Are Good Chemistry Candles Clean?

Good Chemistry is a company that makes scented candles using predominantly natural ingredients like soy wax and essential oils, said to be safer and healthier. Their candles claim more delicate, pure-burning fragrances and don’t emit the sooty black smoke associated with regular paraffin wax candles. Good Chemistry believes in elevating the standards in home fragrance with their clean, sustainable and non-toxic scent experiences. They claim their candles contain no paraffin, no phthalates, no sulfates, no synthetic dyes, and no lead wicks.

Clean Burning Claims

Candle manufacturers often claim their candles burn “clean” or are “non-toxic.” This refers to the smoke and scent emitted when burning the candle. Certain ingredients like paraffin wax or artificial fragrances can release compounds like acetone, benzene, toluene, and formaldehyde when burned, which are considered hazardous air pollutants [1]. Manufacturers of candles marketed as “clean burning” assert their products do not release these compounds or pollute the air with dangerous chemicals when lit. Instead, they promote their candles as having natural, non-toxic ingredients that provide a clean burn.

For example, the clean beauty brand Good Chemistry claims their candles use natural soy wax, cotton wicks and essential oil fragrances that “burn cleanly” and “free of toxins” [2]. Brands that advertise clean burning candles try to position their products as healthier, safer options that don’t degrade indoor air quality.

Ingredients

According to Good Chemistry’s website, their candles contain fragrance oils, soy wax, essential oils, and other natural ingredients. The fragrance oils are blends of both natural and synthetic materials, including essential oils. They avoid ingredients like parabens, propylene glycol, phthalates, and paraffin wax. Specific products like their Coconut + Chill Reusable Glass Candle are made without parabens, propylene glycol, phthalates, paraffin, and are cruelty-free (source). Their biodegradable candle refills also contain soy wax and avoid parabens, phthalates, propylene glycol, and paraffin (source).

Fragrance Oils

Fragrance oils are synthetic scents commonly used in candles and air fresheners to produce pleasant aromas. While providing enjoyable scents, studies show fragrance oils can negatively impact indoor air quality in several ways:

Fragrance oil molecules are volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that evaporate into the air. High VOC levels have been associated with irritated eyes, nose and throat, headaches, nausea, and breathing issues in sensitive individuals. Fragrance oil VOCs react with ozone to produce formaldehyde, a known human carcinogen.

Furthermore, studies indicate fragrance oil droplets may remain suspended in air for hours after diffusion, allowing inhalation deep into lungs. These oils contain hundreds of synthetic compounds with unknown toxicity profiles and health effects.

While fragranced products promise to improve air quality, research shows fragrance oil emissions often worsen overall indoor air quality and introduce new pollutants. Limiting fragrance oil use can help reduce health risks.

Paraffin Wax

Paraffin wax is a common ingredient in many candles. It is derived from petroleum and is relatively inexpensive. Some concerns have been raised about potential health effects from burning paraffin candles. However, according to a 2007 study funded by the National Candle Association, no reputable scientific study has shown paraffin wax to be harmful to human health when used in candles (source).

A study published in the Journal of Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology also found that scented paraffin candles did not pose health risks under normal use conditions (source). Paraffin wax meets the FDA’s requirements for use in candles and other consumer products. While some people may prefer to use non-paraffin waxes for personal reasons, there is no strong scientific evidence that paraffin wax candles are dangerous. Proper ventilation when burning any candle is recommended.

Soy Wax

Soy wax has become a popular alternative to paraffin wax for candle making. Soy wax is made from hydrogenated soybean oil and was introduced in the 1990s as a renewable and natural wax option (Soy vs Paraffin).

