I can spend hours in the candle section of department stores, I sniff them all, appreciate the colors, labels and wish I had come up with some of their witty names.
But after reading a few dozen mommy blogs and a few serious researches, I simply can't buy them anymore.
What is bad about them? Apparently EVERYTHING, the wax, wick, scents and colors:
"Most candles are made of paraffin wax, which creates highly toxic benzene and toluene when burned (both are known carcinogens). In fact, the toxins released from paraffin candles are the same as those found in diesel fuel fumes. On top of that, many scented candles also have wicks that contain heavy metals like lead, and even a few hours of burning them can create levels of airborne heavy metals that are much higher than the acceptable limits. In the US, candle wicks are supposed to be made of cotton or paper, but studies have found that as much as 30% of candles contain heavy metals in the wicks." source
Beeswax candles are the way to go:
"Beeswax releases negative ions when it burns. Pollen, dust, dirt, pollutants, and any other junk in the air all carry a positive charge, and that is how they can be suspended in the air. The negative ions released from burning beeswax negate the positive charge of air contaminants, and the neutralized ions are sucked back into the burning candle or fall to the ground. Many air purifiers and water filters harness this effective negative ion technology."source
Since they can be quite expensive and SUPER easy to make, this project is right down my alley. #nomarthastewart
I found this recipe for Beeswax and Coconut Oil Candles and decided to incorporate myAndiroba Oil for its mosquito repellent properties and Buriti to add some color to a couple of them. If you want a super detailed, perfect DIY recipe go somewhere else, this one is the fast track, "they will come out ok", "I am no Martha Stewart" recipe.
I get my wax here, about 8 bucks for a pound, the owner told he will give discounts for larger quantities, since this whole "organic beeswax" is a bunch of baloney, I try to at least stick with raw beeswax.
I bought Dr. Bronners Whole Kernel Unrefined Coconut Oil because it is organic and also fair trade, but any virgin coconut oil will do.
Wicks come in sizes, and people recommend them to be square braided cotton, I got some organic cotton ones on eBay but I have no idea how they were braided!
Chart:
Wick size #1 = Candle diameter of 1 – 1.5″
Wick size #2 = Candle diameter of 1.5 – 2″
Wick size #3 = Candle diameter of of 2 – 2.5″
Wick size #4 = Candle diameter of 2.5 – 2.8″
Wick size #6 = Candle diameter of 2.8 – 3.2″
Wick size #7 = Candle diameter of 3.2 – 3.5"
I had 4 of those cute small glass jars leftover from my Pies in a Jar, you can also use molds. To fill them up I would need 24 oz of mix, half beeswax, half oils.
So:
12 oz. of Beeswax
7 oz. of Coconut Oil
4 oz of Andiroba Oil
1 oz. Buriti Oil
STEP 1 - cut the wick a few inches longer than the container/mold.
STEP 2 - melt all the wax in a glass jar dipped in a pot with water on low to medium heat. I had to use 2 jars.
STEP 3 - dip the wicks in the wax when it starts melting - try not to burn your fingers like I did. Straighten then and set them on wax paper, I didn't have it so I used aluminum foil. It was ok.
STEP 4 - after they are dry and stiff. roll the end of the wicks around a piece of wood, a pen, anything that will sit flat on top of your jars.
STEP 5 - Mix the oils in the melted wax, it will cause part of the wax to solidify again, you can always heat the oils a bit, but I was too lazy for that. Wait until the mix is all melted again. I used the Buriti in just one jar. I was really expecting it to get redder (more red?)
STEP 6 - Pour just a little bit of the wax and set your wick down, make sure it is centered and touches the bottom.
STEP 7 - Once it is solid and the wick firm in place, fill up with the rest of the wax. If your container is too big, do it in 2 steps, so the wax won't melt the bottom wax and displace the wick.
The darker one is the one with buriti, but as soon as it got cold and solid it became pretty yellow, no much different than the non-buriti one.
Observations:
I added no scents, since I have read that even essential oils can be toxic when burning, but it is something that I will let you research, please don't add artificial scents, you will be ruining the whole point of making beeswax candles!
Some people let the candles rest for 24 hours, I didn't (of course) but I am happy to say they did burn ok and I am pretty happy with the results.
In the world of cosmetics, stearic acid is used to form a stable base for deodorants, lotions, and creams. It helps to bind and thicken the products so they adhere smoothly to the skin and have a longer shelf life. The fact that the melting point of this acid is well above human body temperature tends to prevent cosmetics from running and streaking when applied for extended periods. - Source.
The most common and accepted use of lauric acid is in products designed to cleanse the skin and hair, such as facial cleansers, body washes, shower gels and shampoos. If lauric acid is mixed with sodium hydroxide or lye, it forms sodium laurate, one of the most common types of bar soaps.
Lauric acid is sometimes recommended for the treatment of cold sores and fever blisters on the lips and is included in some topical products designed to treat outbreaks of these conditions. Cold sores and fever blisters are caused by viruses, which do not respond to antibiotics. Studies suggest that lauric acid breaks down the oily cellular membranes of viral cells similarly to the way the fatty acid disrupts the shape of oil molecules on the skin or scalp. The breakdown of the viral cells results in their death, allowing cold sores and fever blisters to heal more quickly.
Studies have also found that lauric acid may have the ability to destroy other microbes that have oily components in their cellular makeup. Evidence suggests that lauric acid may make an effective treatment for ringworm, a circular, itchy skin rash caused by an overgrowth of fungus. The fatty acid may also be beneficial for skin rashes on the underarms, groin and feet that are caused by yeast.
