In order to demystify it all, I decided to write a few words on the subject. Rest assured, before being in this business, we were, like most of you, a little confused about all of this!
To answer the first question; they are not. Instead, we use high-quality fragrance oils that are free of phthalates and parabens. There are several reasons that explain our choice. Let me explain the major differences between these two substances.
ESSENTIAL OILS
Essential oils, mainly extracted by distillation, have properties relating to the plants they come from. These properties can influence our health, often positively (antiseptic, antifungal, anti-allergic, etc.). This is why they are often used in aromatherapy, and sometimes even as medication. However, we must be careful when using them, especially for pregnant women and young children. Some oils are stronger than others, such as sage, eucalyptus, and cinnamon. Too much essential oil can cause irritation. I'll spare you the details on the time I added eucalyptus essential oil in my bath hoping to help get rid of a nasty cold. I will simply recommend that you NEVER try it! Ouch!
Essential oils are also more expensive and frankly more volatile than fragrance oils, which, for us, makes them less of a good choice in the manufacture of scented candles, because their smell fades more quickly.
FRAGRANCE OILS
Fragrance oils, also called scented oil or simply fragrance, are synthetically made from ingredients that mimic certain fragrances. Their possibilities are virtually endless, which makes them quite practical. For example, our dear coffee+toffee would be impossible to produce with essential oils! Pumpkin spice latte? Easy to recreate!
Another important thing to consider in the manufacture of scented products is the flash point of the oil, i.e., the product's resistance to heat. Fragrance oils have a much higher flash point which makes them a better choice when combined to the warm soy wax in our candles. Essential oils, which have a lower flash point, risk “burning”, and thus lose their fragrance and properties.
It is important for us to choose oils free of phthalates and parabens in order to offer you a healthy and non-toxic product. It is also for this reason that we use 100% natural soy wax without additives.
CERTIFIED OILS
Our oils are also tested to pass standardization tests called IFRA. These tests, recognized by government authorities, verify the ingredients and ratios of fragrances to ensure their quality and safety. The IFRA certificates that our fragrances have attest that the manufacturing complies with industry standards.
Most people want their candles to smell long enough without giving them a headache. It is for this reason, among other things, that we have opted for high quality fragrance oils and that we work on the ratio of each candle so that they gently perfume your homes, without giving you the impression of living in this one store that sells bath and body related products whose name we will keep silent. No offense, we love this store, but we won't pretend that it’s not a tad INTENSE.
There you go, now you know the main differences between the two, and the reasons that tipped us in the balance. You can now go and enjoy the soft crackling of our soy candles, knowing that they are designed and manufactured with care, right down to the choice of materials that compose them.
See you soon! xx
PHOTO PAR KADARIUS SEEGARS SUR UNSPLASH
