Best Stearic Acid for Harder, Opaque Candles

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Stearic acid is the classic hardener. Added to wax it raises the melt point, makes candles more opaque and creamy white, and helps pillars release cleanly from molds. It is most common in paraffin work, though some makers use it in blends for firmer freestanding shapes. What varies is source, since it can be palm, tallow, or synthetic derived, plus purity, flake size, and how much it dulls fragrance throw at higher rates. We weighed stated purity and source, how well flakes melted and blended in, hardness and opacity gained at typical rates, and whether the supplier gives clear guidance. Vegetable derived stearic suits makers with plant based labelling. Fine flakes suit small batches that melt fast. Start low, around a modest percentage of your wax, and retest wick size, because harder wax usually needs more heat to hold a full melt pool.