Who Doesn’t Love Candles? But, Do They Love You?

They set a mood and smell amazing! However, they can lead to unwanted health issues. For years I burned candles without even a thought that they were bad for me. How could something that smells so good be so bad?

When you light a candle have you ever noticed that black smoke that comes off the wick? That right there is emitting unhealthy chemicals into the air.

In this blog, I am going to break down what candles have in them and why it is bad. I will also direct you toward better options and what to look for.

Let’s start with what wax is the worst and what is the healthiest.

1. Paraffin wax- this is made with Petroleum. Petroleum is used to make gasoline, kerosene, plastic, and other byproducts. It contains many chemicals/ carcinogens such as:
– Trichloroethane
– Chlorobenzene
– Carbon Disulfide
– Butanone
– Ethylebenzene
– Cresol
– Phenol
– Xylene
– Styrene
– Trichloro
– Acetone
– Fluoromethane
– Carbon Tetrachloride
– Cyclopentene
– Tetrachloroethene

That list alone would send me packing.

The health problems that can/could occur from everyday use of these are:

• Allergies such as runny/stuffy nose and sneezing.
• Asthma
• The heavy hitter,  Cancer

The good news is there are healthier options out there that you can switch to and they are:

1. *Beeswax*- Beeswax is Non-GMO, slow-burning, natural and smokeless. This is the healthiest option!

2. *Coconut wax*- Natural, slow burning, and smokeless. This is another very natural eco-friendly choice.

3. Soy Wax– Plant-based, smokeless, and slow burning. Soy is a good choice however it must be 100% soy wax.

What to look for when purchasing candles:

1. Pure coconut, beeswax, or soy.
2. Pesticide-free soy base
3. Phthalate free
4. Essential oil fragrances

It is important to know that the wick of the candle is just as important as the wax. This is why you should purchase candles that either have an unbleached/pure wick or has a wooden wick. It is also important to watch out for keywords such as natural fragrances and parfum.

Do not let the word “natural” fool you.

I hope you enjoyed this article! Please join me over on our Community Area, where we can connect and share ideas and our personal journeys.

Candle Brands I Love:

Benevolence
Hemlock Park
Day Spa Body Basics–
The Clever Mammoth

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