Candle Additives

Stearic Acid
Stearic acid, or stearine, is an animal fat byproduct, but you can find a vegetable (palm oil based) substitute available. It acts as a hardener for low melt point waxes, and lowers the melt point of higher temperature waxes. Over-use will cause the candle to mottle. Recommended amount is 3 TBSP per lb of wax and it can be used in any amount from 1% to 100%.

Vybar
There are two types of vybar:- vybar 103 which is used for wax with a melt point of 131 or higher, and vybar 260 which is used for wax with a melt point of 130 and lower. Vybar will harden the wax, impart a creamy texture to the wax and help with scent throw. It also helps to combine the scent and the wax to give a better scent throw and reduces mottling and tiny air bubbles. Adding too much vybar can bind the fragrance, giving a poor or non existant scent throw. Recommended amount is between ½ tsp. to 1 tsp. per pound of wax.

Luster crystals
A manmade wax polymer. Your colours will come out brighter, your candle will burn longer, and the wax will be opaque. Great for making white candles.

Clear Crystals
Clear crystals are another polymer that hardens the wax like luster crystals but makes the wax more transparent for a glowing effect

Plastic additives
These additives are used to give a transparent effect to hurricane and embedded candles whilst hardening the wax due to their high melt point. Plastic additives require heating over a direct heat source before adding to the correct temperature wax.

Microcrystaline wax
There are many grades of microcrystaline wax that are used for different purposes. One grade can be used as a hardener and another grade can be added to container candles to soften the wax and help reduce wet spots. Microcrystaline soft is also used for hand molding candles.

UV inhibitor
You will need to add UV inhibitor if your candles will be displayed in a sunny window or if you plan to do outdoor craft shows. Purple is the biggest culprit for fading under UV light followed by red. UV inhibitor will only help to protect the candle; it cannot guarantee that they will not fade eventually. Recommended use 1/8 tsp to 1lb wax.

Mineral oil
Add approx 2-3 TBSP mineral oil to 1lb wax if you wish to achieve the mottled look.