Jessie Taylor
Candles are an ancient source of light, used for over two millennia, and were the primary form of indoor lighting until the invention of electric light. They are made from wax and a wick, with the wax traditionally sourced from animal fats, such as tallow, or beeswax. In the mid-1800s, candles were also made from spermaceti, a substance derived from Sperm whales. Today, most candles are made from paraffin wax, a byproduct of petroleum refining, although candles can also be made from plant-based waxes, such as soy, coconut, or palm wax. The wicks of candles are now often made from metal, with zinc and tin-core wicks being proven safe and non-toxic. The fragrances used in scented candles can be either synthetic or natural, with natural fragrances derived from essential oils.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Candle Composition | Wicks, wax, or other flammable solid substances such as tallow, paraffin wax, stearic acid, spermaceti, stearin, beeswax, gel, plant waxes, microcrystalline wax, mineral salts, and palm waxes |
| Candle Manufacturing Techniques | Molding, dipping, extruding, pressing, rolling, drawing, or filling |
| Candle Safety | No known health hazards associated with scented candles; fragrances approved for candle usage do not release toxic chemicals; zinc and tin-core wicks are safe and non-toxic |
| Candle Fragrances | Synthetic fragrances are made in a laboratory; natural fragrances are derived from essential oils extracted from plants |
| Candle Efficacy | The size of the flame and corresponding rate of burning is controlled by the candle wick; the kind of wax used also affects the burn rate |
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What You'll Learn
- Candles were historically made from tallow or beeswax
- In the 19th century, candles were made from paraffin wax and stearic acid
- Modern candles are made from a variety of waxes, including paraffin, beeswax, and vegetable-based waxes
- Candles can be scented with synthetic or natural fragrances
- The safety of candle fragrances is not dependent on whether they are synthetic or natural
Candles were historically made from tallow or beeswax
Candles are ignitable wicks embedded in wax or another flammable solid substance such as tallow, and they have been used for over two millennia worldwide. For most of recorded history, candles were made from tallow (animal fat) or beeswax. Tallow was a cheaper alternative to beeswax, but it was less aesthetically pleasing.
Beeswax candles were historically reserved for elite members of society and for use in churches and ceremonies because they had no objectionable odour. In contrast, tallow candles were common for everyday household use in the Middle Ages. Beeswax candles were also preferred because they were easier to work with, having a soft texture and a pleasant, natural smell.
Tallow candles can be made at home by melting clean chunks of fat in a large, shallow pan in an oven set to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. However, tallow candles may require hardening with alum or stearic acid. Mixing beeswax with tallow can also harden the wax and reduce its odour.
In the 19th century, candles were also made from spermaceti, a waxy substance derived from sperm whales. Michel Eugène Chevreul and Joseph Louis Gay-Lussac also discovered how to obtain stearin from animal fats in 1825, producing candles that burned brighter and harder. By the end of the 19th century, candles were primarily made from paraffin wax and stearic acid.
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In the 19th century, candles were made from paraffin wax and stearic acid
Candles have been used for over two millennia, with the earliest use often attributed to the Ancient Egyptians. For most of their history, candles were made from tallow (animal fats) or beeswax. However, in the 19th century, candles began to be made from paraffin wax and stearic acid.
The use of paraffin wax and stearic acid in candle-making was a result of advancements in chemistry and changes in the availability of raw materials. Paraffin wax, a by-product of petroleum refining, became a common ingredient in candles in the 19th century. It had been used in candles since the late 18th century, when the whaling industry brought about the first major change in candle-making since the Middle Ages with the introduction of spermaceti, a wax derived from sperm whales.
Stearic acid, another important component of 19th-century candles, was derived from animal fats. In the early 19th century, chemists introduced the saponification process, which allowed for the separation of saturated fatty acids (stearic acid) from the liquid portion of fats such as tallow. This made the production of stearic acid an important chemical industry in the 19th century.
The combination of paraffin wax and stearic acid improved the performance of candles. Stearic acid, for example, helped to increase the melting point of paraffin candles, making them more stable when burning.
The manufacture of candles became an industrialised mass market in the mid-19th century. By the end of the century, Price's Candles, based in London, was the largest candle manufacturer in the world. They pioneered the use of steam distillation, enabling them to produce candles from a wide range of raw materials, including skin fat, bone fat, fish oil, and industrial greases.
Despite these advances in candle-making, the candle industry went into decline with the introduction of superior lighting methods, such as kerosene lamps and the incandescent light bulb. Candles began to be marketed as decorative items, and consumer interest in scented candles grew.
