Why we don't use paraffin wax or fragrance oils
Candles are a ritual in our home. They are one of life’s simple pleasures; to look forward to striking a match and setting the tone for an evening; to share a meal by candle light; to settle in with good book, a loved one by your side and a comforting scent in the air; or simply to take a solitary bath paired with a calming candle to still the mind — it could be argued that candles should be a daily indulgence.
After burning through a plethora of candles, we found that some — even from our favourite brands — could be slightly oppressive and headache-inducing. We started to question what the actual ingredients of these candles were. After extensive research, we said farewell to some of our previously favoured brands. (You'd be surprised that some of the most popular and expensive brands are filling our homes with toxic chemicals).
About Paraffin Wax
1. Paraffin wax is a petroleum by-product that is created from the waste when crude oil is refined into petrol.
2. The petroleum wax is gathered and processed with industrial strength bleach, changing the colour of the black sludge to white. (The dioxins from the bleach alone are believed to have the ability to cause reproductive and developmental problems, damage the immune system, interfere with hormones and also cause cancer).
3. A whole diaspora of unpronounceable, but common chemicals are then added to the mixture in order to make the wax burn more economically (Acetone, Trichlorofluoromethane, Carbon Disulfide, 2-Butanone, Trichloroethane, Carbon Tetrachloride — we could go on). In fact, most candles give off highly toxic benzene and toluene — the same as those present in diesel fumes. (Environmental Protection Agency)
About Fragrance Oils
1. Many people confuse essential oils with fragrance oils — but they are incredibly different. Essential oils are the pure oil — either distilled or cold pressed from the botanical source — and have positive effects on the body and mind. Many can ease stress, aid a good night’s sleep, can have mood-enhancing, even aphrodisiac effects. They purify the air and can neutralise free radicals.
2. However, fragrance oils (even those termed 'natural' on packaging) are manufactured to mimic the scent of the natural product. Most are manmade and chemical based; some can be an extraction of essential oil, cut with a carrier, but they do not possess the positive properties of essential oils. Many candle brands use fragrance oils as they are much cheaper and stronger than essential oils, making it a more cost effective product. It's also easier to buy pre-mixed fragrances such as ‘firewood’, ‘spring flowers’ and ‘amber’. Limonene, commonly used in citrus fragrance oils has recently been linked to producing another carcinogen: formaldehyde. (Read here for more info.)
3. We believe that the scent of essential oils has far more depth and intricacy than synthetic fragrance.
4. Also worth noting — some candles use wicks containing lead, especially those from overseas, which seems incredibly archaic!
We have spent a year researching and experimenting with pure essential oils to refine our blends.
Our candles contain four things:
— an apothecary jar
— a cotton wick
— sustainable soy wax
— pure aromatherapy-grade essential oil
It’s always worth being informed about what you’re burning and breathing in your home. We hope you enjoy exploring our collection of safe and natural candles.