What is really in your candle?

At Shmood, we care about you and our planet which is why we only use 100% natural ingredients. That means no chemicals fragrances, toxic waxes or polluting wicks. I was once oblivious to the harmful chemicals found in many of the scented products that I was purchasing. That's why I am now so passionate about educating people on 'what is really in your candle?'

Three of the most common candle waxes that you’ve probably seen are paraffin, beeswax, and soy. Paraffin candles, made from a by-product of petroleum, are most commonly used in mass-produced stores as they give great throw (the scent that emits when burnt) for a lower amount of fragrance (cheaper to make). The downsides of paraffin are that it can be toxic to animals and even humans when burnt. Remember that black soot that was left on your wall when you were done burning that candle? That’s paraffin for you!

Beeswax on the other hand, although a cleaner source, isn’t vegan-friendly which was important for me as I live a mostly vegan lifestyle. So, I did some digging into soy wax and discovered it was made simply from soybeans: a fully renewable source. Soy is 100% biodegradable, a natural resource, and does not contain harmful carcinogens such as benzene and toluene that paraffin candles do. Lastly, soy wax burns at a lower melting point than other waxes, which means that the life of the candle can last up to 50% longer than other waxes!

Have we convinced you yet that soy wax is the way to go?*

Next, you should consider the wick that’s being used...

I hope that this blog post has provided you with some insight on how to pick out your next candle! We believe that by keeping in simple and 100% natural, we are doing are bit for your health and our planet. 

If you have any questions about the materials we use or want to learn more about it, please reach out to us at info@shmood.co.uk