Glossary
Frosting
White, crystalline patterns that can appear on the surface of soy or other natural wax candles as they cool and age.
Frosting is the white, slightly crystalline pattern that can form on the surface or sides of a candle made with soy or other natural waxes. It happens as the wax's natural crystal structure continues to shift after the candle has set, and it can appear right after pouring or show up gradually over the following days or weeks.
Frosting is a cosmetic characteristic of natural wax rather than a sign of a flawed candle, and it does not affect how the candle burns or how safe it is to use. Even so, it matters commercially, since some buyers expect a perfectly smooth, glass-like top and may see frosting as a defect if it is not explained on a product listing or care card.
Pour temperature, cooling speed, and the specific wax blend all influence how much frosting appears, and slower, more controlled cooling tends to reduce it somewhat. A common mistake is discarding candles with light frosting as failures. Many sellers instead mention on their labeling that light frosting is a normal trait of natural wax.