The journey to a healthier lifestyle begins with small and mindful choices. In a world saturated with synthetic fragrances and products, we need to start questioning what we put on ourselves - personal care products, but also what we are surrounded with at home. If you’re here it means you are looking for the healthier alternatives, bravo! One such simple swap is choosing non-toxic candles. In this blog article, we'll explore what non-toxic candles are, why they matter, and how they differ from conventional candles. Thankfully natural candles do exist, and there is no shortage of clean candle companies making non toxic candles using natural and organic ingredients that are safe for you and your family. Natural candles also help enhance your home environment with their aromatherapy health benefits. Excellent exemple are candles from Aimée de Mars.
So hide your paraffin wax candle back to the cupboard and start reading. Here’s what to consider when choosing your natural and non-toxic candle.
Rather don't burn candles at all, than burn conventional ones!
Do you find this statement too harsh? The truth about conventional candles is unfortunately harsh. Using conventional candles in your home means you’re unleashing loads of toxic compounds and particles into the air which may cause health issues if you are a type of person who likes the warm flame of candle light regularly. Thus it’s important to understand what is in the candles you burn and what harmful effect they can cause - but more importantly, how to provide a healthier non-toxic alternative that you can enjoy!
There are 3 things to consider when buying a natural non-toxic candle
1. Wax type
Traditional candles often use paraffin wax, a byproduct of petroleum refining. Paraffin is a petroleum-based product that can release dangerous volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are known to be potential endocrine disruptors (disrupt hormones), carcinogens and neurotoxins. Formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, toluene, benzene, acetone and more can be released in the conventional candles. Burning paraffin wax releases ultrafine soot with particulates that stay suspended in the air. This particulate matter, just like pollution, penetrates into the lungs, entering the bloodstream and if breathed in often, leads to allergies, asthma, bronchitis, even strokes and cancer. Fortunately, there are other options like:
Soy wax
- Most common natural wax used in candlesWhiter, cool toned flame
- Lower melting point
- Less scent throw than coconut wax (holds up to 10% scent in its wax)
- More affordable due to 94% of soy agriculture being made via genetically modified means
Coconut wax
- One of the cleanest burning candle waxes & often considered by candlemakers as the best natural wax option
- Burns slower than other waxes for a longer lasting candle
- Most eco-friendly wax to produce
- Strong scent throw (holds up to 12% scent in its wax)
- Zero soot particles released when burned
- More expensive so it’s commonly mixed with other waxes like soy wax
Beeswax
- One of the cleanest burning candle waxes.
- Warm, natural toned flame.
- A natural air purifier – releases negative ions when burned and attaches to positive ions (ie dust, toxins, pollen, odor) in the air,
- Not vegan friendly
Some companies use a blend of waxes, and will often state “wax blend” to indicate this. For example, a candle company may use a proprietary wax blend of Coconut, Soy and Beeswax along with Apricot and coconut oils. The goal is to take advantage of the qualities of different waxes to produce the best natural candle that burns smokeless, soot-less, produces the strongest scent, and lasts the longest. In our webshop, we made sure that our candles are from brands that offer the highest quality ingredients and blends are transparent.
2. Fragrance/scent
One of the easiest ways is to avoid ones made with “fragrance”. Fragrance compositions are considered trade secrets and therefore protected from disclosure (you can read more about the synthetic perfumes and their impact on health in our blog). Authentic essential oils provide the fragrance in non-toxic candles, offering genuine, delightful aromas without synthetic perfumes or chemical additives.
3. Wick type
The wick is another important criterion for choosing your natural non-toxic candle because it determines whether your candle burns evenly and whether or not it releases toxic components. More precisely, so that a candle does not release heavy metals, you must avoid metal-backed wicks and favor plant-based wicks, such as those made from natural cotton flower fiber or natural paper. Many mass-produced commercial candles use wicks containing metal cores to help them stand up straighter.
Candles that you can pour on the skin
You can enjoy the caring and relaxing effect on your body and mind at home during your daily me-time moment. The Belfida Me-Candle is very easy to use. Light the wick until an entire layer of the wax has melted (5 – 10 minutes). Pour the silky warm wax directly onto the skin or into your palm and gently massage into the skin. Thanks to the low melting point of the wax, the oil will never get too warm – only a few degrees above body temperature.The Belfida Me-Candle consists mainly of natural butters, pure essential oils and 8 grams of 24 carat cosmetic gold that penetrates the deepest layers of the skin and makes your skin shine from within. Ready to try? Watch this video first:
Caring for your new non-toxic candle
Caring for your non-toxic candles ensures they burn efficiently and last longer. Here are some tips:
- Trim the Wick: Keep the wick trimmed to about ½ centimeter to avoid excess smoke.
- Burn Evenly: Allow the candle to melt evenly across the surface before extinguishing.
- Avoid Drafts: Place candles away from drafts to prevent uneven burning.
- Storage: Keep candles in a cool, dark place to preserve their scent.
- Cleaning: Remove any debris from the candle surface and wipe with a soft cloth if needed.
Are you also interested in other non-toxic topics? You might like:
- Why to have a non-toxic household?
- Pure’n’Well recommends: must have non-toxic products for Fall-Winter season
Sources:
Fragrances in cosmetics: https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredients/fragrances-cosmetics
https://organicbeautylover.com/wellness/best-organic-candles/
https://thenewknew.com/candles/
