soy wax’s way of showing its natural character — it doesn’t affect the scent, burn, or safety of your candle. It’s simply cosmetic.
Why Does Frosting Happen?
Wax Crystallization: As soy wax cools, it forms crystals on the surface.
Temperature Changes: Rapid cooling or extreme fluctuations encourage frosting.
Wax Type: 100% soy wax is more prone to frosting compared to blended waxes.
Pouring Conditions: Pouring too hot or too cold can make frosting more likely.
How to Minimise Frosting
Although frosting can’t always be prevented (especially with pure soy), you can reduce it with these techniques:
- Control Pour Temperature
- Follow your wax supplier’s recommendations (often 120–140°F for soy).
- Test slightly cooler or warmer temps in small batches to see what works best.
- Preheat Containers
- Warm jars before pouring to encourage even cooling.
- Cool Slowly & Evenly
- Let candles set in a draft-free, room-temperature environment.
- Avoid placing candles on cold surfaces (use a towel or cardboard).
- Stir Gently
- Mix fragrance oil slowly to prevent air bubbles, which can worsen frosting.
- Use Blends or Additives
- Coconut or paraffin blends can reduce frosting.
- Some additives (like Vybar) help improve appearance.
Embracing Frosting
For many makers, frosting is a sign that their candles are 100% natural soy. Some even highlight it to customers as proof of a clean, additive-free product.
If you’re selling candles, consider educating your customers:
- Frosting does not affect performance.
- It’s a natural trait of soy wax.
- Each candle will have a unique look, just like natural stone or wood.