Ben Carter
Candles are available in a wide range of colours, from soft pastels to rich jewel tones. While colour and fragrance are important factors influencing consumer purchasing decisions, they are linked to health concerns. Candles are often coloured using dyes and pigments, with dyes providing a translucent effect and pigments creating a solid wall of colour. Dyes are typically made from synthetic materials like coal tar or petroleum, which can release harmful chemicals when burned, including formaldehyde, benzene, and toluene. These chemicals are associated with respiratory issues, neurological damage, and cancer. To ensure safety, consumers should opt for candles made with natural materials like beeswax, soy wax, or coconut wax, and scented with essential oils rather than artificial fragrances. Proper ventilation is also crucial when burning candles to minimise the risk of exposure to toxic fumes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Colorants | Pigments, dyes, salts |
| Pigments | Microscopic, suspended color particles that create a solid wall of color |
| Dyes | Liquid, powder |
| Harmful chemicals | Benzene, toluene, formaldehyde, aromatic hydrocarbons, phthalates, lead |
| Safe alternatives | Natural materials like beeswax, soy wax, coconut wax, essential oils |
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What You'll Learn
Dyes and pigments
Candles are available in a wide range of colours, from soft pastels to rich jewel tones and metallics. The colour of a candle is the second most important factor (after fragrance) in influencing consumer purchasing decisions. Reputable candle manufacturers must carefully formulate their candles to achieve the desired colour while ensuring the candle burns properly and safely.
Candles are coloured using dyes and pigments. Dyes are used to colour a candle throughout, while pigments are used to coat the outside of a candle with colour. Dyes are available in both liquid and powder form and give the candlemaker a high degree of control over the shade. They are easily combustible and do not typically affect the burn performance of a candle. On the other hand, pigments are microscopic colour particles that create a solid wall of colour, similar to paint. They do not burn well and can clog wicks, so they are not suitable for candles meant to be burned.
Candle dyes are often made from synthetic materials such as coal tar or petroleum, which can release harmful chemicals when burned. These chemicals can include benzene and toluene, which are known carcinogens. To avoid these harmful chemicals, consumers should look for candles made with natural materials such as beeswax, soy wax, or coconut wax and avoid candles with synthetic fragrances or dyes.
The colour of a candle's wax can also indicate the presence of harmful chemicals. Vividly coloured waxes are often made with synthetic dyes that can release toxins when heated. Natural waxes like beeswax, soy wax, or coconut wax typically have more muted colours, such as shades of yellow, off-white, or cream. However, it is important to note that soy wax can sometimes be processed with paraffin and other petroleum-based chemicals without disclosure to the consumer. Therefore, consumers should always check the label for a detailed list of ingredients and be wary of candles that do not disclose their ingredients or process.
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Fragrance oils and artificial scents
Fragrance oils are a common way to add scent to coloured candles. They are synthetic or blended oils, manufactured in a laboratory, and designed to enhance the scent performance and versatility of candles. Fragrance oils are also more commonly used than essential oils as they are more user-friendly and have a longer-lasting scent throw.
When selecting a fragrance oil, it is important to consider the desired strength of the scent, the environment in which the candle will be used, and the compatibility of the oil with the candle's materials. For example, fragrance oils are designed to work with specific types of wax, such as paraffin or soy wax.
To maximise the scent throw in candles, it is recommended to heat the wax to the correct temperature before adding the fragrance oil. This ensures even distribution throughout the candle. Additionally, allowing the candles to cure for 24-48 hours can enhance the scent throw.
While fragrance oils are a popular choice for scented candles, it is worth noting that they may contain artificial chemicals that can be harmful. For example, scented candles have been found to release pollutants such as formaldehyde, CO2, and volatile organic compounds when burned indoors. These pollutants can contribute to indoor air pollution and have been linked to an increased risk of developing urothelial cancer with frequent and long-term use in inadequately ventilated rooms.
To minimise the potential health risks associated with scented candles, it is recommended to choose candles made from natural materials such as beeswax or soy wax and scented with essential oils rather than synthetic fragrances. Proper ventilation and airing of the space after burning scented candles can also help reduce exposure to chemical compounds.
