Is there such a thing as a healthy scented candle?

Can a scented candle ever be healthy?

As the nights start to draw in, I’m starting to think about a healthy scented candle. Home fragrancing is possible in a myriad of ways, but nothing beats a candle for both ambience and fragrance. I absolutely adore candles. I unashamedly love browsing candle displays in shops. Who can resist having a sniff of candles with such enticing names, like “fluffy towels”, “bourbon wood barrels”, and “aloe water”, just to see if they smell as good as they sound?

Me and candles, we have a long history together. I enjoyed my first visit to a candle factory aged 7 years old, where I dipped my first candle at Cheshire Workshops.

Dabbling in candle making at home for the last decade or so, I started by buying all the kit – paraffin wax pellets, stearic acid, artificial fragrance, and colouring.

The dangers of paraffin wax candles

When the health risks of scented paraffin wax candles came to light, and soy wax became available, I rid myself of all my unhealthy candle making supplies, and replaced them with soy wax and essential oils.

But then I learned soy wax candles aren’t a healthy option either

A few years later, it became clear that soy is not a healthy, eco-friendly choice either, due to genetically modified soy and toxic pesticide use on soy crops. From Empowered Sustenance: “if you are buying soy candles, chances are you are supporting the production of GMO’s – which devastate our environment and our health”.

Soy candles may also be cut with other types of wax, unless the packaging specifically states the soy wax is 100% pure.

Enter beeswax candles

Beeswax candles make a great alternative to soy wax candles. Beeswax candles even have positive health benefits, since they release negative ions which purify the air. Read why beeswax candles are superior to other candle wax kinds.

So, what about scented beeswax candles?

Did you know that even beeswax candles fragranced with essential oils aren’t a completely healthy choice either? Me neither! It makes me really quite sad, but it makes sense.

The safest candles have no oils at all, since combusting any kind of oil leads to the emission of dangerous polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Doesn’t sound great for a family home, as PAHs are reasonably anticipated to be human carcinogens.

So how do we scent our home and enjoy candles in a safe and healthy way?

The safest way is to use unscented beeswax candles. They have a mild honey-like aroma which is subtle but pleasant.

Use a diffuser for fragrance and health benefits

We use beeswax candles alongside an essential oil diffuser, and invested in some pure essential oils.

An essential oil diffuser will fill the room with gorgeous fragrance, and diffusing essential oils provides many health benefits. We bought a diffuser during my pregnancy with Jonah and haven’t looked back.

Breathing in essential oils from a diffuser can help lift postpartum depression, and help the entire family relax and have a good night’s sleep. Not to mention the antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties of essential oils that work to keep family and home safe and healthy.

Here are some essential oils that are safe to use around babies 3 months plus that we blend and use in our diffuser. When using a diffuser around children, it’s recommended to only have the diffuser on for an hour, twice a day.

Sensual

  • Ylang ylang
  • Sandalwood
  • Rose otto

Relaxing/soothing

  • Lavender
  • Geranium
  • Chamomile

Fresh

  • Lemon
  • Tea tree
  • Bergamot
  • Mandarin

Uplifting

  • Neroli
  • Sweet orange
  • Cedarwood
  • Grapefruit

Read more about using essential oils around children.

We found it easy to swap scented candles for healthier alternatives like beeswax candles and an essential oil diffuser. As much as I love my candles, I’d rather not take the health risk, especially now we have Jonah.

How about you?

Are you a candle lover? How do you like to fragrance your home? Let me know in the comments!

Until next time!

Helen
Can a scented candle ever be healthy? Find out in this blog post which aims to find healthier alternatives to unhealthy scented candles.

10 Replies to “Is there such a thing as a healthy scented candle?”

  1. Hi! Just dropping by to let you know I’ve nominated you for the Blogger Recognition Award! I’ve really enjoyed reading your blog on my recent journey into blogging and I just wanted to share the love. Check out my acceptance post to learn how to accept your nomination: https://mysocalledcrunchylife.com/2017/09/06/blogger-recognition-award/ Thanks for inspiring me, Marie @ My So Called Crunchy Life

    1. Hi Marie! Oh thank you so much, what an honour. I’ll accept the award and will write my post. Thanks again!

  2. Thanks for this! I was just thinking the same thing! We’ve only got candles in our bathroom instead of air freshener because air freshener has all sorts of bad stuff in it, but have even nervous about putting candles around the home. I’ve been considering a diffuser so I think I’ll take the plunge!

    1. A diffuser is great! We’ve got a colour change diffuser so it’s good fun to watch 😀 I do love candles though, but we stick to beeswax.

  3. Hi Mini Munni Blogger,
    I am currently working on a interesting project about natural candles I would love to have feedback/advices.
    If you have time it would be good to pick up your brain for 10 min,
    Thanks

    1. Hi, of course, email me hi@naturalbeautywithbaby.com or just comment here.

      1. Great thanks Helen I just wrote to you on Instagram cause it is easier for me hope you don’t mind. thank you

        1. Hi, I didn’t get your DM on Insta.

  4. Dottie Sacoo says: Reply

    Who makes the safest esstintal oils…..

    1. Hi, I use essential oils from SOiL, Naissance, Essential Oils Online, Holland & Barrett, Neals Yard Remedies, and Tisserand.

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