Are Candles Bad For You?

Nowadays, we are all more conscious about buying and bringing products into our homes that are beneficial to our health and try to avoid anything that may be detrimental to it. Candles are frequently cited as a great way to relax and unwind but they can pose health risks. While some candles can be bad for you, if you know what to look for, you can avoid the candles that pose a risk to your health and the health of your family.

Which Candles Are Bad For You

Not all candles are created equally and you can find out more about how to choose a candle in our candle buying guide. Today, we'll highlight some candles that could cause health issues and which we consider bad for your home environment.

Paraffin Wax Candles

Paraffin wax candles are considered the main culprit when discussing candles that are bad for you. The paraffin wax is produced from petroleum by dewaxing light lubricating oil stocks and both by its production and by burning the end product, it has been shown to release some small amounts of toxic chemicals such as Toluene and Benzene. Although several pieces of research have stated that the amounts are not enough to cause serious harm, most people would agree that they prefer to avoid releasing any toxic chemicals into the air. Choosing a natural wax for your candle will ensure the production will include fewer chemicals that are harmful to your health and the planet.

Candles With Carcinogenic Wicks

While all candle producers in the UK are confirmed to not use carcinogenic wicks such as lead, it doesn't mean that these types of candles don't exist on the global market. Not all producers will state exactly how their wicks are made so you may have to contact the manufacturer to confirm their wicks are safe. The wicks of our candles are made of 100% natural fibres and do not contain lead, so are 100% safe to use.

Candles That Trigger Allergies

Fragrances in scented candles can be a primary source of indoor air pollutants and personal exposure to toxins. Research indicates that fragranced products can trigger adverse health effects, with implications for workplaces and public places. If you love scented candles but are worried about allergies, look for natural, non-synthetic candles. Fragrances created with natural essential oils and fragrances are less likely to trigger an allergic reaction or discomfort. If you have a bad reaction to a scented candle, stop using it immediately. And if you find you are often triggered by strong scents, it may be better to opt for unscented candles.

Candles That Damage The Environment

While we've discussed how burning certain candles in your home can be bad for your health, it's also important to consider the production processes. If you choose candles that are produced in a way that damages the planet, you run the risk of hurting your own health and others'. Climate change has been linked to increased levels of air pollution and long term exposure to air pollution is attributed to between 28,000 and 36,000 deaths a year in the UK. It's one of the reasons we choose to use Soy Wax in our candles and wax melts. We want to ensure that our environmental impact remains lower than traditional mass-manufactured paraffin candles. Better for your health, better for your home and better for the planet.

Choose A Better Candle For Your Health

If you want to choose a candle that is not bad for you, check out our range of soy wax candles. Soy wax is a natural and sustainable resource, unlike paraffin wax. It does not release harmful toxins into the air and produces 90% less soot when burnt. We've previously covered whether Soy Candles are safe and you can find extra information on our FAQ page and our blog about alternatives to paraffin wax candles. If you can't find the information you need, get in touch and one of our super-friendly team will be happy to help.