Brooke Martin
Candles are a source of light and fragrance, and their popularity has soared as people spend more time at home. They are increasingly being marketed as lifestyle and self-care products, with celebrities like Michelle Pfeiffer and Alicia Keys launching their own candle lines. While candles are not traditionally considered cosmetics, the lines between beauty, wellness, and lifestyle categories are blurring. This raises the question of whether candles should be classified as cosmetics, particularly in the context of regulations and standards for candle-making businesses.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition of cosmetics | Articles intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled, or sprayed on, introduced into, or otherwise applied to the human body...for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance |
| Examples of cosmetics | Skin moisturizers, perfumes, lipsticks, fingernail polishes, eye and facial makeup preparations, shampoos, permanent waves, hair colors, toothpastes, and deodorants |
| Are candles cosmetics? | No, candles are not cosmetics because they do not touch your skin |
| Are candles beauty products? | Candles are considered beauty products by some because they provide a pleasant scent and create an ambiance and feeling, changing your mood or lifting your spirits |
| Are there legal requirements for selling candles? | Yes, there are industry standards and safety regulations for selling candles, including fire safety warning labels |
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What You'll Learn
Candles as a self-care product
While candles are not traditionally considered cosmetics, their popularity as a self-care product is on the rise. People are increasingly viewing candles as a beauty and wellness product, with their usage in meditation, manifesting, and other wellness and spiritual activities. The COVID-19 pandemic also shifted consumer spending habits, with more money being spent on home, health, and self-care.
Candles are now seen as an affordable luxury, a "feel-good" item that can create a sense of ambiance and transform a space. They can also be used to enhance one's mood, much like other beauty and wellness products. The scent of a candle can provide an uplifting or soothing experience, depending on the fragrance. For example, Self Care Co.'s candles feature invigorating and relaxing aromas, with notes of citrus, verbena, mint leaf, lavender, moss, and eucalyptus.
The act of lighting a candle can also be a form of self-care. It can create a moment of mindfulness and help to soothe anxiety, stress, and low mood. The soft, warm glow of a candle can provide a sense of comfort and relaxation, and its flickering light can be calming and help create a sense of peace.
Candles made with natural ingredients, such as essential oils and vegetable wax, are also becoming popular, as they offer an eco-friendly and vegan option for those who want to practice self-care in a more natural and sustainable way.
Overall, candles have become an integral part of the self-care routine for many, offering a multi-sensory experience that can enhance one's environment and mood.
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Candles in beauty aisles
Candles have long been considered pieces of decoration, but their popularity has surged as people spend more time at home and seek out feel-good moments. They are now used during meditation, manifesting, and other wellness and spiritual activities, and are even considered an affluent self-care product.
The rise of candles as a self-care item has led to their appearance in beauty aisles. Beauty brands and retailers are increasingly treating candles as beauty items, blurring the lines between beauty and wellness. For example, Henry Rose, the fragrance brand founded by actress Michelle Pfeiffer, expanded into candles, with its president, Debi Theis, stating that "fragrance in all forms is now part of our holistic [beauty and wellness] routine".
Celebrities are also embracing the trend, with Alicia Keys' skincare brand Keys Soulcare and actor Anthony Hopkins both launching candles. Beauty influencer Jackie Aina has also released a candle, further cementing the association between candles and beauty.
While candles may not be considered traditional beauty items by some, their ability to create ambiance, change moods, and provide a pleasant scent aligns with the goals of many beauty and wellness products. As a result, candles have overtaken perfume and cologne as the favored aromatic.
However, it's important to note that candles are not regulated as cosmetics, which are defined as products intended for direct application to the human body for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering appearance. Candles are instead classified as potential health and safety hazards due to their fire risk.
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Candles as a wellness product
While candles are not typically considered cosmetics, their popularity as a wellness product is increasing. Candles are often associated with creating a pleasant atmosphere through their warm lighting and fragrances. They are used in various contexts, from religious ceremonies to home décor and aromatherapy.
