Triple Scented Soy Candles – Sounds Like a Good Idea in Theory, But They Are Hazardous to Your Health!
If you are a candle-enthusiast, you have probably noticed that some candle manufacturers claim their paraffin or soy candles are ‘triple-fragranced’ or ‘triple scented’. This usually applies to synthetically-scented candles. The term is loosely based on very old industry standards of using 1/2 ounce of fragrance oil to 1 pound of paraffin wax. ‘Triple-scented’ candles are probably manufactured with 1 1/2 ounces of fragrance oil per 1 pound of wax.
When it comes to scented candles – especially those made with essential oils – less IS more, and here’s why:
- There is a limit to how much fragrance can be added to candle waxes before the wax becomes over-saturated, and soy wax is even more temperamental. Exceeding the limit of fragrance that a wax can hold can cause the fragrance oil to seep out of the wax, which is not only messy, but can also cause dangerous flare-ups.
- Using too much fragrance or essential oil can actually inhibit the scent ‘throw’ of the candle. As the candle burns, the wick can become clogged by the excess oil, causing the candle to go out, or impeding the flame which will generate less heat than is required for the scent to dissipate. The excess burning fragrance oil is also likely to cause more sooting, and in some cases can emit a fuel-smell.
- Synthetic fragrance oils contain many known carcinogens, including acetone, benzene, lead, mercury, phenol, styrene, and toluene. For a more complete list of the toxins associated with synthetic fragrance oils, check out: Toxins associated with synthetic fragrance oils: http://www.timothyhan.com/ingredients/paraffin.cfm.
- “If you are still not convinced of the potentially fatal consequences of using synthetically fragranced products including perfumes, lotions, shower gels, shampoos, soaps, candles, etc, then here’s the story of a soapmaker, a young woman, who ran a very successful business making handmade soaps for many large clients, including stores, hotels, and salons. They all requested the delectable and intoxicating fragrances that only nature can produce naturally, but at a low price, so she worked with fragrance oils for many years. She now cannot let anything synthetically fragranced touch her skin, or be close enough for inhalation, or her whole body will break out in a rash, her throat will constrict, and her eyes will tear uncontrollably. She is dying from toxic exposure. She cannot halt the process and is slowly deteriorating from a disease born specifically out of her professional and prolonged contact with fragrance oils. This is not unusual. There are many, many instances of soapmakers dying young of cancer due to the unscrupulous sale and promotion of fragrance oils by so-called “natural” products suppliers… It all comes down to cost, but it begs the question, “What could possibly be more costly than a beautiful life, needlessly lost due to ignorance?” Don’t kid yourself: Just because the concentrated contact of these women is much is higher than your contact with these chemicals doesn’t mean that you are immune. The quantity of chemicals imbedded in a modern adult human body is astounding.”
For more very good reasons to avoid petroleum-based products, check out the rest of this article: http://allnaturalbeauty.us/ani3.htm.
Bonjour!
Thanks so much for providing this information. Good to know at this time of year…with Christmas gift shopping coming up.
Big hugs always,
Mudd a.k.a. Oza
xoxo