The Truth About Your Candle Habit – From Krystyna, Founder of Parkminster

There’s nothing quite like lighting a scented candle. I always love that moment — striking the match, watching the flame flicker, and letting the scent fill the room. It’s one of those small rituals that can make a day feel a little calmer and a little more indulgent. Whether it’s a luxury brand or a supermarket dupe, that comforting sensation is universal. But, as this MSN article points out, there’s more to think about than just how lovely a candle smells.

I’ve spent years crafting natural scented candles, and I’m passionate about making them safe, sustainable, and enjoyable. The article rightly highlights that burning candles releases tiny particles into the air — PM2.5 and ultrafine particles — which can reach deep into the lungs. In the MSN article Professor Christian Pfrang from the University of Birmingham calls a candle “effectively a small combustion source with an open flame.” Just like a fireplace or a gas hob, it produces carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and other pollutants, especially if the flame burns unevenly. That’s why you sometimes see soot around a candle jar.

That’s also why I chose soy wax instead of paraffin wax for all Parkminster candles. Soy wax burns cleaner, produces less soot, and emits far fewer pollutants than paraffin. I want our customers to be confident that when they light one of our candles, they’re not filling their homes with harmful chemicals. Small changes, like burning candles in a well-ventilated room — even just opening a window — can make a huge difference to air quality, while letting the fragrance circulate fully.

Fragrance is another area where care matters. Burning any scented candle releases volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and cheap candles often combine paraffin wax with artificial fragrances that can include formaldehyde, benzene, and toluene. I always aim for botanical, essential-oil-based blends wherever possible. When an essential oil isn’t environmentally viable, I choose high-quality fragrance oils that are still safe and sustainable. That way, our candles smell beautiful without unnecessary toxins.

The MSN article also talks about cost, and I want to be honest here. Many candles on the market are either cheap and disappointing or ridiculously expensive. At Parkminster, we’ve always priced our candles and reed diffusers with customers in mind. I want you to feel confident lighting your candle whenever you like, without worrying about the cost or wasting it. Fair pricing means you can enjoy the ritual, again and again, while still receiving a high-quality, handcrafted product.

I also like to give practical advice for a mindful candle habit:

• Ventilate your room — cross-ventilation helps remove pollutants and spreads the fragrance.

• Trim the wick to 5mm before lighting — this keeps the burn even and reduces soot.

• Extinguish carefully — using a candle snuffer rather than blowing it out keeps particles down.

• Avoid burning multiple candles in small, poorly ventilated spaces for long periods.

Candles are about more than fragrance. I always think of them as creating small, calming moments in our day — a cosy evening, a relaxing bath, or simply a sense of calm at home. By choosing soy wax, botanical fragrances, small candle brands, and following a few simple steps, you can continue your candle ritual safely, mindfully, and beautifully.

You can read more about the research behind candle safety in the original MSN article here. But rest assured, with the right candle and a little awareness, lighting a candle can be one of life’s simplest joys — and completely safe.

With warm regards,
Krystyna
Founder, Parkminster