Jessie Taylor
In 2015, Glade announced that it would disclose more information about the chemicals in its products, including its candles. While dyes, waxes, and fragrances were already listed on the company's online ingredient lists, the chemical makeup of the specific fragrances in each product was not. Glade's Cool Coconut 3-Wick Candle, for example, includes fragrance ingredients such as allyl 3-cyclohexylpropionate, allyl caproate, benzyl alcohol, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), coumarin, dipropylene glycol, ethyl hydroxypyrone, and ethyl methylphenylg. Octabenzone, a UV stabilizer, is also included in this candle to prevent fading and maintain the color of the product.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fragrance ingredients | allyl 3-cyclohexylpropionate, allyl caproate, benzyl alcohol, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), coumarin, dipropylene glycol, ethyl hydroxypyrone, ethyl methylphenylg |
| Wax | Proprietary Wax Blend Wax |
| Octabenzone | UV Absorber, Stabilizer |
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What You'll Learn
Glade discloses candle ingredients
In 2015, Glade disclosed the ingredients of its candles and other products for the first time. While dyes, waxes, and fragrances had already been listed on the company's online ingredient lists, the chemical makeup of the specific fragrances in each product had not been disclosed.
Glade's decision to reveal its ingredients came amid a growing trend of transparency in the fragrance industry. The company followed in the footsteps of food products, which had already started listing their ingredients. Glade's parent company, SC Johnson, announced that customers could view the top fragrance ingredients for Glade's air fresheners, candles, and scented oils on its website, WhatsInsideScJohnson.com.
On the website, users can click on the brand icons to access the list of ingredients for products sold in the UK and Ireland. For example, the Glade Cool Coconut 3-Wick Candle includes a proprietary wax blend, octabenzone (a UV stabilizer), and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), a stabilizer found in cosmetics and moisturizers.
While Glade's disclosure was a step towards transparency, some experts raised concerns. Anne Steinemann, a professor at the University of Melbourne, noted that the term "fragrance" could encompass several hundred different chemicals, some of which are hazardous air pollutants. She argued that by not revealing the full fragrance ingredient list, Glade might be omitting crucial information, especially considering that lower concentrations of certain chemicals could be more concerning than higher levels of others.
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'Fragrance' can mean hundreds of chemicals
In 2015, Glade began disclosing the ingredients of its air fresheners, candles, and scented oils on its website. While dyes, waxes, and fragrances were already listed in the company's online ingredient lists, the specific chemical makeup of these fragrances was not. This is significant because the term "fragrance" can encompass hundreds of different chemicals, as Anne Steinemann, a professor at the University of Melbourne, Victoria, points out. Some of these chemicals are hazardous air pollutants, including known carcinogens, reproductive toxins, and neurotoxins.
Prior to Glade's decision to reveal its ingredients, the specific chemical makeup of fragrances was often guarded as a trade secret, and companies were not required to disclose this information to consumers. This lack of transparency raised concerns among experts, who argued that important information about potential health risks might be withheld from consumers.
Jam Stewart, an SCJ spokesperson, stated that the company would share the highest ingredient concentrations, ranging from 30 to 50 ingredients, representing 0.09% of the fragrance formula. However, Professor Steinemann highlights that lower concentrations of certain chemicals can sometimes be more concerning than higher levels of others. These lower concentrations may not be included in Glade's disclosed ingredients, potentially omitting crucial health-related information.
One of the chemicals disclosed by Glade is butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), found in the Glade ® Cool Coconut 3-Wick Candle. BHT is a stabilizer and antioxidant commonly used in cosmetics and moisturizers to maintain product performance when exposed to air. While European and U.S. regulators have approved BHT for use in food, there are concerns about its consumption as a food additive. Glade emphasizes that their products containing BHT are not intended for ingestion.
Another ingredient in the Glade ® Cool Coconut 3-Wick Candle is octabenzone, a UV stabilizer that helps prevent fading and maintains the color of the product when exposed to light. Octabenzone is also listed as a skin allergen by SC Johnson, demonstrating the potential health implications of certain chemical ingredients used in fragrances.
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Some ingredients are allergens
In 2015, Glade began disclosing more information about the ingredients in its products, including its candles. While dyes, waxes, and fragrances were already listed on the company’s online ingredient lists, the chemical makeup of the specific fragrances in each product was not. This is significant because the word "fragrance" can mean several hundred different chemicals, some of which may be hazardous.
