Raise your hand if you currently have a Glade plug-in, Yankee candle, bottle of Febreeze, or a Bath and Body Works room spray in your home… Before I knew the dangers of these products, so did I. When you know better, you do better. There are so many amazing companies out there making safer products! But you’re probably thinking “wait Courtney, why can’t I have my Yankee candles??” Read on, my friend…

Did you know?

These chemicals may be in your candles, air fresheners, and plug-ins:

- Formaldehyde - Skin irritation, Eye irritation, Nose irritation, Throat irritation, Headaches, Runny nose, Nausea, Difficulty breathing, Wheezing, Asthma attacks, Chest pain, Sleeping disturbances, Irritability, and Impaired dexterity, memory, and equilibrium

- VOC's - eye, nose, and throat irritation; headaches and loss of coordination; nausea; and damage to the liver, kidneys, or central nervous system

- Lead - high blood pressure and brain, kidney, and reproductive health issues. Symptoms of lead poisoning include headaches, stomach cramps, constipation, muscle/joint pain, trouble sleeping, fatigue, irritability, in children, the dangers are far more serious

- Phthalates (usually not disclosed on ingredient lists) - reduces testosterone levels and leads to an array of male reproductive problems, pregnancy complications such as anaemia, toxaemia and pre-eclampsia, breast cancer, developmental issues, decreased fertility, obesity and asthma

- Petroleum/Paraffin (when heated, they release toluene and benzene into the air which are known carcinogens and can cause organ failure) - highly flammable, allergies, infections, different types of pneumonia, headaches, cancer, kidney damage, birth defects, nausea

- Fragrance/Parfum - respiratory, and systemic effects (e.g., headaches, asthma attacks, breathing difficulties, cardiovascular and neurological problems), cancer, harm to the reproductive system

- Benzene - Drowsiness, dizziness, headaches, vertigo, tremors, delirium, may impair fertility, Eye, skin, and respiratory tract irritation, vomiting, stomach irritation, convulsions, rapid heart rate

...and more!

Fragrance or Parfum

Fragrance or parfum might be the most dangerous ingredient of all... It seems harmless enough, but companies are not required to disclose what ingredients make up a fragrance, so they can literally hide any chemical or ingredient in there. Pretty scary, huh?

Basically a product can seem pretty darn clean but may include "fragrance"... The term "fragrance" can literally include more than 100 ingredients. Yikes!

Don't you think companies should be required to disclose what is in their "fragrance"??

Did you know?
Many (if not all) of these chemicals are known carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, and at the very least can cause respiratory issues and headaches. Also, just because you aren't having physical symptoms like runny nose, headache, or cough, doesn't mean they aren't still affecting you!

Fun fact: Many have been banned in many countries (EU, Japan, South Korea, Canada, even China). Why not the US? Good question.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR:

Candles:
- Look for wicks made out of wood or cotton (no metal)

- Look for beeswax, coconut or organic soy and avoid paraffin (a petroleum byproduct)

- Avoid the terms "fragrance" or "parfum"

- Look for scents from organic essential oils

- Look for phthalate-free candles

Air Fresheners:
- Avoid the terms "fragrance" or "parfum"

SAFER ALTERNATIVES:

Candles:
Bee Lucia
Wellness by Ari
Basic Bee Candle Co.
Fontana Candle Company
P.F. Candle Co.

(when in doubt, visit the "what to look for" slide and do a Google search)

Air Fresheners:
Essential oils with a diffuser (make sure they are pure, organic oils)
Grow Fragrance Room spray
Scent Fill plug-ins
Rowe Casa Room spray
Simmer spices/fruit peels on the stove (we’re talking cinnamon sticks, orange or lemon peel, etc.)

Are you ready to break-up with your toxic fragrance obsession? Just remember, take it slow and replace one thing at a time as you can afford it.

Here to help you live a less-toxic and beautiful life!

xx
CS