You see "natural" on a lot of scented candles. You may also see "sustainable". Both words sound good, but they do not mean the same thing. Here is how to read a label on natural scented candles, and which question tells you the most.
Natural Scented Candles: What The Label Can Tell You
"Natural" is a loose word on a candle. A maker can use it for the wax, the scent or just the look of the jar. It does not tell you how the ingredients were grown or sourced. For that you need a second question. Ask what the wax is, and where it comes from.
Why does palm wax come up so often?
Palm wax comes from palm oil, and palm oil is the reason a certification standard exists. The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil, or RSPO, is a group that sets standards for certified sustainable palm oil. A candle may carry its logo. The logo alone does not say how much of the wax has a certificate.
Four RSPO Claims, And What Each One Promises
RSPO uses four supply chain models. Its own statement explains them. Only the first two guarantee certified palm oil in the product.
- Identity Preserved: the maker keeps certified oil from one source apart throughout.
- Segregated: the maker keeps certified oil from several sources apart from other oil.
- Mass Balance: the maker mixes certified oil with ordinary oil along the way.
- Book and Claim: the maker buys a certificate, not certified oil.
With Mass Balance and Book and Claim, the maker can say it supports certified production. The oil in the jar may not carry a certificate. That is a fair claim, but a different one.
What To Check Before You Trust A Claim
Look for plain words. A good label names the wax, such as soy, palm or a blend. It names the standard, not just a logo. If it says RSPO, it should say which model.
The same goes for scent. A fruity candle and a woody candle can both use the same wax. The wax claim stays the same whichever scent you choose from the Fruity range or any other.
The Glow page for the Refillable range describes a premium soy wax blend. If you want more detail on any candle, ask. A good seller will answer.
Quick answers
Does natural mean a candle is better for the planet?
Not by itself. Natural is a loose word on candles. Look for the wax type, where it comes from and any named standard, then judge from there.
Is RSPO certified palm wax always fully certified?
No. Only the Identity Preserved and Segregated models guarantee certified oil in the product. Mass Balance and Book and Claim support certified production without that guarantee.
Whatever wax you choose, burning the whole candle wastes the least. Have a look at the candle range when you are ready, and read the label with these questions in mind.
Related reading
- Soy Wax Scented Candles: What Sustainable Really Means: a closer look at soy wax and sourcing.
- Eco Friendly Scented Candles: Finish Your Last Jar First: simple ways to waste less wax and glass.
- Candle Scent Oil Explained: Natural Doesn't Mean Safer: why natural scent is not always the safer choice.
