NON-TOXIC SWAP: candles

Bath and Body Works used to be my go-to candle shop. Who else loved the Leaves scented candle there? 🙈🙋🏼‍♀️

Through my holistic healing journey, I learned how toxic these candles can be and the harm it can do to my body + hormones.

Why are they toxic? ⛔️

Phthalates are a group of chemicals used in fragrance products to help them smell good. However, phthalates are associated with increased free radical damage.

Free radicals are reactive molecules that have unpaired electrons. When they get too high in our cells they can damage cellular structures. This damage can lead to cell dysfunction which will then cause our tissues to function abnormally. Once they enter the bloodstream, they can aggravate allergy and asthma symptoms in some people and have been found to alter hormone levels.

Most candles are made of paraffin wax (a petroleum waste product that is chemically bleached), which creates highly toxic benzene and toluene (both are known carcinogens) when burned. The petro-soot released from paraffin candles are the same as those found in diesel fuel fumes and can be as dangerous at second-hand smoke.

When looking for candles, I like to make sure they are made with:

〰️Essential oils or unscented

〰️All-natural products like beeswax or soy

〰️Have paper or 100% cotton wicks

A great option is @lohnofficial 💛

You can find them at @thedetoxmarket

What non-toxic candle brands do you like to use? 👇🏻

Want to remove more artificial home fragrance from your home? Check out our blog post here about a non-toxic swap for plug-ins!