Additive

An additive is a supplementary ingredient blended into candle wax in small amounts to change a specific property, rather than to replace the wax itself. Common examples include vybar, which can improve fragrance retention and opacity, and stearic acid, which is often used to harden wax and help candles release from molds.

Additives matter because they let a maker fine tune one characteristic, like hardness, opacity, mold release, or scent throw, without switching to an entirely different wax. Different additives target different results, so choosing the right one depends on which problem is being solved. Hardness issues, a cloudy or milky appearance, and weak throw are often addressed with different additives rather than the same one for everything.

Additives are typically used at a small percentage of total wax weight, and the supplier's recommended ratio should be followed closely rather than estimated. A common mistake is adding more than the recommended amount of an additive assuming it will improve results further, which can instead throw off pour temperature, melt point, or how the wax burns.