Candles are so peaceful and their beautiful glow can warm a room, create ambiance and enhance relaxation. Unfortunately, many of them, especially the cheaper ones, have chemicals melted into the wax. Before learning this, I had sweet-smelling candles in every room of the house because I love them so much.
However, when we switched to more natural lifestyle, I learned a lot about candles and was determined to remove as many chemicals from our home, food and products as possible. Unfortunately, we are surrounded by chemicals, and we can’t eliminate them completely, but we can make better choices to reduce what we are exposed to. Little by little I believe we can replace many harmful products with healthier alternatives.
CANDLE INGREDIENTS
Many candles include hidden chemicals. Below are a few of the most common ingredients.
1. Paraffin Wax – Can be carcinogenic when burned.
2. Benzene – Can be cancer causing.
3. Toluene – Can affect central nervous system.
4. Synthetic Fragrance – Irritant and can cause allergic reactions.
5. Formaldehyde – Can be cancer causing.
Surprisingly, manufacturers are not required to put any ingredients on their labels. As a rule of thumb, if a candle is not labeled it is often made with paraffin wax. The cheaper the candle, the more likely it is to have added chemicals.
ALTERNATIVES
Thankfully, there are other options out there. Pure beeswax candles are the perfect alternative. Although, normally they are unscented, I love their light, natural scent as they seem to smell a bit like honey. Beeswax candles also burn longer, are non-toxic and eliminate free radicals from the air. There are also many natural soy and coconut wax alternatives available. Look for candles that use essential oils (instead of perfumes) and use cotton or wood wicks.
By using natural or organic beeswax candles you are actually creating a healthier environment instead of putting cancer causing particles into the air you breathe. So, begin replacing harmful candles with healthy ones!
If you are looking for healthy ways to improve personal care products for your family, check out the Beyond Beauty book.
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