The Candle Conundrum

I'll admit… I hesitated to write this one. 

Because who doesn’t love candles? The flicker of the flame, the cozy vibe, the inviting scent of sea and sand or fresh linen — it’s pure ambience in a jar.

But here’s the thing: I also care a lot about clean air. 

And unfortunately, the same candles we burn to create a comforting atmosphere are often not doing our air quality (or our health) any favors.

So what’s Actually in Most Candles?

Many popular candles - especially the mass-produced ones - are made from paraffin wax, a petroleum byproduct. 

When burned, paraffin releases potentially harmful chemicals like benzene and toluene — both known carcinogens. 

Add synthetic fragrance and dyes to the mix, and you’ve got a pretty toxic combo drifting through your home.