All Natural Is Not Always
What You Think It Is
Most people won't question something if they don't believe there is a reason to.
There is a great deal of deception in the candle industry. An all too common practice that demonstrates this perfectly is the idea of greenwashing. Greenwashing is when a company falsely claims to be environmentally friendly to attract eco-conscious consumers.
This can involve exaggerated or misleading statements about a product's sustainability, environmental benefits, or eco-friendly practices.
Common examples include vague claims, irrelevant labels, or promoting minor green initiatives to overshadow more significant environmental harm.
As a result, the term 'All Natural" is used very loosely, often masquerading an umbrella of hidden toxins and chemicals. I suppose it depends on how you define "all natural." Existing in nature? Existing in nature, without modification by humans? Composed of ingredients existing in nature?
Unfortunately, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines and regulations for candle makers are limited. So manufacturers are able to say just about anything they want and market their candles as "All Natural." It then becomes more about perceptions and feelings than about reality.
Greenwashing undermines genuine efforts to promote health, wellness and sustainability. This can mislead consumers who are trying to make better choices.
Below are some examples of the most commonly used candle waxes and ingredients that are key victims of greenwashing. This is not an exhaustive list of offenders.
Soy Wax
Marketed as 'All Natural' since the 90's, soy wax is commonly extracted from genetically modified soybeans. It is also sprayed with pesticides and sometimes mixed with undisclosed waxes for texture, such as paraffin wax, bleached and deodorized.
Synthetic Fragrance
Often falls under the term 'fragrance' or a catchy name describing the scent. Synthetic fragrances not only contain allergens and neurotoxins that affect the immune system and nervous system but they also possess no aromatherapy value.
Synthetic Dye
Synthetic dyes emit dangerous Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde, petroleum distillates and esters. Exposure can cause headaches, nausea, respiratory issues and damage to the nervous system.
Synthetic Beeswax
This is not talked about enough. Made from petroleum, synthetic beeswax is designed to be generally indistinguishable from all natural beeswax. It is often used in place of or mixed in with it's all natural counterpart.