
Scented Candle Trends: A Journey Through Food-Inspired Aromas
When it comes to home fragrance, scented candles have always had a
This page provides answers to the most common questions about candles. It covers essential topics such as safety, scents and candle manufacture.
For those wondering about candles as it relates to health, NCA determined that candle emissions are well below the established safety levels set by regulatory authorities and safety organizations, and that candles are safe for use in the home through a 2021 study. The study clearly demonstrated that paraffin and soy wax candles produced very similar combustion products, and one wax is not safer or better than the other. (“Measurement and evaluation of gaseous and particulate emissions from burning scented and unscented candles”)
Paraffin is the most common candle wax followed by beeswax, soy wax, palm wax, gels, and synthetic waxes. Different blends of these waxes are popular with many different brands, and each have their own characteristics.
Despite the rumors, all candle waxes burn just the same. With quality testing, candle brands that manufacture within the U.S. have been shown to burn cleanly, safely and in the same manner. Many brands make careful consideration when selecting their waxes and blends of waxes based on their suitability for specific types of candles or formulation profiles, as well as their own candle-making preferences.
Not necessarily. Brands manufactured in the U.S. only use ingredients known to be safe and approved for use in candles, whether “natural” or synthesized. The consideration to make is where your favorite brands manufacture their candles.
Candle making continues to be made through the timeless process of a wick into wax, which is then molded, dipped, extruded, pressed, rolled, drawn or filled into a desired shape and size.
Most likely beeswax, paraffin, and vegetable-based waxes are often used and are proven to be biodegradable. For reference, most candles today are made mainly from these waxes.
Metal-core wicks are an important aspect of candles as they assist in keeping the wick upright when the surrounding wax liquefies when burnt. Commonly found in container candles and votives, today’s metal-core wicks are made with either zinc or tin that have been proven to be safe and non-toxic.
Scented candles are amazing and there is always the want for more fragrance, however, there is a maximum amount of fragrance that can be added to a candle before it no longer burns cleanly or properly.
Yes. A well-made and properly burned candle, whether scented or unscented, will burn cleanly and safely. Currently, there are no known health hazards associated with the use of scented candles nor is there a difference between “natural” fragrances and synthetic ones.
Yes, though the name “petroleum based” may strike fear, research has shown all major candle waxes exhibit the same basic burn behavior and produce virtually identical byproducts.
Yes, just like your gas oven and your favorite monstera plant. VOCs are compounds composed mainly of carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen that can evaporate into the air and emit from almost everything in our environment.
Not all VOCs are bad. Every time you walk into a botanical garden or a forest, you are surrounded by VOCs from plants. Many fragrance ingredients in a candle are identical to VOCs in nature.
Depends, each person is different and may be sensitive to different things. Millions of Americans regularly use scented candles without any negative effects, but for those who find themselves with sensitivities, it may be beneficial to avoid specific fragrances or candles of those scents. In addition, consumers should remember to burn all candles, whether scented or unscented, in a well-ventilated area.
No, lead wicks have been officially banned in the United States since 2003, and before then they were primarily limited to inexpensive imported candles
Sooting is a natural occurrence when burning candles. The oils found in certain fragrances may slightly increase the small amount of soot produced by a candle, but wick length and flame disturbance are the primary factors that impact sooting in a candle. So don’t forget to trim your wick next time you light up.
Soot from a candle is in such small amounts that it is harmless. Keep in mind it is simply the natural byproduct of incomplete combustion like the soot given off by kitchen toasters and cooking oils. Overall, these everyday household sources of soot are not considered a health concern, and are chemically different from the soot formed by the burning of diesel fuel, coal, gasoline, etc.
If you do have concerns about soot, trim the wick to ¼ inch before every use to promote proper flame height, place your candle away from drafty areas to avoid flame flickering, and ensure that the wax pool is free of debris.
A well-made candle will create virtually no smoke when burning properly. People often believe their candles are sooting because of the wax type, fragrance, colorants or additives used in the candle’s formulation, but sooting is primarily due to flame disturbances. If the wick becomes too long, or an air current disturbs the flame’s teardrop shape, small amounts of unburned carbon particles (soot) will escape from the flame as a visible wisp of smoke. Any candle will soot if the flame is disturbed.
To avoid this, always trim the wick to ¼ inch before every use and be sure to place candles away from drafts, vents or air currents. If a candle continually flickers or smokes, it is not burning properly and should be extinguished. Allow the candle to cool, trim the wick, make sure the area is draft free, then re-light.
Maximum burn times vary from candle to candle, so it is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Always extinguish a candle if the flame gets too close to the candle holder or container. For a margin of safety, discontinue burning a candle when two inches of wax remains (½ inch if a container candle or jar candle).
If you want to ensure you are purchasing a quality candle – investigate reputable brands and where they manufacture. For example, brands that are a part of the National Candle Association must follow ASTM candle standards and pledge to develop quality products with quality practices. Check them out here for your next candle purchase.
2022 – NCA’s Report on Botanical Candles
2021 – Measurement and evaluation of gaseous and particulate emissions from burning scented and unscented candles (pdf)
2021 – Candle Study Summary (pdf)
2019 – Environmentally Friendly Candles with Reduced Particle Emissions (pdf)
2016 – Comment on “Characterization of hazardous and odorous volatiles emitted from scented candles before lighting and when lit” (Heinze & Silverman, Journal of Hazardous Materials, vol. 303, page 171, 2016)
2014 — Human health risk evaluation of selected VOC, SVOC and particulateemissions from scented candles
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