Candles bring such a cozy and welcoming aspect to any environment. Years ago they weren’t used for aesthetic reasons, but were used for light and maybe warmth, they were made by the individuals using them. Now candles are very rarely used for warmth or light but remain quite popular for aesthetic reasons. The candles you can find at the supermarket are most likely toxic.
What are conventional candles made of?
Candles you can buy at any supermarket are made with paraffin wax, artificial colorants, and artificial scents. Paraffin wax was discovered when processing crude oil and is a by-product. When burning a conventional candle you will be releasing a “number of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that have been identified as carcinogens, such as naphthalene, anthracene, and pyrene, were also found in candle fumes that are products of wax, aroma substances, or combustion dyes.” (1)
Paraffin wax is not the only product that has been sourced from the petroleum industry, the fragrance most likely has been also.. “Petroleum is the source of 95% of the chemicals used in synthetic perfumes and scented candles and contains benzene derivatives. Candle waxes are still colored using toluene derivatives and benzidine-based dyes, which have been associated with urothelial cancer development.” (2) Toluene is a solvent and you may have had some exposure to it when using paint thinner or a permanent marker. It is known for smelling like paint thinner also.
The other form of toxic exposure that you may face when burning a conventional candle is lead and other metal exposure. Due to the wick of the candle being made with lead or other metal to give it more stability.
Many people who are around a toxic candle may experience symptoms of a toxic exposure. “The most common complaints from those who had been exposed to scented candles were vertigo, headaches, mucosa irritation, respiratory issues, watery eyes, sneezing, stuffy nose, chest tightness, and a dry or irritated throat. Formaldehyde and aromatic hydrocarbons like toluene and benzopyrene may be released in large quantities” (3) Some people may even experience an allergic reaction to the toxins. Say you don’t experience any adverse symptoms so you think it must not be affecting you, consider this: “In 2013, researchers in Poland found the air quality around paraffin candles is similar to air quality around a combustion engine.” (8)
Non-toxic options include:
Resin incense sticks,
Beeswax candles,
Tallow candles,
Soy wax candles,
Coconut wax candles and
Essential oil-only scents.
What are the benefits of a non-toxic option:
None of the above options are petroleum-based so they do not pollute the air with benzene or toluene. “Instead, they burn cleanly with far fewer microparticles that are associated with breathing problems and lung cancer.” (4)
“Beeswax candles burn they (something is missing here, not a complete sentence) pull toxins as they ionize the air. Negative ions bind with toxins which helps remove them from the air providing a cleaner environment for you and your family.” (5)
“100% beeswax candles add a naturally sweet aroma to your home. They are an easy way to deodorize the air without artificial fragrances.” (6)
“As beeswax has a higher burn point than other types of waxes. This results in the burn time being significantly longer. Paraffin candles have a shorter lifespan. So even though they might cost less upfront, over time they are less economical.” (7)
“Frankincense encourages healthy lung function, helping to open up breathing as well as clear congestion and mucus. Burning resin incense can also help promote clearer breathing.” (9)
Research shows that smelling pleasant aromas activates the emotional center of the brain. In effect, it influences the hormonal levels, regulates the nervous system, and relaxes the body. Aromatic resin incense is also believed to reduce headaches, anxiety, depression, and sleep issues. Essential oils can have a similar effect.
What to look for in a non-toxic options:
Scented with resin or essential oils only.
Made with only beeswax, tallow, coconut wax, or soy wax.
Look for ones made with 100% cotton, hemp or wood wicks.
To take it a step further consider if the vessel is reusable that candles come in, this will reduce the environmental impact. Or you can find pillar candles which do not come with any vessels.
We’ve got you covered:
A 100% beeswax candle that we recommend is the SlowBurn pillar candles. They are handmade by Slow Burn, these beeswax candles invite you to pause, take a break, and enjoy the slow clean burn of your candle. Made from local beeswax, Slow Burn candles are all-natural (so no added pollutants into your air!) and produce a subtle, sweet, honey like fragrance. Each candle is individually handmade in St Paul, MN.
The Slow Burn pillar candles we have available are the SALT in tall or short
You can find them here:
(short) https://dandelionnaturals.com/product/salt-beeswax-candle-short/
(Tall) https://dandelionnaturals.com/product/salt-beeswax-candle-tall/
And the WINNIE is another great option. You can find the WINNIE here: https://dandelionnaturals.com/product/winnie-beeswax-candle/
The twisted Taper is a fun twist on a traditional taper candle that will work perfectly if you have a candle holder or two. You can find the twisted taper set (set of 2) here: https://dandelionnaturals.com/product/twisted-taper-beeswax-candle/
And if you would like try resin incense sticks then you can find a set of 12 rolled incense sticks on our website at: https://dandelionnaturals.com/product/natural-frankincense-incense-sticks/
We also have a beautiful and practical Handmade Wood Incense and Resin Stick Holder. You can find it at: https://dandelionnaturals.com/product/handmade-wood-incense-and-resin-stick-holder/
We can’t wait for you to try these non-toxic options and not only smell the difference but feel the difference of these candles and resin sticks that have been created by hand and still hold the benefits that nature carries.
Resources:
https://beefriendsfarm.com/blogs/bee-friends-farm-buzz/benefits-of-beeswax-candles (5)
https://www.honshoney.com/blog/2021/10/26/4-benefits-of-beeswax-candles (6) (7)
https://www.mamavation.com/health/best-worst-non-toxic-candles.html (8)