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Paraffin wax
When making paraffin wax candles, it is important to heat the wax to 85°C (185°F) before adding the desired colour and fragrance. Liquid candle dye can be added at this stage, creating rich colours. However, caution is necessary as the dye can permanently stain surfaces. After adding the dye, fragrance oil is mixed in, and the wax is cooled to a pouring temperature of approximately 76.7°C (170°F).
While paraffin wax has been a popular choice for candles due to its affordability and clean-burning properties, there are potential health concerns associated with its use. Some studies have linked indoor burning of scented paraffin wax candles to increased levels of indoor pollution and the release of pollutants such as formaldehyde, CO2, and volatile organic compounds. These pollutants can be asthma and allergy irritants, and prolonged exposure may increase the risk of developing urothelial cancer. As a result, consumers are advised to choose candles made from natural materials, such as beeswax or soy wax, and to ensure proper ventilation when burning scented candles.
To summarise, paraffin wax is a widely used ingredient in coloured candles, offering advantages such as affordability and effective fragrance retention. However, health considerations have led to recommendations favouring natural alternatives to minimise potential exposure to harmful pollutants.
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Lead wicks
Candles are made from three basic ingredients: candle wax, candle wicks, and candle dye. While candle wicks are essential for the candle to burn, certain wicks, particularly those with lead cores, can be harmful to health.
Candle wicks are made from a variety of fibres and can have a metallic core to add support and help the wick stand straight. The most common candle wicks are made from cotton fibres, which are braided into a flat shape and then covered in wax. However, some wicks contain a metal core, which may be made from zinc or lead.
Lead-cored wicks can emit large amounts of lead into the air during burning, which can be inhaled by children, leading to lead poisoning. Lead poisoning in children is associated with behavioural problems, learning disabilities, hearing issues, and growth retardation. Lead can also settle on surfaces, which children may touch, leading to exposure. Even small amounts of lead can contribute to overall lead levels in the body.
Due to these health concerns, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in the United States banned the manufacturing, importing, and selling of candles with lead wicks in 2003. Safe alternatives to lead-cored wicks include zinc, synthetic fibres, cotton, and paper.
To test if a candle has a lead-cored wick, you can rub an ordinary piece of white paper on the tip of an unburnt wick. If it leaves a light grey, pencil-like mark, the wick contains lead.
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Natural alternatives
The use of scented candles has been linked to an increased risk of developing bladder cancer, especially when used frequently, for long durations, and in inadequately ventilated rooms. The indoor burning of scented candles can expose individuals to dangerous levels of organic pollutants, with pollutants such as formaldehyde, CO2, and volatile organic compounds being released in larger quantities than background levels.
To avoid these risks, it is recommended to opt for candles manufactured from natural materials and scented with essential oils rather than synthetic perfumes. Natural candles refer to those made from soy wax, palm wax, and beeswax, and are free from artificial ingredients and colors.
- Madder root for a light peach shade
- Alkanet root for a burgundy red shade
- Annatto seeds for a warm yellow shade
- Spirulina for a warm green hue
- Peppermint for a very light green shade
- Turmeric for a golden color
- Sunflower seeds for a deep purple shade
- Wild celery for a light yellow color
- St. John's Wort for red colors
- Ground lichen for orange
- Elder for blue colors
- Dried hibiscus flowers for a red color
- Coneflower and goldenrod for brown colors
- Cornflower and hyacinth for blue colors
- Fruits and vegetables, which can be mashed to create color
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Frequently asked questions
Coloured candles are made from candle wax, candle wicks and candle dyes. The dyes are often made from synthetic materials, such as coal tar or petroleum, which can release harmful chemicals when burned. These chemicals can cause respiratory problems, headaches and other health issues.
Some harmful chemicals found in coloured candles include formaldehyde, benzene, toluene and benzopyrene. These chemicals are known to cause cancer, respiratory problems and neurological damage.
Yes, there are coloured candles made from natural materials such as beeswax, soy wax or coconut wax. These candles are typically scented with essential oils rather than synthetic perfumes to reduce exposure to pollutants.
Check the colour of the wax. If it's a vivid colour, it's likely made with synthetic dyes that may contain harmful chemicals. Also, check the type of wax used. Candlemakers usually list the type of wax on the label, but if they don't disclose the ingredients, it's a cause for concern.
