Did you know most candles are toxic?

A very important rule of thumb is to know what type of candle you have burning in your house. 🕯️

red glass candle — Photo by Nadi Lindsay on Pexels.com

Toxins don’t stop at what we eat, what we watch on tv, or even with personal care products. They are found in household products like candles, detergents, and more! Some candles are very toxic to the air we breathe and make it harder for our bodies to metabolize them out. Our digestive systems work overtime to make sure we are filter toxins often, but our skin just can’t do the same. A very important point to keep in mind is that “What you put ON your body, goes IN your body”.

What harm can regular candles cause?

Avoid aromatherapy candles made of paraffin—a petroleum byproduct—which releases carcinogenic soot when burned. The soot can also cause respiratory problems and will aggravate the conditions of those who already have asthma, lung, or heart problems. The biggest issue with candles is toxic wax and, in the case of older candles, toxic wicks. Besides endangering your health and that of your family, soot from paraffin wax can cause significant damage to the inside of your house, plus your computers, electrical appliances, and ductwork. If that weren’t enough, aromatherapy candles that are scented with synthetic oils release microscopic particles that can cause cancer and other health problems when inhaled.

Synthetic VS. Natural Scents

One study published in Regulatory Pharmacology and Toxicology in 2014 evaluated the volatile organic compounds (VOCs), semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs), and particulate emissions from scented candles. (VOCs are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids and include a variety of chemicals. Look for candles with natural scents, such as those scented with essential oils,” says Dr. Sadeghi. “This is because the artificial fragrance is derived from petrochemicals,” he says. “Synthetic fragrances and essential oils both contain allergens, so you could have reactions to both — just because essential oils are plant-based, doesn’t always mean they’re safe!” “Evidence also shows that scented candles release VOCs and particulate matter into the air, including formaldehyde and benzene,” chemicals that are known to cause cancer, according to the CDC. “Forget about the candles with scents like banana split or cookie dough”.