# Why does my fragrance oil discolor my soy wax?

> Some ingredients in fragrance oil have the potential to impact the color of your candles As part of their formulation our fragrance oils often include natural

Source: https://support.candlescience.com/en_us/why-does-my-fragrance-oil-discolor-my-soy-wax-r1HMO9XJGx

Last updated: 2026-05-16T00:08:04.084Z

Some ingredients in fragrance oil can affect the color of your candles or wax melts. Our fragrance oils often contain natural components like vanillin, citrus oils, cinnamon, and many floral notes that have the potential to cause color shifts in finished products.

Since these components are natural, their color impact can vary from one batch to the next. You may find that your wax shifts to a tan or yellow color more frequently when using fragrances with these components but don’t worry! Nothing is wrong with the fragrance or your finished candles or wax melts. Natural materials simply have more color variability than synthetic materials do.

While discoloration can change the look of your candles or wax melts, it will not affect how well it performs. If, however, you want to reduce the chance of your candles or wax melts discoloring, lowering your fragrance load can help. If you're trying to avoid vanillin specific discoloration, our [vanillin-free](https://www.candlescience.com/soap-fragrance-oil/vanillin-free-fragrance-oils/) fragrances are another great option to consider for candles and wax melts!