Why Natural Soy Candles Are Better for You

There’s just something cozy about having a candle lit at home. The glow, the delightful aroma and the dancing flame just make you want to curl up on the couch and never leave.

But what if you knew that candle was putting harmful chemicals into the environment — directly into the air that you’re breathing in your own home? Many candles you find in stores are paraffin, which is made from the residue leftover from oil refining. 

While this may seem like a good way to reuse waste, it’s not good for your health. According to HowStuffWorks, soot from paraffin candles includes probable carcinogens toluene and benzene, as well as other toxic chemicals including methyl ethyl ketone and naphthalene. 

But before you start swearing off candles, we have a healthy (and just as cozy) solution: soy candles.

Soy candles are made from soybeans, a renewable source grown by farmers around the world. According to LiveStrong, soy wax burns cleaner than paraffin wax, creating less soot to collect on surfaces in your home.

Soy wax is also longer lasting than most paraffin waxes, meaning your candle will burn for more hours and you’ll need a new one less often.

If you’re worried that a soy candle won’t give you as great of a scent, it’s actually just the opposite. While it will of course depend on the quality and other specific ingredients in your candle, soy candles can actually have a better scent than their paraffin counterparts.

According to LiveStrong, this is because soy wax does an excellent job holding the scent from essential oils, which are 100 percent natural and healthy and can have an incredible aroma. 

Now that you’re ready to restock your home with candles that are safe and healthy for your family and home, here are some for each season to help you get started:

Winter into Spring: Lavender and Cedar is the perfect transitional scent to take you from chilly winter mornings to delightful spring afternoons.

Spring: Clean Breeze is the scent you long for when your spring cleaning is done, the windows are open and you feel ready to take on the world. 

Spring into Summer: Sea Salt and Orchid puts you in spring break mode with thoughts of summer days at the pool.

Summer: Coconut Lime Verbena is the peak summertime, lazy pool day scent. Margarita, anyone?

Summer into Fall: Farmstand Apples will make you crave apple pies and a trip to the orchard.

Fall: Autumn Colors is the epitome of the season.

Fall into Winter: Cinnamon Doughnuts is best enjoyed with a treat in hand.  

Winter: Hansel & Gretel’s House is a delicious holiday scent with hints of gingerbread and vanilla.