Candles are commonly made from waxes that contain fats and oils. Interestingly enough, the wax in your ears have these two things too.
So that begs the question: “Can you make a candle out of ear wax?” Well, I’m here to answer it for you!
Is Earwax Suitable For Candles?
On paper, yes, but it’s not as simple as it sounds. First of all, you’d need quite a lot of earwax to craft just one candle, and collecting it all is gross.
Furthermore, earwax isn’t the right kind of fat, it won’t burn well and it smells a bit weird when it gets hot. In fact, earwax candles you might see in stores sometimes don’t actually contain real earwax.
Instead, it is ideal to leave the wax in your ears to do its job, and stick to regular candle wax for your candle-making projects.
The Science Behind Ear Wax
The glands present in your ears are called ceruminous and sebaceous glands. They work together to create ear wax, which is scientifically known as cerumen.
The ceruminous glands then secrete a type of sweat, while the sebaceous glands give off an oily liquid. When these get together with dead skin cells and hair, they create the ear wax we’re familiar with.
The sticky attribute of ear wax is really vital as it acts like a safe barrier catching dust, dirt, and even germs inside that could harm your ear canal and eardrum.
Cleaning Your Ears
Even though it looks unpleasant for us, having ear wax is normal and in fact healthy. Take some time out to clean your ears and remove the wax so it all doesn’t get congested, pushing in with a cotton earbud is your best bet, instead of just putting anything.
If it always gets too excessive, do not take it in your own hands and attempt hollow ear candling, it will trigger discomfort and in worse scenarios, maybe even sinus pressure and hearing damage. Instead, it’s much wiser to take professional medical help.
Reasonable Options For Candle Wax
Now that it is clear to say ear wax isn’t suitable, let’s look at the other options you people would have:
Paraffin Wax
Paraffin is a synthetic product which comes from the by-product of petroleum and oil. It’s often affordable and has a low melting point, which helps it stand out.
However, paraffin wax is not eco-friendly and can be toxic when it comes in contact with heat and flame, giving off adverse effects.
Soy Wax
This type is now having a growing demand in the market.
Soy wax is an entirely vegan product, which is made from soy beans. It burns clean when it catches on fire, and is also regarded as one of the more biodegradable options.
Beeswax
As the name suggests, this wax is produced by hard working honey bees. It is not considered vegan and because of it’s “exotic” status, it is also really costly and a hard way to get hold of.
However, it helps to burn really brightly and for longer amounts of time.
Conclusion
So it’s the end now and we’ve pretty much explained every little detail you you need to know!
To summarize it in one line: Instead of using ear wax, go for regular things like paraffin, soy, and beeswax.