If you've ever shopped for candles, you've probably seen phrases like clean burning, non-toxic, or phthalate or paraben- free. But what do those claims actually mean? At Aroma & Flora, we believe you deserve to know exactly what you're bringing into your home. That's why we've chosen to make our candles with selected ingredients, and leave out the ones many people prefer to avoid.
Let's take a closer look at what that means.
What do we mean by "free from nasties"?
Our candles are made without:
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Petroleum-derived paraffin wax
Paraffin is the most commonly used candle wax in the world. It's inexpensive, widely available and holds fragrance well. However, paraffin is a by-product of the petroleum industry. In other words, it's derived from crude oil during the refining process. Many people choose to avoid petroleum-derived ingredients in skincare, cosmetics and household products, and candles are no exception. While paraffin candles remain popular, we wanted to create products using plant-based waxes instead.
- Phthalates
Phthalates are a group of chemicals that have been used in many industries for decades. In the fragrance industry, certain phthalates have historically been used to help fragrances last longer or improve their performance. Today, many fragrance manufacturers offer phthalate-free formulations in certain products. At the same time, some phthalates have been studied for their potential effects as endocrine disruptors, meaning they may interfere with the body's hormone system under certain conditions. Our candles are scented exclusively with essential oils, meaning we don't formulate our fragrances with phthalates.
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Parabens
Parabens are preservatives used to prevent mould, bacteria and yeast from growing in products that contain water. They're commonly found in products like lotions, shampoos, conditioners and cosmetics. Since candles don't contain water, parabens aren't typically needed in candle formulations. However, they may be present in some fragranced consumer products, which is why many people have become familiar with the term. Some parabens have also been studied because of concerns about their potential hormone-like activity, leading many consumers to seek paraben-free alternatives in their personal care products. Because Aroma & Flora products are formulated differently, our candles are completely free from parabens.
These are ingredients that many conscious consumers actively choose to avoid when selecting products for their homes. For us, creating a cleaner candle it's about intention. Renewable, plant-based alternatives better reflect our values. Our goal has always been to create products inspired by nature, and starting with a plant-based wax felt like the most natural choice. Safe to make, safe to use.
Why ingredient transparency matters
Many large scale manufactured candles are made using petroleum-derived wax, together with synthetic fragrance blends. While not every synthetic fragrance contains the same ingredients, some fragrance formulations may include compounds such as certain phthalates. This is one of the reasons ingredient transparency has become increasingly important to consumers looking to make more informed choices. At Aroma & Flora we chose a different path. Not an easy one, in fact, it's significantly more challenging. Natural ingredients require more testing, more patience and a much deeper understanding of how different materials work together.
But that's exactly what makes them so special.
Why should I prefer plant-based wax?
The wax in a candle does much more than simply hold fragrance. It affects how the candle burns, how it throws scent and how it becomes part of your ritual. That's why we work with 100% soy wax instead of paraffin. Every wax has its own personality, and choosing the right one is just as important as choosing the right essential oils.
Why we use essential oils
At Aroma & Flora, every candle begins with one question:
How do we want someone to feel?
Calm after a stressful day. Comforted on a rainy afternoon. Focused while working. Uplifted on a slow Sunday morning. That philosophy naturally led us to essential oils. Unlike synthetic fragrance oils, essential oils are highly concentrated aromatic extracts obtained directly from plants through methods such as steam distillation or cold pressing. Each drop captures the characteristic scent of the plant it comes from, carrying hundreds of naturally occurring aromatic compounds that give every oil its unique personality.
The Connection Between Essential Oils and Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is the practice of using natural essential oils to support physical and emotional wellbeing through the sense of smell. When you inhale an aroma, tiny scent molecules travel through the nose to the olfactory system, which has a direct connection to the limbic system, the area of the brain involved in emotions, memories and behaviour. This is why scent can be such a powerful experience. A single aroma can remind you of a childhood memory, make you think of someone you love, or instantly create a feeling of comfort. Many essential oils have been traditionally used to support relaxation, focus or create a more balanced atmosphere.
Choosing Better Doesn't Mean Giving Up Luxury
For a long time, luxury was associated with stronger fragrances, bigger statements and more of everything. We see luxury differently. The products we surround ourselves with should enhance those moments, not compete with them. That's why we don't believe a candle needs to overpower a room to feel luxurious. Instead, we focus on creating fragrances that feel elegant, balanced and intentional, scents that gently accompany your rituals rather than dominate them. Working with essential oils also means embracing the beauty of nature. Natural aromas are often softer, more layered and more complex than synthetic fragrances. They evolve as the candle burns, revealing different facets over time, creating an experience that feels alive rather than one-dimensional. For us, luxury isn't about excess. It's about craftsmanship. It's about carefully selecting every ingredient, spending countless hours testing each blend and creating products that we're genuinely proud to welcome into our own homes. Because true luxury isn't about having more. It's about choosing better.
Final Thoughts
From our plant-based wax to our carefully selected essential oils, every ingredient has been chosen to help create moments of calm, comfort and connection. Your home should be a sanctuary. A place where you can slow down, breathe deeply and reconnect with yourself after the noise of everyday life. Choosing a candle is about more than choosing a scent. It's choosing how you want your home to feel. It's choosing the atmosphere you create for yourself and the people you love. Our hope is that every Aroma & Flora candle becomes a small reminder to pause, romanticise the ordinary and find beauty in calm. Sometimes, feeling good starts with something as simple as lighting a candle.
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