This Candle used to be white! What happened?
Long story short is that fragrance ingredients can cause wax discoloration, especially over time when a candle is exposed to UV Radiation (sunlight). One of the biggest culprits is vanillin - the main component in vanilla fragrance and a very common fragrance ingredient.
You may notice that 'sweet' scents discolor more readily than others! Some candle makers add dyes or UV inhibitors to mitigate the discoloration, but I choose not to add these because I don't feel that they materially enhance the product. To keep your candles from fresh, store them in a cupboard or other dark place until you burn them.
It's important to know that because soy wax is a natural product, and fragrance oils contain natural ingredients, you should expect your candle to change as it ages. Your candle will perform best within a year of purchase (ideally six months) so don't hesitate to light it! While candles don't expire the way food does, over time the fragrance may become softer, and the wax may discolor more readily. I pour all candles to order with wax and fragrance oils that are <1 year old (The wax I'm currently working through as of December 2021 has a production date in October) so they are fresh and ready to burn when you purchase them. I also sell all of my candles with lids, which helps preserve the fragrance and keep the candle airtight while it's waiting for its time to shine.
If you're curious which of the scents I offer are more prone to discoloration, I've ranked them based on my personal experience:
