Fragrance, Fear, and the Truth About Candles: A Maker's Perspective

May 23rd, 2025

When most people hear “fragrance,” they immediately think of department store perfumes, headache-inducing candles, or skincare reactions that left them red and itchy for days. In the holistic and “clean living” community, fragrance has practically become a dirty word — but I’m here to gently challenge that narrative.

Well, that depends. The word "fragrance" has become a catch-all for everything from synthetic perfume oils to nature-derived aromatic compounds — and that’s where things get confusing.

Yes, many conventional fragrance oils used in candles and cosmetics contain phthalates, carcinogens, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals. But there’s a whole other category of fragrance that’s often left out of the conversation: plant-based, non-toxic fragrance oils that are paraben-free, phthalate-free, and carcinogen-free. These blends are created using naturally derived aroma molecules that are safe for both people and pets.

That’s what we use here at The Hidden Spinach Apothecary.

As a consumer, I used to be wary of any product that listed “fragrance” in the ingredients. Now, as a candle maker, I understand why that word is used — and how it’s protected under trade secrecy laws.

Many small makers, myself included, work with fragrance ateliers to develop custom blends or handcraft our own using rare and beautiful combinations. Disclosing every chemical component might sound good on paper, but it also opens the door for copycats to duplicate months of hard work. That said, we still believe in transparency. That’s why we list every key note and ingredient category for our candles, even if we can’t disclose the entire proprietary formula.

We love a good dupe — but we don't want our candle creations to become one.

Here’s a hot take: Essential oils aren’t always the safer option.

In fact, they can be downright dangerous if misused:

• Highly concentrated and can burn skin if not properly diluted

• Toxic to pets, especially cats and birds

• Unregulated — not all oils are created equal (we only use therapeutic-grade oils when we use them at all)

We live in a house with 3 dogs, 3 cats, and 4 ducks. Their safety comes first, and that’s why we often avoid essential oils in candles altogether.

Let’s not conflate the two. The 1996 paper that first sparked widespread fragrance concern focused on cosmetic contact dermatitis — a skin reaction from leave-on beauty products (source). Since then, skincare and beauty brands have leaned into “fragrance-free” and “clean” marketing — and rightfully so! If you’re applying something to your skin, it should be gentle and free of unnecessary irritants.

But candles? You’re not rubbing wax on your face.

Candles are meant to scent a room, not your body. So while it’s important to avoid toxic ingredients, there’s no need to fear every chemical you can’t pronounce. For example:

Citral — a bright, lemony note found in many of our blends — is a monoterpene made of two isoprene units (geranial and neral). It naturally occurs in essential oils from plants like lemon balm, lemongrass, and verbena. Safe. Familiar. Science-backed.

We believe you deserve a candle that:

• Smells magical ✨

• Honors your wellness goals 🌱

• Won’t harm your pets 🐾

• Isn’t full of fillers or synthetic junk 🚫

That’s why our candles are made with:

• 100% soy wax

• Biodegradable, plant-based fragrance

• No phthalates, no carcinogens, no parabens

• And always hand-poured with care.

Because the truth is — you can have both beauty and safety. We’ll always keep the “crunchy” integrity, just without the fear.

Final Thoughts ❤️

Fragrance fear isn’t unfounded — but it’s also not the whole story. Just like not all food additives are bad, not all fragrance is harmful. Let’s shift the conversation from “chemical = bad” to “what’s in it, and why?”

And if you’re ever unsure, just ask us. We’re happy to share how and why we craft our scents the way we do — with both intention and transparency

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