What Is Used for Candle Scent?

Candle scent is added to melted candle wax while candles are being made. This fragrance can be a liquid or solid scent. A solid candle color must melt in the liquid wax before the candle wax is poured into a mold.

Types

Candles marketed as natural candles use essential oils to scent the candles. Essential oils are extracted from fragrant plants.

Function

Candle scents are often blends of natural scent oils and synthetic scents. Candles that use blends are sometimes marketed with terms like "infused with natural oils".

Safety

There are more than 2,000 chemicals used as scents by the candle industry. These chemicals have to be tested for safety before they are used in candles.

Features

Organic candle scents are made from organic essential oils derived from plants that were not treated with pesticides or herbicides. These candles are often used in aromatherapy.

Considerations

The EPA stated in a 2001 report that scented candles emit more soot than unscented candles. The soot emitted can enter the lungs and aggravate lung conditions such as asthma.

References

• Candles.org: Fragrance
• EPA: Candles and Incense as Potential Sources of Indoor Air Pollution