Candle Guide: The Golden Rules for Choosing the Right Candle
Candles not only provide light to a space but also add ambiance, warmth, peace, and character. However, candles that are not produced correctly can pose many health risks. Here are the golden rules to consider when buying a candle:
1. The Raw Material Used in the Candle: Natural or Synthetic?
The most important factor determining the quality of a candle is the type of wax used. This is the first thing you should look for when buying a candle.
Soy wax, beeswax, and coconut wax are natural options that burn cleanly and for a long time. Soy and coconut candles are preferred over beeswax because they produce less soot when burning and are vegan.
Paraffin, on the other hand, is petroleum-derived, making it affordable, but it has many environmental and health drawbacks. When paraffin wax burns, it releases substances such as toluene, benzene, formaldehyde, and acetaldehyde, which, when inhaled for prolonged periods, can cause respiratory tract irritation, headaches, allergies, asthma, and other complaints. The black soot produced by paraffin candles can irritate the respiratory tract and degrade indoor air quality. In addition to releasing toxic chemicals, the burning of paraffin candles produces soot composed of particulate matter such as PM2.5 and ultrafine particles that can linger in the air for hours. According to a study by the University of South Florida, ultrafine soot particles are similar in size and composition to diesel exhaust. These particles penetrate deep into the lungs and can even reach the bloodstream. Ultrafine particles are associated with serious health problems, including:
• allergies
• asthma
• COPD
• respiratory infections
• heart attacks
• strokes
• cancer
Furthermore, these candles are not sustainable and leave a larger carbon footprint during their production. Besides all this, paraffin candles burn hotter and thus burn out faster. Therefore, while they may seem more affordable, they actually deplete much faster than soy candles.
Why should you prefer natural candles?
• They burn cleaner, leaving no soot.
• They do not create toxic fumes in enclosed spaces.
• They carry the scent more balanced and for longer periods.
• They are environmentally friendly.
As Alchemissi, we produce our candles using 100% natural soy wax sourced from Europe.
2. Wick Selection: The Key to Healthy Burning
The wick is a key factor in determining how evenly a candle will burn.
Types of wicks you should prefer:
• Cotton wick
• Wood wick
They are natural and produce much less soot than synthetic wicks; they are sustainable.
Avoid:
- Lead-containing wicks (still found in some low-quality products)
- Wicks made with synthetic materials
The wicks we use in our candles are 100% cotton thread wicks and 100% wooden wicks.
3. Fragrance Quality and Essences Used
The quality of the essences used in scented candles is very important.
The fragrances used when producing candles should be:
• IFRA-certified essences
• Intense but balanced scent that doesn't cause headaches
• Formulations supported by natural essential oils
It is important that they are produced with these.
Most scented candles use synthetic fragrances and dyes that emit dangerous Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) even at room temperature. Common VOCs associated with fragrance in candles include (7):
• formaldehyde
• petroleum distillates
• limonene
• alcohol
• esters
These harmful chemicals can lead to health problems such as:
• headaches
• dizziness
• allergy symptoms
• asthma attacks
• respiratory infections
• cancer
Therefore, it is very important for fragrance safety that your candles are made with IFRA-certified fragrance oils and/or 100% Natural Essential Oils.
As Alchemissi, because we deeply care about your health, we use IFRA and MSDS certified fragrance oils sourced from Europe and 100% Natural Essential Oils as the scent providers for our candles. We produce all our products in compliance with IFRA standards.
4. Burn Time and Weight
More important than the size of the candle is its burn time.
Candles made with natural waxes burn longer.
When purchasing, we recommend looking at the following information:
• Product weight
• Average burn time
• Whether it burns homogeneously
Long burn time indicates a high-quality candle. We do not use stearic acid (hardener) in our products. Although its use in small amounts is considered safe, we do not use even plant-based ones, as it has been observed to cause throat and eye irritation and certain allergies in allergic individuals.
5. Packaging and Container Quality
In addition to aesthetic appearance, choosing the right container is also important for safety.
Things to consider:
-
Heat-resistant glass or metal container
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Tight-fitting lid design (ideal for scent preservation)
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Recyclable materials
-
Our candles are produced with lids, as the healthiest way to extinguish a candle is not by blowing it out, but by depriving it of air (for example, by covering it with a lid).
Our candle jars are glass, and our lids are metal, containing no plastic whatsoever.
6. Production Transparency and Brand Reliability
When choosing a brand, it is important to ask the following questions:
• Does it openly share its ingredients?
• Does it have certifications like IFRA, MSDS?
• Is it handmade or mass-produced?
• Does it use sustainable raw materials?
7. Allergies and Sensitivities
Some individuals may be sensitive to strong scents or certain essences.
Therefore:
• Natural scented or unscented candles
• Hypoallergenic formulas
may be a more appropriate choice.
Conclusion: A Quality Candle Offers Not Just Light, But an Experience
All these points to consider when buying a candle are of great importance for both your health and the quality of your environment. Natural, long-lasting, and safe candles are the most beautiful way to add peace and a touch of luxury to your living space.
Explore Alchemissi's artisan candle collections made with 100% natural soy and IFRA-certified essences.
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