After hearing somewhere that those cheap paraffin candles you’d been burning were a petroleum product releasing toxins into your home, you did some research about the healthiest candles and found out that beeswax candles are the best choice for your home. They also had the added bonus of being made sustainably, so you invested in a large beeswax pillar candle.
You waited for the right time to light it—maybe it was a special occasion or perhaps you just decided it was time for some deep relaxation and self-love (at Honey Candles we think it’s always the right time to light a beeswax candle!). You enjoyed it burning for 3–4 hours as instructed to avoid tunneling, dunked the wick in the wax pool so that it wouldn’t smoke when you extinguished it, and then continued with your day.
The next time you glanced at your beautiful, healthy candle, you noticed an obvious crack right through the middle of the candle top—so what went wrong?
Why Beeswax Candles Crack
Beeswax naturally shrinks as it cools. Sometimes, especially in larger diameter candles, this can result in cracks. If the candle cools too quickly, or if there’s a draft or chill in the room, the outside will harden before the inside. That uneven cooling creates stress in the wax, resulting in a crack across the surface.
Remember: cracks are purely cosmetic and do not affect how your candle burns. They are a normal part of working with pure beeswax and part of its charm and authenticity.
How to Prevent Cracks
- Cool slowly in a warm space – Keep candles away from drafts, open windows, or cold surfaces.
- Maintain steady room temperature – Sudden temperature changes increase the risk of cracking.
- Be patient – Let candles sit at room temperature for several hours before lighting.
How to Correct Cracks
Beeswax is a natural and beautiful material, but it’s also soft and sensitive. Trying to fix cracks with heat or force can sometimes make the damage worse or change the surface texture. The safest ways to address cracks are simple and gentle:
Relight the candle – As the wax melts, it may flow into the crack and correct it naturally.
Embrace the natural variations – Minor surface cracks are normal in pure beeswax and do not reduce quality.
FAQ
Do cracks affect how beeswax candles burn?
No. Surface cracks are cosmetic and will not change how your candle burns.
Are beeswax candles supposed to look “perfect”?
No. Beeswax is a 100% natural material, and slight variations in color, bloom, or texture are completely normal.
Why choose beeswax candles over other types?
Beeswax is the safest choice for your home, burns cleanly without toxins, and is sustainably sourced, making it a worthwhile investment for both your health and your environment.
Learn More
For more tips on caring for your beeswax candles, check out:
