Are Scented Candles Safe to Use?
Imagine walking into your friend’s home to the smell of a delicious aroma of freshly baked cookies, only to find out it is coming from a burning candle and not cookies. Scented candles come in various fragrances allowing us to choose our favorite one to make any room smell amazing.
Why Are Scented Candles Used?
Scented candles are used in the home, in hotels, spas and also by aromatherapists as a way to calm and heal the mind and body. Scents are quite powerful and they can trigger the hypothalamus in the brain to release serotonin and dopamine. These two hormones are also known as ‘happy hormones’ because they bring a sense of calm in us.
Certain scents are known to help relieve headaches brought about from migraines. Some such as peppermint and eucalyptus scents are used to relieve congestion and sinuses. Others help in relieving anxiety and depression while some fragrances help to ease pain.
Scented candles are easy to use and are available in many varieties in the market. All you need is to light the candle and place it in a high place away from household pets and children and not directly under a fan or the air conditioning and let the fragrance transport your mind to a place of bliss.
Some people like to light jasmine scented candles as they prepare to go to bed, while others use them to meditate. It helps them feel calm and relaxed.
What Are Scented Candles Made Of?
Scented candles are made out the following ingredients namely:
1. Fragrance oil
2. Carrier wax
3. Candle dye
4. Candle wick
Fragrance Oil
Fragrance oil is the main ingredient in scented candles which release the scent that makes a regular candle into a scented candle. Fragrances may be obtained from natural, plant based sources or synthetic chemical ones. There are thousands of fragrance oils such as those that are seasonal, herbal, therapeutic and to make your room smell great. Some popular ones are:
● Vanilla
● Cinnamon
● Jasmine
● Peppermint
● Eucalyptus
● Citrus
● Spiced apples
Carrier Wax
There are many different types of carrier waxes used to make scented candles. The carrier wax contains the fragrance oil and the dye to give it color. As the candle burns the hot wax releases the fragrance in to the air.
Paraffin wax
This is the most common type of carrier wax used by most candle manufacturers due to its low price and ease of availability. It is not the healthiest candle material as it is made from a byproduct of the petroleum industry and comes in various melting points; therefore, different types of candles can be made using it.
Beeswax
Beeswax is the oldest known wax used for candles. It is obtained from bees during the honey-making process. It is an eco-friendly wax and purifies the air as it burns. It is a harder and more solid wax with a higher melting point. It makes for a great wax to be used in blends
Soy wax
This wax is more environmentally friendly than paraffin wax and is used as an alternative to paraffin wax. It is more efficient as it burns more slowly than paraffin wax does and is produced from soybeans as a byproduct.
Coconut wax
The newest type of candle wax holds fragrance really well and is another eco-friendly type of wax. It is the most expensive of the lot and is obtained from coconuts. It has a clean burn and produces very little soot.
Blends
Blended waxes are made with different types of wax blended together to make them more eco friendly and to create better burns.
Are Scented Candles Harmful?
Studies show that scented candles have negligible emission release into the surrounding air and pose no health risks to humans under normal conditions. However, certain sensitive individuals may be allergic to certain chemicals present in the candle as it burns and may react to it. In these circumstances, natural candle wax options that are plant-based and more eco-friendly should be used.
Some people may get nauseous from over-exposure to a scented candle and should therefore limit the use of burning a scented candle.
When used incorrectly, burning candles often produce soot due to smoking of the wick and the use of paraffin wax. This may trigger asthma or lung conditions in some people just as much as smoke from traffic pollution would. If you don’t use candles daily then it is a negligible amount of emission and can be ignored. But for long-term use, non-paraffin-based candles are recommended, and proper care of candles is advised to avoid the release of smoke.
How To Burn Candles Safely
To ensure a clean burn in the candle and reduce soot emission, the following tips are recommended:
● Trim the burnt candle wick by a ¼ inch before each subsequent use to prevent soot formation
● Try to use eco-friendly scented candles such as those not made with paraffin to reduce harmful emissions
● Beeswax, coconut wax, and soy wax have the least soot formation
● Keep the candle in a box or an air-tight container in a cool dark place when not in use. It increases the longevity of the candle by protecting it from the sunlight. It also prevents dust and debris from collecting onto the wax.
● Keep a burning candle away from drafts and under fans to allow an uninterrupted flame and an even burn of the wax.
● Light your candle in a well-ventilated room to reduce inhaling too many emissions if you are prone to getting allergies.
Conclusion
While it is safe to light scented candles occasionally when entertaining guests, on special occasions, or just to reduce bad odors in your house, it is better to use eco-friendly blends of scented candles if you like lighting candles more frequently or daily. This is to prevent any risks of allergies from the emissions released from the burning of paraffin wax and smoke and soot released from the candle. Eco-friendly candles and proper use of the candle prevent the release of emissions and soot and are a safer way to use scented candles.
