The Hidden Health Risks Lurking in Your Favorite Holiday Candles
With the holidays right around the corner, I wanted to share a quick (but super important) message about candles.
I know they smell amazing and totally set the vibe. They make your space feel cozy, festive, and calming. But here’s the thing… most of those popular scented candles are actually doing the opposite for your health behind the scenes.
They might be making your home smell like cinnamon or fresh pine, but they can also be causing hormone imbalances, headaches, respiratory issues, and more.
Most store-bought candles are made with:
Paraffin wax (a petroleum byproduct)
Phthalates (known endocrine disruptors)
Fragrance (a blanket term that often hides hundreds of chemicals)
And even carcinogens like benzene and formaldehyde
And yep, you’re breathing that in every time you light one.
Some of the toxins released are equivalent to car exhaust. Let that sink in.
We were never meant to be inhaling this stuff, but because it’s been marketed and sold to us by big companies for decades, we just assume it’s fine. It’s not.
And it’s not safe for your pets either their little lungs are even more sensitive. When buying candles (especially anything labeled “non-toxic”), here’s what actually matters:
WAX: Coconut wax, soy wax, or beeswax
WICK: Unbleached cotton or wood wick
SCENT: 100% essential oils NOT “fragrance” or “fragrance oils”
Honestly, the best candles have only three ingredients:
Clean wax
A non-toxic wick
Pure essential oils
That’s it.
If you’re interested in switching over to some non toxic candles whether it’s for you or a gift for someone else I have listed some trustworthy companies below!
www.fontanacandlecompany.com 🕯️
www.basicbeecandles.com 🕯️
www.rowecasaorganics.com 🕯️