A newer potential use for lauric acid involves addressing blemish prone skin. Questions as to whether or not the ingredient could be useful for controlling acne breakouts were first raised by a study completed in 2009, which found that the substance had the potential to destroy a type of bacteria known as P. acnes.
Acne blemishes often arise due to the colonization of P. acnes bacteria in the pores, which leads to infections and inflammation. If lauric acid truly can eliminate P. acnes, the fatty acid could be a beneficial alternative to topical antibiotics. - Source.
Palmitic Acid is is one of the most common saturated fatty acids and it is one of the most prevalent saturated fatty acids in body lipids. In aging skin levels of palmitic acid can decrease by as much as 56% (source)
It is found in both animals and plants, primarily from the oil of palm trees. It is most often seen as an ingredient in detergents, soaps and cleaning products, and as a surfactant, although it is used in beauty products and cosmetics for a variety of properties, including as a fragrance ingredient; opacifying agent; surfactant; cleansing agent; emulsifying agent; and emollient (CosmeticsInfo.org and Wikipedia). Palmitic Acid is approved for use up to 13% and is not considered a primary or cumulative irritant, nor sensitizer, although it does create foam and can be drying. - Source.
Linoleic Acid is a polyunsaturated fatty acid and is part of the Omega 6 fatty acids, found in many vegetable oils, especially safflower and sunflower oils. It occurs naturally in the body, and deficiencies lead to dry hair, hair loss, and poor wound healing. It is no surprise then that Linoleic Acid is often used as an ingredient in beauty products for the treatment of these same problems. It is used as an emulsifier, and in the making of soaps and quick-drying oils; it is also used as for its anti-inflammatory, acne reduction, and moisture retention properties.
According to research, as a fatty acid, Linoleic Acid helps to maintain the health of cell membranes, improve nutrient use, and establish and control cellular metabolism. It also produces prostaglandins, which stimulate circulation via vasodilatation and strengthen the body’s natural defenses, suppressing inflammation; it may help with the treatment of atopic eczema. A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition assessed the effects of a combination of Linoleic Acid and Vitamin C on over 30,000 people and saw a marked improvement in senile dryness (as a result of aging) and skin atrophy (thinness). - Source.
Oils and butters containing oleic acid tend to be very moisturizing and regenerating to our skin. They often offer anti-inflammatory properties and some, like olive oil, mimic our natural sebum. They tend to be absorbed well by the skin, which offers softening and moisturizing effects.
Oils high in oleic acid will go rancid far less quickly than those high in linoleic or linolenic acids - notice the single double bond - so they might be better choices for creations you want to last a long time. - Source.
Acai Berry Oil - 52%
Andiroba Oil - 49%
Bacaba - 60%
Buriti Oil - 70%
Brazil nut - 47%
Pracaxi - 44%
Pataua - 77%
Tucuma Oil - 65%
Cupuacu Butter - 43%
Oil with the least amount of Oleic Fatty Acid: Sacha Inchi - 10%
It has a variety of uses in the beauty industry, including as a: Fragrance Ingredient; Opacifying Agent; Surfactant; Cleansing Agent; and Emulsifier. One of its primary properties is as a lubricant, due to its high rate of absorption by the skin. -Source.
How to tell the difference? Lets look at this table below.
The acids with 00 after the first number are SATURATED, they have no double bonds. They make a thicker oil or harder butter that goes rancid very slowly.
The acids with 10, 20 or 30 after the first number are UNSATURATED, they have 1 or more double bonds. they make a thinner oil that goes rancid more easily.
Monounsaturated are the acids with 10 after the first number, they have just one double bond, and Polyunsaturated are the ones with 20 or higher, meaning 2 or more double bonds.
Looking at the Cupuacu Butter fatty acid composition we can see it has 5 saturated and 4 unsaturated acids. But with almost half of it - 42.95% being the monounsaturated - OLEIC - 18:10.
We are bombarded with many different artificial scents all day long. Cleaning and personal hygiene products, air fresheners, candles, bathroom sprays, they all have scents that can be harmful to the human body. They cause problems that can go from allergies and asthma to cancer and birth defects.
"It is estimated that 95% of the synthetic fragrances on the market today are derived from petroleum by-products. Trademarked scent is protected by the law as a "trade secret". These types of protected fragrances are not required to list the concoction of chemicals on the product label. They are only required to list the term "fragrance"." - Natural News
I know that we are all suckers for a different delicious smell, but there are many ways you can surround yourself with all, or at least mostly, natural scents.
Store bought wax melts are usually made of paraffin wax and scented with artificial fragrances, neither are the things you want burn in your house.
A great alternative is spending 20 minutes making your own wax melts.
My favorite recipe also happens to be insect repellent.
Melt the wax in glass jar inside a pot of water, when it is totally melted add the Andiroba and the essential oils.
I strip my tea candles and use the metal cup as molds (you will need 5 for this recipe), pour the mixture very carefully into each one, after they are cold and hardened I take them out and put the candles back in! No waste!!
You can use an entire piece or cut them in half or quarters.
EDIT: Oh well... Just read this and it makes sense:
"Interestingly, essential oils are not safe options for candle fragrances, either. A soy or beeswax candle scented with essential oils will release toxins, since combustion changes the molecular structure of these oils."
