Health Coach Tip – Are Candles Healthy?

Who doesn’t like the ambiance of candles, especially during winter? It might put a damper on your mood when you learn that candles can be detrimental to your health – that is, if you don’t choose the right ones.

We invite you to hear us out.

Here are tips for choosing the healthiest candle: 

Choose candles with clean ingredients. 

Though they seem safe, regular scented candles are a HUGE source of indoor air pollution and they put off chemicals that are considered just as dangerous as second-hand smoke. Paraffin is a petroleum waste product and has to be deodorized and chemically bleached before it can be made in to wax.

Many candles are made from a petroleum byproduct called paraffin. When lit, paraffin candles may release toxic fumes including benzene and toluene. While burning any candle indoors may pollute indoor air, this ingredient is especially toxic. Some say as bad as secondhand smoke!

Instead, select a 100% clean candles like coconut or beeswax candle – unscented, non-pigmented and free of dye is best! Here is a link to our favorite company LINK. Another nice place to check is the farmers markets or local honey stands. Beeswax candles are a source of negative ions, and can help reduce indoor air pollution (who knew!).

Choose candles with a healthy wick.

It is important to know what is in your wick. Some candles contain toxic metals in their wicks. A candle with a lead-core wick releases five times the amount of lead considered hazardous for children and exceeds EPA pollution standards for outdoor air, Instead, opt for a candle with a braided cotton or paper and cellulose wick.

Choose candles with a natural scent source. 

How are Scented Candles Made?

Synthetic fragrances are often composed of harmful chemicals that disrupt balance in the body. If the scent is one of your favorite parts about lighting a candle, opt for candles with essential oils instead or use a oil diffuser and clean oils from a source like DoTerra. 

Opt for LED rechargeable candles. 

All the ambiance with none of the toxins or fire hazards! Some are made of beeswax and most use batteries (not the most eco-friendly!), so choose a USB rechargeable version to last as long as possible. 

What about Birthday Candles?

Check out this LINK for clean toxic free birthday candles.

We hope this run-down helps detoxify your home and encourages healthier relaxation!