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Modern candles are made from a variety of waxes, including paraffin, beeswax, and vegetable-based waxes
Candles are made by embedding a wick in wax or another flammable solid substance, such as tallow. They have been used for over two millennia and were a significant form of indoor lighting until the invention of other light sources.
Today, candles are typically made from paraffin wax, a byproduct of petroleum refining. They can also be made from microcrystalline wax, beeswax, gel, or some plant waxes, such as palm, carnauba, bayberry, or soybean wax.
Beeswax was introduced to Europe during the Middle Ages and has been used in candle-making for thousands of years. However, due to its expense, its use was limited to the elite and churches. Tallow was the typical everyday candle wax used in Europe and the Americas until the 18th century, when the whaling industry stimulated the development of spermaceti wax, a clean-burning, low-odor wax derived from the head oil of the sperm whale. Spermaceti remained the primary candle wax until the mid-1800s when stearin wax and then paraffin wax were developed.
In the late 1990s, two vegetable-based candle waxes, soy wax and palm wax, were developed for commercial use in the candle market. Soy wax is derived from soybean oil, while palm wax is derived from palm oil. These waxes are considered more environmentally friendly than paraffin wax and burn slower and cleaner, producing less soot. However, soy wax does not hold fragrance as well as other waxes and can be more difficult to work with.
Paraffin wax is the most commonly used candle wax today due to its low cost and ability to hold fragrance and color. However, it is derived from the oil industry, making it less eco-friendly than other options.
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Candles can be scented with synthetic or natural fragrances
Candles are a source of light and fragrance and have been used for over two millennia. They are made by embedding a wick in wax or another flammable solid substance such as tallow. Today, most candles are made from paraffin wax, a byproduct of petroleum refining. However, candles can also be made from natural waxes like beeswax, soy, coconut, or plant waxes such as palm, carnauba, bayberry, or soybean wax.
The safety of a fragrance, whether synthetic or natural, is dependent on its concentration in the air and not its origin. To ensure the safety of fragrances used in candles, formulas are reviewed against the standards established by the International Fragrance Association (IFRA). Each ingredient in the fragrance and the finished product must meet the specifications set by the IFRA to be compliant with the standard. If the fragrance meets the standard, it is considered safe for human use.
While there are no known health hazards associated with scented candles, concerns have been raised about the safety of synthetic fragrances versus natural fragrances. However, scientific studies have shown that all major candle waxes exhibit the same basic burn behavior and produce virtually identical combustion byproducts, regardless of the type of fragrance used.
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The safety of candle fragrances is not dependent on whether they are synthetic or natural
Candles have been used for over two millennia, and while they are no longer necessary for illumination, they are still commonly used for functional, symbolic, and aesthetic purposes.
Scented candles are a popular household item, but concerns have been raised about the safety of their fragrances. It is important to note that the safety of candle fragrances is not dependent on whether they are synthetic or natural. Validated scientific studies have shown that all major candle waxes exhibit the same basic burn behaviour and produce virtually identical combustion byproducts, both in terms of composition and amount. To date, no peer-reviewed scientific study has ever collected or analysed emissions data on any candle wax and proven it to be harmful to human health.
However, it is worth mentioning that fragrance oils, which are commonly used in scented candles, can contain synthetic fragrances and chemicals that may be harmful. These synthetic fragrances are one of the world's top allergens and can contain dozens to hundreds of undisclosed chemical ingredients per scent. They have been associated with negative health effects such as headaches, migraines, asthma, lung disease, and even cancer.
On the other hand, natural fragrance options, such as beeswax candles, can be a healthier alternative. Beeswax candles burn clean with minimal soot and no emission of chemicals, providing a non-toxic and safe option for creating a pleasant atmosphere. Additionally, essential oils can be used to create natural fragrances that are free of harmful chemicals.
While the safety of candle fragrances may not depend solely on their synthetic or natural origin, it is important to be aware of the potential risks associated with certain ingredients. Consumers should look for candles made with approved ingredients and review the safety standards established by organisations like the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) to make informed choices.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, candles are man-made. They are created through the process of embedding a wick into wax, which is then moulded, dipped, extruded, pressed, rolled, drawn or filled into a desired shape and size.
Candles can be made from natural ingredients, such as beeswax, soy, coconut or plant waxes. However, many candles are made from paraffin wax, a byproduct of petroleum refining, which is not a natural substance.
There are no known health hazards associated with scented candles. Scientific studies have shown that all major candle waxes exhibit the same basic burn behaviour and produce identical combustion byproducts. To date, no study has proven candle waxes to be harmful to human health. However, synthetic fragrances can cause headaches and allergic reactions, so natural candles scented with essential oils are often considered a safer option.
