Are Candles Bad for You?

There has recently been some discussion on whether candles are bad for you in the world of non-toxic advocates. While the arguments are not all wrong, using such blanket assumptions can hurt many small businesses and industries, and we thought we’d lend our expertise of non-toxic candles to help dive into the facts and what is a misconception.

Are Candles Toxic?

While there are many articles out there that explain the dangers of burning candles, there is actually no studies or evidence that support the claims that candles are the problem of toxicity. 

However, there are certain brands that are nationally known that do include carcinogenic chemicals and parabens in their candles’ wax. It’s best to do your research by looking at the label and seeing what ingredients are used.  

Here are some examples of ingredients that are considered toxic:

• Paraffin Wax
• Synthetic dyes
• Synthetic fragrances (made from chemicals)
  
  

Are Scented Candles Toxic?

Scented candles are not all made the same, so not every candle company that sells scented candles is made with the bad kind of fragrances. While it is listed as an ingredient to watch out for, the key is to use discernment when looking at an ingredients list.  

There are a few clues to look out for when buying a candle, and can ask these questions:

1. Are you buying from a franchised store that mass produces products? Chances are they are cutting costs and maximizing profits with using poor quality ingredients.
2. Do you see ingredients such as “frangrance” or “Parfume” listed? Those are words they use to replace “synthetic” in hopes to keep buyers interested.
3. Is the candle a color?  The only way to achieve colors for candles is to use synthetic dyes. 

The Difference In Candle Waxes

The level of toxicity a candle might produce is primarily based on the type of wax that is used for the candle. Research has shown that candles made from natural resources of wax are the best to have in your home, but does not guarantee that they dont emit something into your home’s air.

Let’s review the different types of waxes, and which ones are the best to go for in your candle:

• Paraffin wax: Considered the most toxic option for candles due to its origination from petroleum products.
• Beeswax: One of the best options for candle wax, but can still irritate people who suffer from asthma and allergies.
• Palm wax: A good alternative, but is problematic due to it’s unsustainable harvesting, causing deforestations of rain forests in Indonesia at an alarming rate.
• Coconut wax: Eco-friendly, and has a cleaner burn, but often needs to be blended with another wax for candle making, and is more expensive to manufacture.
• Soy wax: This is the cleanest alternative, with renewable sources, and cleanest burns. It’s also cost-effective in comparison to the other options. 

At Clean Earth Candles, we did a deep dive into the different waxes, and wanted to make sure we were being as ethical as possible, and giving our customers a great candle experience, which is why we landed on using soy wax for our candles.

Are Soy Candles Safe?

The general consensus is that, yes, soy wax candles are safe to burn.  Soy wax produces less soot, and doesn’t contain any of the pollutants that paraffin wax does, so the air quality is less affected when the soy candle is being burned. This does not account for a scented soy candle, as that is dependent of the quality of the scent or essential oils used to produce it.

Who’s at Risk?

People that might be affected the most to a candle burning are those with allergies, sensitivities to different scents, or someone with ashtha.  If they are suffering from any of these issues, it would be best for them to take any spray fragrances or plugins or mass produced paraffin wax candles out of their house and into the garbage.
We believe in making whatever the right choice for yourself, and maybe try unscented to still bring some warmth and coziness to your home. It’s really all about finding what works for you. 

Which Candles Are Safe for Your Health?