Everyone loves candles — they’re best-sellers in the home fragrance world for a reason. There’s nothing like the simple joy of lighting your favorite aromatherapy candle at night after a long day of work or while cleaning the living room (again) right before guests arrive. But do you know what ingredients are in the best scented candles in your collection?
When you’re shopping for those big multi-wick candles that you love, you might tend to let your nose do the choosing. While scent is queen at Snif and should be one of the main deciding factors, the wax your candle is made from matters, too. There are different types of wax used to make candles, but they’re not all created equal.
At Snif, we make vegetable and soy wax candles for the cleanest, most even burn and longest multi-hour burn time possible. However, when you’re strolling the aisles of your favorite store looking for some new votive candles or larger scented candles, one of the most common waxes you may see used is paraffin.
In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to consider when it comes to paraffin wax. We’ll also introduce you to some of our favorite paraffin-free scented candles that you should pick up from your new favorite candle brand: Snif.
Why Choose Paraffin-Free Scented Candles?
Before we tell you why you should consider buying paraffin-free scented candles from your new favorite candle co., you might be wondering what exactly paraffin is.
Paraffin is a low-cost wax that can make fragrances stronger and elongate burn times in glass jar candles. Sounds pretty good, right? Unfortunately, paraffin isn’t as sweet a deal for you or the planet as it may sound.
In this section, we’re going to look at six reasons why you might want to ditch your paraffin candles and go for a clean-burning vegan alternative.
1. Paraffin Wax Is Extracted From Fuel
First and foremost, the paraffin wax used by candle brands for candle making is extracted from fuel, meaning that it is a byproduct of petroleum. In case you’re wondering if the petroleum we’re talking about is the same stuff you put in your car, the answer is yes. This means that burning paraffin can have a negative impact on the air quality in your home.
2. Paraffin Wax Isn’t Eco-Friendly
Paraffin wax is bad for the planet’s health. Just like deforestation that’s affecting the Amazon and other places, the petroleum industry and its byproduct, paraffin, cause major issues for the planet.
Harvesting paraffin wax is harmful because it comes from fossil fuels, the extraction of which can cause oil spills, habitat destruction, and climate change. Plus, sustainably-sourced alternatives are already used by candle makers around the world, so there are plenty of eco-friendly options to choose instead of paraffin.
Burning paraffin wax, even in a classic candle, can release harmful emissions that may contribute to Greenhouse Gas emissions. Finally, in most of its forms, paraffin wax is not biodegradable because it is a by-product of petroleum.
3. Paraffin Wax May Release Toulene Into the Air
Paraffin wax may also release toluene into the air. Toluene is a chemical found in petrol, paints, inks, adhesives, rubber, and cleaning agents.
When exposed to air, toluene evaporates, so it is impossible to see. However, toluene is active even when you can’t see it — and harmful to the atmosphere. Toluene is considered a volatile organic compound, meaning that it can cause indoor air pollution and be toxic to aquatic life when outdoors.
4. Vegetable Wax Is Considered More Sustainable
Given that paraffin wax is potentially harmful to the environment, there has been ample research done on vegetable wax in recent years. It is considered more sustainable than paraffin because vegetable wax comes from biobased vegetable oils as opposed to petroleum, a harmful fossil fuel. That’s why we combine it with our other non-toxic favorite, soy wax, to create our clean products.
Meet Our Paraffin-Free Candles
Now that you know all the reasons to steer clear of paraffin, you might find yourself in the market for high-quality scented candles made from alternative waxes. Look no further than Snif! We have an entire collection of candles that are vegan, cruelty-free, preservative-free, and, of course, paraffin-free.
There are plenty of long-lasting non-toxic candle alternatives, including:
- Vegetable wax blend candles (our personal favorite)
- Soy candles
- Coconut wax candles
(Beeswax is another common wax alternative, but it isn’t vegan … and it’s also not the safest or most environmentally-conscious option.)
Our candles are made in small batches using a vegetable wax blend with a mix of essential oils and fragrances poured in reusable glass jars for the best experience before, during, and after your candle burns.
Let’s take a close look at a few of our favorite candles that you can burn without worry.
Ditch Plains
If you want to capture the smells of an east coast surfer’s paradise, then try Ditch Plains — our limited edition candle named after a beach in the heart of Montauk. This candle is scented with orange blossom, tuberose, rum, sandalwood, cedarwood, tobacco, and amber.
Sweet Ash
Designed after our award-winning Sweet Ash scent, this candle is a silky, earthy blend that will sweeten up any space. Made with juniper, bergamot, fir balsam, tonka, vanilla bean, white moss, and patchouli, this candle can make any room a little bit comfier.
Instant Karma
This dark, dreamy candle is a combination of cardamom, nashi pear, black plum, geranium, vetiver, cedarwood, and black tea. Instant Karma’s cozy, moody vibe is perfect for a nightcap or movie night with cool company.
Birds and the Breeze
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a scent that’ll get you out of bed when nothing else will, we’d recommend Birds and the Breeze. It’s a candle that will remind you of the sea salt spray that hits you on a day trip to the Hamptons. The blend of mimosa petals, galbanum, jasmine, cyclamen, orchid, musk, and cedarwood, is citrusy and subtle, perfect for early birds and casually late birds alike.
Off the Grid
You know those moments when you just want to close your eyes, unplug, and float away? Go to your happy place with this mix of lily, moss, cypress, tuberose, cedar, amber, and sandalwood. Off the Grid is a warm, calming candle perfect for a night on do not disturb.
Prenup
Everyone knows that life is better with a little insurance, so we’re inviting you to try our Prenup candle, scented with ink, black amber, vetiver, ebony wood, musk, vanilla, and tonka bean. This rich, sweet scent will keep the flames burning long past “I Do.”
Find Your New Favorite Scented Candle
With so many scents to choose from, we hope that you can find your new favorite scented candle at Snif. We’re dedicated to making high-quality candles that you trust with ingredients that are good for you too.
Sources:
Preventing Paraffin-Related Injury | PMC
Environmental Impact of the Petroleum Industry | EPA
Paraffin - an overview | ScienceDirect
A review of recent development of sustainable waxes derived from vegetable oils | ScienceDirect