PRACTISE SAFE SCENT
Relax to the max without the worry of any chemical nasties polluting your home, says Jess Denham
The stresses of daily life are continuing to take their toll on many of us, so it's little wonder that candles are as popular as ever.
But while lighting your favourite scented delight for some me-time before bed often offers at least temporary relief, many are made from paraffin wax with synthetic fragrance. When burned, paraffin wax (made from petroleum waste) creates toxic benzene and toluene chemicals, both of which are known carcinogens. It means that breathing them in is as bad for your health as second-hand smoke. If you suffer from headaches when a candle is burning, it may well be down to the paraffin. What's more, the artificial scents and dyes often used can also release harmful chemicals when burned, possibly triggering asthma
attacks and allergies.
Finding candles that are totally free of nasties can be tricky, especially as marketing material often makes it hard to distinguish what is and isn't natural (a "blend" may mean a mixture of natural and synthetic ingredients, for example).
Every candle in the list below is non-toxic, with cotton wicks to ensure a safe, clean burn, and many of the natural essential oils used for the scents have calming qualities.
Quality has not been compromised for ethics, either – the throw on some of these is just as impressive if not better than your favourite luxury brand.
1. Tussie Mussie Keepsake Rosemary and Lavender Luxury Candle: £32 for 200g, Not On The High Street
What’s in a name? Well, in the case of these ethical candles, it’s the history of Victorian lovers gifting each other hand-tied posies made from flowers and herbs called Tussie Mussies. The idea was that flowers spoke a secret poetic language, with this intensely relaxing blend of only the finest essential oils suggesting compassion (lavender), remembrance (rosemary) and friendship (bergamot). Made from natural soy wax, you can expect this candle to burn for up to 30 hours (remember to pop the silver lid it comes with back on after use to keep the candle free from dust). For a brand that we had not previously heard of, it’s throw surprised us, more than rivalling household names like Jo Malone when it comes to filling a big room with fragrance.
2. Lola’s Apothecary Sweet Lullaby Fragrant Candle: £42 for 220g, Fragrance Direct