Some of the pros of using soy wax include:

• It’s made from a renewable resource
• It’s biodegradable
• It has a lower melting point so doesn’t get as hot
• It may produce less soot

However, there are also some downsides to soy wax:

• It’s more expensive than paraffin wax
• It can be more difficult to work with due to fragrances causing frosting
• The lower melting point means candles may not retain their shape in warm environments
• The burn time may be shorter than paraffin candles

Overall, soy wax is considered a good option for consumers looking for a natural and sustainable candle, but it has some tradeoffs versus paraffin in terms of performance and cost (Soy vs Paraffin). Many candle makers use a blend of soy and paraffin to achieve the ideal properties.

Essential Oils

Some candle makers add essential oils to their candles for purported aromatherapy benefits. Essential oils like lavender, chamomile, and bergamot are commonly added for their calming and relaxing properties, while oils like peppermint, rosemary, and eucalyptus are added for invigorating effects [1]. Diffusing essential oils or enjoying scented candles with essential oils can help relieve stress and anxiety, and promote better sleep [2][3].

However, there are some drawbacks to adding essential oils to candles. The high heat can degrade some of the aromatic compounds in essential oils, reducing their effectiveness. Certain essential oils like citrus, pine, and cinnamon are also more flammable and can create potential fire hazards if used improperly in candles. Essential oils can also make the wax more prone to sweating or frosting on the glass container [1]. So they require careful testing and wick adjustments. Overall, essential oils can provide nice aromatherapy benefits but need to be used judiciously in candle making.

Testing Methodologies

There are several standard lab tests used to measure the emissions from burning candles. One common test is ASTM F2326, the “Standard Test Method for Collection and Analysis of Visible Emissions from Candles” (ASTM International, 2021). This test uses a fume hood to capture and measure smoke emissions during candle burning. Another lab analysis technique is to burn candles in a sealed test chamber and use gas chromatography and mass spectrometry to identify and quantify volatile organic compounds and particulate emissions (Salthammer, 2021).

Specific emission studies have compared paraffin, soy, palm, beeswax, and other candle waxes. One study by Air et al. burned reference candles in a testing chamber and measured emissions including VOCs, carbonyls, PAHs, and particulates (Air, 2007). The results provide quantitative emission data to compare the clean burning properties of different candle waxes and fragrances.

Study Results

A recent study published in 2021 by Rasmussen et. al analyzed emissions from five different types of pillar candles when burned under steady conditions. The researchers found that paraffin wax candles emitted higher quantities of ultrafine particles compared to other wax types like soy and beeswax (Rasmussen et. al, 2021). According to the findings, paraffin wax candles released up to 10 times more ultrafine particles than soy wax or beeswax candles.

Another study conducted in 2021 by Salthammer examined both particulate and gaseous emissions from various candle types. They discovered that paraffin wax candles produced formaldehyde emissions at higher rates compared to other wax candles. Soy wax and beeswax candles had lower formaldehyde emission rates (Salthammer, 2021).

Overall, the research indicates that soy wax and beeswax candles tend to have fewer particulate and VOC emissions compared to paraffin wax candles when burned under standard conditions. However, more studies are needed to conclusively compare emission levels across all candle wax types.

Conclusions

Based on the in-depth look at the ingredients in so-called “clean burning” candles, the evidence shows that not all candles marketed this way actually live up to the claim. While some companies use natural soy wax and pure essential oils to create eco-friendly candles, many mainstream brands still rely heavily on synthetic fragrances and paraffin wax. The emissions testing proves that paraffin candles pollute indoor air at a much higher level compared to soy candles. However, testing also shows that synthetic fragrances have the ability to negate the benefits of natural wax. This demonstrates the importance of verifying all ingredients rather than just trusting a “clean burning” label claim.

In conclusion, for a candle to truly burn clean without releasing harmful chemicals, it must be made of natural soy, beeswax, or other plant-based wax, and scented only with pure essential oils extracted from plants. Consumers should research brands thoroughly and look for products certified by reputable eco-friendly organizations. While more expensive, these natural soy and vegetable wax candles avoid the soot and toxins released by paraffin and synthetic fragrances. For those concerned about indoor air quality and exposure to hazardous chemicals, paying extra for certified clean burning candles is a worthwhile investment.