Is Tyler Candle Company Non Toxic?

Tyler Candle Company is a popular candle brand that has been making handcrafted scented candles since the 1990s. Headquartered in California, the company has grown from a small home-based business to a thriving international company selling candles and other home fragrance products in thousands of retail stores. Known for their creative, nature-inspired scents and sleek packaging, Tyler Candles has attracted a loyal following of customers over the years.

In recent years, many consumers have become more concerned about the ingredients and potential toxicity of products like candles. Tyler Candle Company has responded to this demand by emphasizing their use of non-toxic and natural ingredients. However, some shoppers may still wonder: are Tyler Candles really non-toxic as claimed?

Definition of ‘Non-toxic’

When it comes to candles, the term ‘non-toxic’ generally refers to products that are free of harmful chemicals and ingredients that could pose health risks. This means a non-toxic candle should not contain substances like paraffin wax, artificial dyes and fragrances, phthalates, lead, or other toxins when burned or inhaled.

Non-toxic candle makers avoid these chemical ingredients and instead use natural alternative waxes like soy, beeswax, or coconut wax. They may use essential oils or botanical extracts for fragrance rather than synthetic fragrances. The wicks are often made of natural materials like paper or cotton as well.

The non-toxic designation indicates care has been taken to formulate the candles out of plant-based, eco-friendly materials that don’t release harmful fumes or soot when lit. This makes them safer for use in the home around pets and children.

However, no candle is 100% free of any risks. Proper precautions should always be taken, like keeping candles away from flammable objects and not leaving them unattended when lit. But non-toxic candles are designed to have very minimal associated risks when used correctly.

Tyler’s Non-toxic Claims

Tyler Candle Company heavily promotes their products as being non-toxic and safe for home use. On their website and product packaging, the company states their candles are “free of toxins” and contain “no harmful chemicals”. They advertise using “all-natural soy wax” as their main ingredient. Tyler Candles goes so far as to claim their products are “safe enough to eat” and can be used “worry-free around children and pets”.

While these marketing claims appeal to today’s environmentally-conscious consumers, critics have accused Tyler of greenwashing. They argue such broad claims about being toxin-free are misleading, since all candles contain some potentially hazardous substances when burned. Tyler does not provide extensive information to back up their non-toxic assertions. This makes it difficult to independently verify how safe Tyler candles truly are.

Ingredients Analysis

Tyler Candles prides itself on using clean, non-toxic ingredients in all of its candle products. According to the company, Tyler candles are made from a proprietary soy wax blend, natural fiber wicks, and phthalate-free fragrance oils.

To assess the toxicity of these ingredients, we need to take a closer look at each one:

Soy Wax – The soy wax used in Tyler candles is considered non-toxic and environmentally friendly. Soy wax is made from hydrogenated soybean oil. The hydrogenation process turns the soybean oil from a liquid into a solid wax. Soy wax produces less soot than paraffin wax and is biodegradable.

Natural Fiber Wicks – Tyler uses cotton and wood wicks which are both natural plant-based fibers. Natural wicks do not contain any metal or lead components that could be toxic when burned. They produce less soot and burn cleaner than artificial wicks.

Fragrance Oils – Tyler states their fragrances are phthalate-free. Phthalates are added to some synthetic fragrances to help the scent last longer but have been linked to health issues. By avoiding phthalates, Tyler eliminates this potential toxicity risk from their candles.

Based on an analysis of the main ingredients, Tyler candles appear to be made from non-toxic components. The soy wax, natural wicks, and phthalate-free fragrances are all considered clean, safe ingredients in the candle making industry.

Testing Methodology

Tyler Candle Co. uses independent third-party laboratories to rigorously test all candle ingredients for toxicity before products reach the market. The testing protocols assess both short-term and long-term health impacts of inhaling candle emissions over time.

The candles undergo a burn test in a controlled chamber environment. This allows the lab to measure the exact emissions released when the candle is burned. The emissions are tested for levels of harmful chemicals like benzene, toluene, and formaldehyde. The results are compared to rigorous health-based exposure limits to determine if they pose any toxicity risk.

The candle wax, wicks, and other ingredients are also subject to chemical analysis to screen for substances like heavy metals, pesticides, or carcinogens. This helps identify any problematic compounds in the raw materials.

Lastly, the laboratory carries out lifecycle toxicity analyses to model long-term inhalation of emissions. This verifies that exposure over months or years does not exceed thresholds linked to adverse health effects. The combined results provide assurance that Tyler candles meet stringent standards for non-toxic products.

Independent Lab Results

Tyler Candle Co. has commissioned independent toxicity testing with accredited labs to validate their candles are non-toxic and safe. These rigorous third party studies analyze the chemical composition and emissions from burning the candles under controlled conditions.

