What goes into a colored candle
A colored candle is built from a few core components: wax, a wick, fragrance (optional), a dye or pigment for color, and sometimes small amounts of additives. When a candle burns, the flame melts the wax, the liquid wax travels up the wick, and it is the vaporized wax that actually burns. This is why everything blended into the wax matters to how the candle performs.
If you are new to making candles, our intention candle making guide covers the full process from melting to the first burn. This article focuses on what is in the candle.
Wax
Wax is the main ingredient and the base that color is added to. Common types include:
- Paraffin: a refined petroleum-derived wax. It takes color well and often produces vivid shades, and it is inexpensive.
- Soy wax: made from hydrogenated soybean oil. It is naturally creamy white, so it gives softer, more muted colors.
- Beeswax: a natural wax from honeycomb. It has its own yellow to brown tint, which shifts any added color.
- Coconut and other blends: often blended with soy or other waxes for a smooth finish and good scent throw.
Because each wax has a different base tone, the same dye can look different in each. Testing a small batch is the most reliable way to predict the result. For a closer comparison of the two most common options, see soy vs paraffin candle wax.
Wick
Most candle wicks are braided cotton or paper, and some are wood. They are sized to the candle’s diameter. Historically some wicks used a metal core for stiffness, and lead-core wicks have been banned in the United States since 2003 and are restricted in other regions. If you are buying candles from an unfamiliar source, look for a clearly stated wick material.
Fragrance
Scented candles use fragrance oils (synthetic or blended), essential oils or a mix. The fragrance is usually a small percentage of the candle’s weight. Candle labels often list only “fragrance,” and the exact formula is generally treated as a trade secret by the supplier. If this matters to you, look for brands that say whether their fragrance is phthalate-free and who the supplier is. Some fragrances can also alter the color of wax slightly, another reason to test first. For how to choose and use them, see how to use fragrance oils.
Dyes and pigments
Color is the part that makes a candle “colored.” Candle makers use several forms:
Liquid dyes
Concentrated liquids that blend smoothly into melted wax. They are easy to measure by the drop, which is useful for repeating a shade.
Dye chips and blocks
Solid dye that melts into the wax. Chips are convenient for beginners because you can add a piece at a time.
Powdered dyes and pigments
Powders offer strong color but can be harder to dissolve evenly. Some pigments do not dissolve at all and stay suspended, which may clog the wick if too much is used.
Natural colorants
Some makers experiment with plant-based materials such as spices or powdered botanicals. These are less predictable. They can fade, turn brown with heat, or burn in the melt pool, so they are not a straightforward swap. Use supplier-tested products where possible.
Whatever you choose, use a colorant made for candles and follow the supplier’s recommended amount. Too much dye can affect how the candle burns, because heavily dyed wax can clog the wick.
Additives
Some candles contain small amounts of additives that adjust how the wax behaves:
- Stearic acid: commonly added to harden wax and improve color and opacity. It can come from plant or animal sources, which matters if you want a vegan candle (see is candle wax vegan).
- Vybar and similar polymers: used in some paraffin candles to help hold fragrance and improve opacity.
- UV inhibitors: sometimes added to reduce fading when candles are displayed in light.
Not all candles contain additives, and the amounts used are usually small.
Why not food coloring or crayons
Food coloring is water-based, and water does not mix with wax. It tends to produce uneven color, and the water can cause sputtering when the candle burns. Crayons may seem convenient, but they contain their own binders and pigments, which can clog wicks and change how the candle burns. Candle-specific dyes are designed to dissolve in wax and are the safer, more predictable choice.
How to make your own colored candles
- Choose your wax and weigh it. Follow the supplier’s temperature guidance.
- Melt it slowly in a double boiler, never over direct heat, and do not leave it unattended.
- Add dye in small amounts. Start with a few drops of liquid dye or a small piece of a chip. Stir until fully dissolved.
- Test the color. Put a drop of the wax on a white paper plate or into a small cup. Wax usually looks darker while liquid and lighter once it cools, so let the sample set before judging.
- Add fragrance at the recommended temperature, if using, and stir well.
- Pour into a prepared container with a centered wick, and let it cool undisturbed.
- Keep notes on how much dye you used per weight of wax so you can repeat the shade.
For more on choosing scents and pairing them with colors, see the pairings in our intention candle making guide.
What non-toxic candles are made of
“Non-toxic” has no single legal definition for candles, so it is worth looking at the actual ingredients rather than the claim. Candles marketed this way typically use plant-based or natural waxes such as soy, coconut, rapeseed or beeswax, cotton or wood wicks, and fragrance described as phthalate-free or scented only with essential oils. “Pure soy” can also be unclear, since there is no widely applied standard for what percentage the phrase means, so look for a stated wax composition.
Keep in mind that natural does not automatically mean safe for everyone. Some essential oils can be harmful to pets, and any burning candle releases some soot and particulates. Good ventilation, trimmed wicks and a well-chosen candle matter more than any single label. If you have health concerns, such as asthma, speak with a health professional.
What Yankee Candle uses
Yankee Candle does not publish a full ingredient formula, and fragrance blends are proprietary. The company has described its products as made primarily of paraffin-based wax with fragrance, cotton wicks and dye, though formulations differ by product line and change over time, so check the label or the company’s current product information for the candle you have. This is also why it is hard to compare commercial fragrance candles ingredient by ingredient.
How many candles from 1 kg wax
Divide 1,000 g by the weight of wax each container holds. A jar holding about 200 g of wax gives roughly five candles, and a small 100 g tin gives about ten. Dye and fragrance add a little weight, and some wax is lost in the pitcher, so expect slightly fewer than the arithmetic suggests.
Reading a candle label
When comparing candles, look for:
- A stated wax type, and whether it is a blend.
- The wick material.
- Whether the fragrance is described as phthalate-free or made with essential oils.
- Dye information, if the brand provides it.
- Clear burn and safety instructions.
A brand that explains its ingredients is generally easier to trust than one using vague terms alone.