Often, I’m asked why my candles are a little more expensive than regular candles. The straightforward answer to this is, we do not use petroleum-based wax. Ahloki uses a healthy blend of locally sourced rapeseed and soy wax. So why have we chosen to use both soy and rapeseed wax in our candles? What are the benefits of these ways as opposed to paraffin? The short answer is – the formulation of the two results in an efficient, non-toxic, clean burn.
Paraffin Wax
For a long time, paraffin wax was considered the most favourable and popular wax to use in the production of scented candles due to its low cost and benefits like, easy to dye and deep scent throw when combined with fragrances. However, even though paraffin wax comes from a natural product (coal or shale gas, crude oil), it is the leading cause of indoor air pollution. When petroleum-based waxes burn, they produce harmful volatile (carcinogenic polycyclic) hydrocarbons. And, release airborne chemicals like acetaldehyde, formaldehyde, xylenes, toluene and benzene.
Recent research and studies have revealed that inhaling these harmful organic carbons can aggravate underlying health issues, such as respiratory conditions, asthma, bronchitis, lung diseases, and lung cancers. Another investigation carried out by Stanford University, discovered that Toluene and Benzene released from petroleum-based candles are cancer-causing agents, and when exposed to high levels of toluene specifically, induces DNA strand break downs which affect the central nervous system.
For paraffin wax to work well as candle wax, it is processed with additives like vybar (used to aid fragrance retention and enhancing dye colour), microcrystalline (used as a viscosity builder) and parabens (often used as a preservative). Parabens are believed to disrupt hormone function and have been linked to breast cancer. Sometimes, paraffin wax is also treated with bleach to whiten its colour.
All waxes (plant, animal, petroleum) are principally hydrocarbons. They all burn to produce some form of soot; this is the particulates formed due to incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fumes. However, paraffin wax, is a petroleum derivative, can be compared to soot released from a diesel engine. Sometimes known as petro-carbon soot can be harmful to your body when inhaled and is an indoor pollutant. Some cheaper candles do not use cotton wicks and use metal wicks wrapped in cotton, combined with paraffin wax, can produce a more harmful toxic soot.
Sustainability
Similarly, what makes each wax different is its environmental impact caused due to sustainability. Paraffin wax is a by-product created when crude oil is refined into petroleum, and It is the most commonly used wax in candles. Soy wax is an all-natural wax. It is biodegradable. When soy wax burns, it has relatively no net release of carbon. Rapeseed wax is also biodegradable and has a carbon-neutral burn. Both waxes can be unforgiving to work with, but when a right balance is struck, it can produce a fabulous wax for candles with a natural creamy ivory white colour.
For this reason, Ahloki candles do not use any Petroleum/paraffin/kerosene derived ingredients. Ahloki was founded on the basis to offer an alternative cleaner candle, that uses a more sustainable wax, ensuring your candle burns clean, safe, toxic-free, whilst reducing our carbon footprint. Ahloki’s candle wax is made solely from a blend of plant-based waxes. A unique formulation of rapeseed and soy wax. Using a combination of rapeseed and soy wax gives us the results we want to see in a candle. Our candle burns efficiently and effectively with a clean burn, a great scent throw, no smoke and soot. But overall, a wax that traces back little waste and delivers excellent value to our customers, with longer burn time.
Rapeseed and Soy Wax
Both rapeseed oil and soy wax are free from any animal products and are therefore an incredibly environmentally friendly option for chandlers. Unlike paraffin wax, rapeseed and soy wax does not produce harmful toxins. It is perfect for candle making because it is not hazardous to humans or animals, which is of importance with the growing demand for vegan and vegetarian products across the world. Rapeseed wax has many benefits. Rapeseed is locally grown in many parts of England. This reduces our carbon footprint by opting for a wax that is local, green, clean, sustainable and guess what? Bees love it too. The growth of rapeseed produces flowers that support the ecosystem by providing a natural food source for bees, which have seen a general decline in numbers over the last few years. The crop can also be grown year after year so is highly renewable without depleting the soil quality and since it is produced in the UK, we can easily trace it back to it sources. The rapeseed oil is extracted through a process called cold pressing. Cold pressing is a straightforward traditional method of producing oil. The seed is pressed at a low temperature.
Soy wax is a vegetable wax made from the oil of soybeans. After they are harvested, the beans are cleaned, cracked, de-hulled, and rolled into flakes. The oil is then extracted from the flakes and hydrogenated. The hydrogenation process converts some of the fatty acids in the oil from unsaturated to saturated. The left-over bean husks are used as animal feed.
The technical benefits of soy and rapeseed candles are the low temperature in which they burn; the fragrance gently evaporates when lit, which means the aroma lingers around for longer, giving overall greater value for money. The burn is both clean and lengthy and free from harmful chemicals. High retention of essential oils these waxes offer an excellent scent throw. And as a bonus, any wax spills can be easily cleaned with hot water and soap, due to its biodegradability, there is little to no damage from any accidental spills!
Overall Benefits
Ahloki uses trusted ethical suppliers both locally and from Europe for both soy and rapeseed wax, who grow the plants free from genetic modifications. Sustainability and conservation stand at the forefront of Ahloki’s ethos. By using rapeseed and soy, there is no need to cut down trees, ruin rain-forests, deplete natural resources, or use non-biodegradable materials. By using this alternative, we not only reduce our carbon footprint but ensure the product is safe to use in your homes and secure to the environment. We put the health of our customers first and we are strong advocates for the renewable eco-conscious movement.
So, when you buy a candle from Ahloki, you can be rest assured, you are making a conscientious choice for both your health and the health of the environment.
The desire for more natural and eco-friendly substitutes to paraffin wax has seen the rise of alternatives such as soy and rapeseed oil candles. Customers are now becoming more aware of the harmful effect’s petroleum products have on the environment.
Ahloki’s collection of environmentally friendly fragranced candles is as sustainable as they are alluring. Enjoy a freedom from all the harmful effects a petroleum candle has in your home. As a brand, we strive for sustainability and put the protection of the environment at the heart of the brand’s philosophy.