The rise of the 'lifestyle' category has contributed to the growing popularity of candles. With people spending more time at home, candles have become a way to enhance one's surroundings and create a sense of luxury and self-care. This shift in consumer behaviour has led to candles being positioned as a wellness product, with brands marketing them alongside beauty and skincare items.
The notion of candles as a wellness product is further supported by their use in meditation, manifestation, and other spiritual practices. The act of lighting a candle and experiencing its scent and ambiance can positively impact one's mood and overall well-being. This association with emotional and spiritual enhancement blurs the line between beauty and wellness, challenging the traditional definition of cosmetics.
While candles may not fit the legal definition of cosmetics, their ability to influence one's sensory experience and emotional state aligns with the purpose of many cosmetic products. The fragrance and ambiance created by candles can enhance self-care rituals, similar to the way beauty and wellness products are used to promote relaxation and improve one's mood.
As the boundaries between lifestyle, wellness, and beauty continue to evolve, candles are increasingly being recognised as more than just a source of light. Their ability to engage the senses and evoke feelings of comfort, luxury, or spiritual connection solidifies their place in the wellness sphere.
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Candles as a beauty product
Candles have become increasingly popular as a home fragrance, with many celebrities and beauty brands launching their own ranges. While some may not consider candles a traditional beauty product, their popularity among beauty brands and retailers is seeing a shift in perception.
The rise of candles as a beauty product is perhaps unsurprising given the current social climate. With people spending more time at home, there is a desire to create a pleasant environment, and candles are an affordable way to do this. They are also used in wellness and spiritual practices, such as meditation, and are seen as a form of self-care.
The candle market has seen a boom in recent years, with a 13% sales increase in the fragrance category, according to NPD Group's second-quarter report. This is in contrast to a 37% decline in sales for the category overall. The pandemic also saw a boost in candle sales, with people wanting their homes to smell nice while they were stuck inside.
The proliferation of "luxury" candles has also contributed to their popularity as a beauty product. With brands focusing on packaging and scent, candles have become an affordable luxury for many. The ease of candle-making has also led to a low barrier to entry for companies wanting to sell candles, which has resulted in a saturated market.
The definition of a beauty product is perhaps a moot point when it comes to candles, as their popularity in the beauty sphere is undeniable. They are now considered a lifestyle item, with people using them to set the mood and create an ambiance, much like other beauty and wellness products.
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Candles as a cosmetic: legal definition
While candles are not explicitly mentioned in the legal definition of cosmetics, there is a growing trend of candles being marketed and sold as beauty and wellness products. This shift can be attributed to the increasing popularity of premium candles and their association with self-care, meditation, and spiritual wellness practices.
According to the Federal Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), a "cosmetic" is defined as:
> "articles intended to be rubbed, poured, sprinkled, or sprayed on, introduced into, or otherwise applied to the human body...for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance."
This definition includes products such as skin moisturizers, perfumes, lipsticks, fingernail polishes, and eye and facial makeup preparations. However, candles are not typically applied to the human body in the same way as these products, and therefore may not fall under the legal definition of a cosmetic product.
In terms of regulations, candle manufacturers must adhere to industry standards and safety regulations, particularly those related to fire safety. This includes the requirement to use a fire safety warning label on each candle, including the official fire alert symbol and relevant hazard information. Additionally, there are legal considerations regarding trademarks, copyrights, and website sales disclosures when selling candles to the public.
While candles may not strictly be considered cosmetics under the current legal definition, their growing association with beauty and wellness routines could lead to a shift in their classification over time.
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Frequently asked questions
No, candles are not considered cosmetics. Cosmetics are products that touch your skin and are applied to the human body for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering the appearance. Candles are home fragrance products and are considered lifestyle items.
Yes, there are regulations for selling candles, particularly around safety and labelling. In the US, the National Candle Association (NCA) has played an important role in creating a set of candle industry standards to address the increase in fires caused by candles.
Examples of cosmetics include skin moisturizers, perfumes, lipsticks, fingernail polishes, eye and facial makeup preparations, shampoos, hair colors, and deodorants.
Yes, some products can be considered both cosmetics and drugs. For example, an anti-dandruff shampoo is a cosmetic because it cleanses the hair, but it is also a drug because it treats dandruff.
