These fragrances were most likely obtained by seeping the leaves and petals of plants into olive oil to create a perfumed emollient. In the late 19th century, advances in chemistry opened the door to the chemical perfumes we know today. The costliness of plant essential oils motivated chemists to mimic naturally occurring scents with chemical formulas. These less-expensive chemical perfumes quickly made their way into almost every household product from laundry detergent and dish soap to facial crèmes and candles.  Because of the external nature of these products, the FDA does not require them to list the fragrances used. In fact, many of these products have added fragrances that are not listed on their labels or, for personal use products, are listed only as “fragrance” in theingredient column. But in the search for green and organic alternatives, the debacle behind these chemical fragrances is finally being brought to light.  In 1986, The National Academy of Sciences reported that 95% of chemicals used in synthetic and chemical fragrances are derived from petroleum and include carcinogenic materials. Many of these chemicals can have adverse side effects including cancer, birth defects, headaches and dizziness. To further support this startling conclusion, the EPA released a separate study in 2001 reporting that synthetic and chemical fragrances were shown to cause “possible mutagenic and genotoxic effects.” And the fact that manufacturers are not required to disclose exactly what goes into their fragrances means the consumer will never know if that fragrance contains carcinogenic petroleum or not.

The petroleum nature of most chemical fragrances is particularly important in the world of scented candles. When a candle is melted, everything that goes into that candle is converted into fumes that infuse the air and subsequently fills your lungs. A lighted candle can change the ambiance of any room and fill the air with reminiscent aromas such as citrus, cinnamon, or the all-time favorite lavender. Candle fragrances, based in petroleum and designed to mimic nature, often cause headaches, but the sought - after ambiance created by a lit candle keeps these small luxuries in our homes, on our gift lists, and in our family traditions.  The natural alternative to chemical fragrances is pure essential oils. Essential oils come from plants, making these ingredients naturally renewable, sustainable, and earth-friendly. Additionally, essential oils have aromatherapy properties that have been used for thousands of years to increase health and well-being. So by choosing only 100% essential oil fragrances, you can eliminate harmful chemicals and add natural aromatherapy at the same time.  Companies trying to capitalize on the green revolution may use partial essential oils so they can say that their item is “made with essential oils” but never tell you the exact amount or whether the fragrances is 100% essential oil or a blend. As consumers concerned about health and about the environment, we should seek out candles that use only 100% essential oils.

For these reasons, BsaB Candles only uses only 100% essential oils with aromatherapy properties to fragrance their candles. The result of 100% essential oils mixed with 100% non-GMO soy wax is a beautiful home accent that can change the mood of any room. Additionally, using aromatherapy essential oils means you can choose your candle based on what mood you would like to create or what personal relief (such as stress-relief or comfort) you would like to experience.
The organic movement that is enriching the lives of individuals throughout the earth has assisted fragrances in coming full circle. Returning to essential oils means we are returning to our roots—literally.