1 lb Brick vs PS10 Yellow Wax: which is safer?
Swix PS10 Yellow Wax is our pick: better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.
Purl Wax
1 lb Brick
PFAS grade
Excellent 85/100
Overall grade
Excellent 77/100
Verdict
Buy
Hazard flags
⚑ 2
Material
Paraffin or soy wax
Confidence
78%
PossibleThermal decomposition fumes (paraffin)
PossibleRespiratory irritation from dust or fume inhalation
Our pick
Swix
PS10 Yellow Wax
PFAS grade
Excellent 100/100
Overall grade
Excellent 84/100
Verdict
Buy
Hazard flags
⚑ 4
Material
Hydrocarbon-based ski wax (paraffin/synthetic blend)
Confidence
72%
PossibleCombustion by-products during hot application
PossibleSkin and eye contact irritation
PossibleIngestion toxicity (accidental exposure)
Where these two actually differ
- We flag Thermal decomposition fumes (paraffin) and Respiratory irritation from dust or fume inhalation on the Purl Wax and not on the Swix.
- We flag Combustion by-products during hot application, Skin and eye contact irritation, Ingestion toxicity (accidental exposure) and Microabrasive particulates from worn base or scraping on the Swix and not on the Purl Wax.
- The Purl Wax is Paraffin or soy wax where the Swix is Hydrocarbon-based ski wax (paraffin/synthetic blend), which is most of the difference in these two grades.
Both products run through the same public rubric: materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls, plus a beyond-PFAS hazard analysis. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests. How grades work →
More ski & sports wax: see the full ranking