Basically, when you add fragrance to candles, it can trigger allergic rhinitis (inflammation of the inside of the nose caused by an allergen), asthma, and other complications.”īubna cautions that if candles aren’t made with organic materials, but are fragrance-free, they will still release soot and carbon dioxide. “Go for candles that use hundred percent beeswax, natural soy wax, and paper wick. “Unscented” means that the product may contain chemicals that neutralise or mask the odours of other ingredients. According to a fact sheet by Safer Choice – a voluntary programme run by the United States’ Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – a “fragrance-free” product means that fragrance materials or masking scents are not used. In the long run, they will cause harmful effects.”īubna clarified that she thus advocates for fragrance-free, unscented candles that are made of organic and plant-based materials. It could be incense sticks, scented candles or even mosquito coils. “ anything that’s burning and emitting black smoke, which is basically soot, is going inside your lungs. Pulmonologist Indu Bubna told VICE that she gets the appeal of scented candles. After feeling disappointed with various scented candles, Rao opted for oil-based diffusers and was pleasantly surprised that they produced the same calming effect she’d expected from scented candles, minus the watery eyes, splitting headaches, and feelings of unease.Īccording to a 2021 study that analysed the burning of five types of pillar candles with different wax and wick compositions, “all candle types were dominated by soot.” The study did clarify that the emission of such particulate matter varies over time and that “stressed burning” – burning candles for more than five or six hours at a single stretch – can lead to more emissions. For some others, the visual of pretty lights glowing with scent after sunset can make a vibe happen in the quickest way possible.įor Rao, though, giving into these trends was actually a vibe kill.
In part, because scented candles help add a little personality to any home. Unlike regular, unscented candles, scented varieties promise to make us feel things – to wrap the memory of an otherwise random hookup in notes of cherry, to relax us after a terrible day at work, or just to make a pretty table with bonsai and paper flowers even prettier.ĭuring the pandemic, the demand for candles shot up in various parts of the world. So, when did candles become such an important part of our lives – more than just alternative sources of light during power cuts or part of religious rituals? Few things are more luxe than a scented candle in an expensive glass jar. I realised that candles aren’t the cornerstone of my existence.” “Also, it’s a lot of money for something that I honestly could do without. “I tried soy candles, but the effects were the same,” she said.
More sustainable candles are made of soy, stearin (made from vegetable or animal fat and oils), and beeswax.
As paraffin wax candles are made from petroleum byproducts, a friend of Rao’s suggested opting instead for environmentally friendly candles.
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