One of the disclosed ingredients in Glade's candles is octabenzone, a stabilizer that helps prevent fading and maintain the color of a product when exposed to light over time. Octabenzone is also found in polymers, paints, and coatings. However, it is important to note that octabenzone is on SC Johnson's list of skin allergens.
Another ingredient found in Glade candles is butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), which acts as an antioxidant and helps maintain the properties and performance of a product when exposed to air. While BHT is approved for use in cosmetics, moisturizers, and food by European and U.S. regulators, some concerns have been raised over its use as a food additive. However, Glade emphasizes that their products containing BHT are not intended for ingestion.
It is worth mentioning that SC Johnson, the maker of Glade products, has stated that the chemicals they are disclosing are believed to be safe for humans at the concentrations used. Nonetheless, some experts have voiced concerns about the potential health effects of fragrance chemicals, emphasizing that lower concentrations of certain chemicals may be more concerning than higher levels of others.
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Some ingredients are carcinogens
In 2015, Glade began disclosing more information about the chemicals in their products, including the ingredients of their candles. While dyes, waxes, and fragrances had already been listed on the company’s online ingredient lists, the chemical makeup of the specific fragrances in each product had not been disclosed.
One of the ingredients in Glade candles is octabenzone, a stabilizer that can also be found in polymers, paints, and coatings. Octabenzone is on SC Johnson's list of skin allergens. Another ingredient is butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), a stabilizer that acts as an antioxidant and can also be found in cosmetics and moisturizers. European and U.S. regulators have approved BHT for use in food, but some concerns have been raised over its use as a food additive.
Despite Glade's increased transparency, some experts have voiced concerns about the potential health effects of their products. Anne Steinemann, a professor at the University of Melbourne, has studied the health effects of air fresheners and notes that the word "fragrance" on ingredient lists can mean several hundred different chemicals, some of which are hazardous air pollutants, including known carcinogens, reproductive toxins, and neurotoxins. She argues that by not revealing the full fragrance ingredient list, Glade may be withholding important information from consumers.
While the chemicals disclosed by Glade are believed to be safe for humans at the concentrations used, Steinemann points out that lower concentrations of some chemicals can be more concerning than higher levels of others. At lower concentrations, certain ingredients may not meet Glade's 0.09% concentration cutoff for disclosure, leaving consumers unaware of their presence in the products.
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Glade purchased fragrances from outside sources
In 2015, Glade, owned by SC Johnson, began disclosing more information about the chemicals in their products, including the ingredients of their candles. This was a significant step, as fragrance information is typically challenging to obtain, with companies guarding their formulas as trade secrets.
Prior to this, Glade had listed general categories such as dyes, waxes, and fragrances on their online ingredient lists, but the specific chemical makeup of these fragrances was not disclosed. This is because many companies, including Glade, purchase fragrances from external fragrance houses, which closely guard their formulas.
For example, Glade's Hawaiian Breeze Room Spray includes fragrance ingredients such as allyl 3-cyclohexylpropionate, allyl caproate, benzyl alcohol, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), coumarin, dipropylene glycol, ethyl hydroxypyrone, and ethyl methylphenyl.
While Glade has increased transparency by sharing the highest ingredient concentrations, down to 0.09% of the fragrance formula, some experts still express concerns. Anne Steinemann, a professor at the University of Melbourne, notes that the term "fragrance" can encompass hundreds of different chemicals, some of which may be hazardous air pollutants. She suggests that Glade's disclosed ingredients, while believed to be safe, may not include certain chemicals at lower concentrations, which could be of greater concern.
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Frequently asked questions
Glade candles contain a proprietary wax blend, which is a film former that creates a protective coating or shine on a surface. They also contain octabenzone, a stabilizer that acts as a UV light absorber to prevent fading and maintain the colour of the candle. Other ingredients include dyes, fragrances, and Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), an antioxidant that helps maintain the properties and performance of the candle when exposed to air.
Fragrance information is notoriously difficult to obtain as companies often purchase fragrances from outside fragrance houses, which closely guard their formulas. The FDA does not require companies to disclose their fragrance formulas as these can be considered trade secrets.
While Glade has disclosed the ingredients in its candles, some experts have voiced concerns about the potential health effects of the chemicals used. It is important to note that the word "fragrance" can mean several hundred different chemicals, some of which may be hazardous air pollutants, including known carcinogens, reproductive toxins, and neurotoxins. However, the chemicals disclosed by Glade are believed to be safe for humans at the concentrations used.
