When I started making candles in 2020, phthalate-free was not a phrase most people had heard in the context of home fragrance. It is becoming more widely understood now, but there is still a lot of confusion about what it actually means and whether it matters.
It matters. Here is why.
What are phthalates?
Phthalates (pronounced tha-lates) are a group of chemical compounds used primarily as plasticisers. They make plastics more flexible and durable. In fragrance, they serve a different purpose: they help scent compounds bind together and throw further when heated. This makes them useful from a manufacturing perspective, but their safety profile is a genuine concern.
Phthalates are endocrine disruptors. That means they interfere with the hormone system. Research has linked repeated phthalate exposure to reproductive issues, developmental problems in children, and disruption of the thyroid. They are absorbed through the skin, ingested and inhaled.
When you burn a candle containing phthalates in a fragrance oil, you are heating those chemicals and releasing them into the air you breathe in your home.
Why are they in candles?
Because they are cheap and effective. Fragrance oils formulated with phthalates have a stronger initial scent throw and are easier to blend. They are the industry default because they work well from a purely commercial standpoint.
The alternative is to formulate fragrance oils without them, which requires more careful blending and is more expensive. Most large-scale candle manufacturers do not bother. Even some brands that market themselves as natural or clean continue to use phthalate-containing fragrance oils.
What the research actually says
The evidence on phthalate harm in candles specifically is mixed, largely because it is hard to isolate candle use as a single variable in long-term health studies. However, the broader evidence on phthalate exposure as an endocrine disruptor is substantial and has led to regulatory action across multiple industries.
The EU has banned or restricted several specific phthalates in cosmetics and children's products. IFRA (the International Fragrance Association), which is the body that sets fragrance safety standards, has tightened its guidelines on fragrance ingredients significantly in recent years.
Our position is that if there is meaningful evidence of harm and a viable alternative exists, the alternative is the only sensible choice. All of our fragrance oils are IFRA-compliant and formulated without phthalates, parabens or hormone-disrupting ingredients.
How to spot phthalates on a candle label
This is where it gets frustrating. Candle manufacturers in the UK are not legally required to disclose the full ingredients of their fragrance oils. You will rarely see phthalates listed on a candle label because the fragrance is typically listed simply as fragrance or parfum, which is a catch-all that can contain dozens of individual compounds.
The most reliable way to know is to buy from brands that explicitly state their fragrance oils are phthalate-free and back it up with IFRA compliance certificates or clear ingredient sourcing policies. If a brand is not transparent about their fragrance ingredients, assume they are using standard industry formulations.
It is not just about phthalates
Phthalates are the most well-known concern in candle fragrance, but they are not the only one. Parabens, synthetic musks and certain aromatic hydrocarbons are also present in fragrance blends from less careful manufacturers.
Coconut wax itself is part of the answer too. Paraffin wax, which is still the most common candle wax, is a petroleum by-product that releases soot and potentially harmful compounds when burned. Coconut wax burns cleaner and cooler, produces significantly less soot, and holds fragrance effectively without requiring the same level of chemical additives.
Wax melts and diffusers too
Everything we make uses the same phthalate-free fragrance oil standard. Our botanical wax melts, reed diffusers, room mists and mist diffuser oils are all formulated without phthalates, parabens or other endocrine-disrupting ingredients.
Frequently asked questions
Are all natural candles phthalate-free?
No. Natural wax, such as coconut or soy, does not automatically mean the fragrance oils are phthalate-free. A candle can be made with natural wax and still use fragrance containing phthalates. Always check that both the wax and the fragrance are clearly stated as phthalate-free.
Are phthalates banned in UK candles?
Certain specific phthalates are restricted under UK and EU regulations, particularly in products that come into direct skin contact. However, comprehensive mandatory disclosure of fragrance ingredients in candles is not currently required, which means phthalates can be present in candle fragrance oils without being declared on the label.
How do I know if my candle contains phthalates?
If the brand does not explicitly state their fragrance oils are phthalate-free, you cannot know for certain from the label alone. Contact the brand directly and ask for their IFRA compliance documentation and fragrance ingredient disclosure. A reputable brand will be able to provide this.
What is IFRA compliance?
IFRA is the International Fragrance Association. They publish guidelines on safe fragrance ingredient levels based on toxicological research. IFRA-compliant fragrance oils have been formulated to meet these safety standards. Our fragrance oils are fully IFRA-compliant.
Do phthalate-free candles smell as good?
Yes. The adjustment is in the formulation, not in the quality or strength of the scent. Some phthalate-free candles have a slightly different scent profile to their conventional equivalents, but with good formulation the difference is not noticeable in the finished product.