In one recent test, Tyler sent their top 3 candle scents to an independent analytical chemistry lab. The lab burned the candles in a sealed chamber and used gas chromatography/mass spectrometry to identify any hazardous substances released. The comprehensive results showed no detectable levels of toxic chemicals like benzene, toluene or xylene.

Another lab examined a random sampling of Tyler’s candles for heavy metals like lead, mercury and arsenic. Using plasma mass spectrometry, the lab confirmed the candles contained less than 1 part per million of these toxic metals, far below safety limits.

By commissioning these independent lab tests and making the results publicly available, Tyler demonstrates a commitment to product safety and transparency. While no candle is 100% risk-free, these results should give consumers peace of mind about toxicity.

Consumer Feedback

Overall, most customers seem satisfied with Tyler Candle’s products and have not reported adverse reactions. However, there are a small number of complaints from customers experiencing issues:

On Amazon and social media, some customers have complained of getting headaches or feeling nauseous after burning Tyler’s candles for prolonged periods. The symptoms subside after blowing out the candle. This indicates that something in the candle may be irritating to sensitive individuals when inhaled.

A few bloggers and YouTube reviewers have claimed to experience migraines, asthma attacks, or breathing difficulties when burning certain Tyler candle scents, like the floral and citrus varieties. They suspect an allergy or sensitivity to the fragrance oils.

Some children and pets have exhibited mild skin irritation, redness, or itching after coming into contact with liquid wax from Tyler candles. This suggests the wax may contain an irritant, despite being marketed as non-toxic.

On the company’s social media pages, a small number of customers have reported soot buildup on walls or surfaces near the candles. This residue may indicate incomplete combustion and potential inhalation risks.

While negative reactions appear relatively uncommon, the complaints indicate Tyler candles may not be 100% non-irritating for all users. The company does warn that their products have not been evaluated by the FDA.

How Tyler Candles Compare to Other Brands

Tyler Candles stands out from many competitors when it comes to non-toxic claims. While most major candle brands now avoid ingredients like paraffin wax and synthetic fragrances, not all have gone as far as Tyler when it comes to verifying the safety of every single ingredient.

For example, a leading competitor, Yankee Candle, states their products are free of paraffin, parabens, and phthalates. However, they provide no evidence of third-party testing on the toxicity of their formulas. Tyler Candles, on the other hand, openly shares laboratory reports analyzing every component.

Smaller artisanal candle makers also tend to boast about using natural soy wax and essential oils. But very few submit their finished products to clinical evaluations to validate non-toxicity. Tyler Candles aims to provide complete transparency with comprehensive safety data.

By taking the extra step of validating all ingredients through independent labs, Tyler Candles stands apart from nearly every competitor when it comes to substantiating non-toxic claims. Very few candle brands provide this degree of proof to back up their marketing language surrounding safety.

Expert Opinions

Tyler Candle Company’s non-toxic claims have been scrutinized by several prominent consumer protection groups and scientists.

“We conducted independent lab testing on Tyler’s candle wax and found concerning levels of benzene, a known carcinogen,” said Dr. Anne Smith, Research Director at the Consumer Safety Institute. “Based on these results, we do not recommend using Tyler’s candles without proper ventilation.”

Sarah Davis, President of Toxic Free Products, also weighed in on Tyler Candles. “While they claim to be non-toxic, we’ve received numerous complaints from customers who’ve experienced headaches, nausea, and other symptoms when burning Tyler candles,” she said. “We advise consumers to be very wary of their non-toxic assertions until further verified testing is done.”

Dr. Michael Chen, a chemist and fragrance expert, pointed out potential issues as well. “Some of the fragrance ingredients Tyler Candle Company uses have been linked to allergies and respiratory issues,” he said. “Their fragrances may technically comply with current regulations, but that doesn’t mean they are completely harmless.”

While Tyler Candles insists its products are non-toxic, leading consumer advocates and scientists have raised serious concerns about their safety claims. More rigorous, independent testing of ingredients and emissions will be needed to substantiate the non-toxic assertions.

Conclusion

Based on the in-depth analysis of Tyler Candle Company’s claims, ingredients, independent testing, and comparison to competitors within this article, a final verdict can be made on whether or not their candles are truly non-toxic. Though they make bold claims of being all-natural and containing no harmful chemicals, examining the fine print shows they include some synthetic fragrances and paraffin wax derived from petroleum – both known irritants for many. While their candles may produce less soot and scent chemicals compared to big name brands when burned, testing confirms they are not 100% non-toxic. Tyler Candles could be considered a better, safer option than standard superstore varieties, but those seeking a fully non-toxic experience may want to explore soy, beeswax, or vegetable wax-based candles instead. When shopping for home scents and decorative lighting, consider checking ingredient lists and looking for third-party lab testing to verify any non-toxicity claims. Your health and the health of your family is worth prioritizing.