Buzzword Breakdown Series | Crunchy Mama Candles Natural isn't automatically safer. We love essential oils - truly. But let’s get real: natural doesn’t automatically mean safe. The Essential Oil Trap Essential oils are powerful plant extracts. But in candles, that power can cause problems: Some release toxins  when burned at high temps. Others lose their scent  or burn unevenly. Certain oils (like clove, cinnamon, citrus) can trigger sensitivities . They’re wonderful for diffusers and skincare but not always candle-safe. The Smart Balance Candle making is chemistry, not guesswork. The safest approach is using tested fragrance blends  formulated to handle heat safely - often combining clean synthetics and essential oils. That’s how we create candles that smell amazing and  burn cleanly. The Crunchy Mama Truth At Crunchy Mama Candles , we sometimes use essential oils - but only when they’re stable and verified safe for candles. Our goal isn’t “all natural at any cost." It’s “clean, safe, and honest - always.” Learn more about our ingredient standards here .

Buzzword Breakdown Series | Crunchy Mama Candles "Pure fragrance oils" aren't a thing. You’ve seen it: “Made with pure fragrance oils .” Sounds professional, right? Except… that’s not a real thing. 😅 What Fragrance Oils Actually Are Fragrance oils are blends  - carefully crafted recipes combining natural and synthetic components. They include: Natural aromatic isolates  (like vanillin from vanilla beans) Synthetic aroma molecules  (safe, consistent, lab-created) Carriers or stabilizers  (for scent balance and safe burn) It’s not “impure” - it’s chemistry. Why “Pure Fragrance Oils” Is Misleading “Pure” implies single-source or natural - false. Fragrance oils are formulated products , not raw extracts. Safety and purity aren’t the same thing - clean formulation  is what matters. The Crunchy Mama Truth We only use IFRA-compliant, phthalate-free, paraben-free  fragrance oils sourced from trusted suppliers. We vet every single one using its SDS and IFRA certificates. If it doesn’t pass our safety standards, it doesn’t go in a candle. We’ll take integrity over buzzwords any day. Shop clean, safe, phthalate-free candles here .

Buzzword Breakdown Series | Crunchy Mama Candles Nontoxic doesn’t mean what you think. Let’s talk about one of the most overused words in the “clean living” world - nontoxic. You’ve seen it on everything: skincare, cleaning products, and especially candles. It sounds  safe. It feels  comforting. But here’s the reality most people don’t know - “nontoxic” isn’t regulated by anyone. That means anyone can put it on a label, whether it’s true or not. What “Nontoxic” Doesn’t  Mean It doesn’t mean the candle is phthalate-free or paraben-free. It doesn’t mean the ingredients are natural or safe when burned. And it definitely doesn’t mean the candle has been safety tested. In other words: “nontoxic” has become the glitter of marketing - it’s everywhere, and it sticks whether it belongs or not. What “Nontoxic” Should  Mean At Crunchy Mama Candles , when we say nontoxic , here’s what we actually mean: Phthalate-free  – no hormone disruptors. Paraben-free  – no cheap preservatives. Carcinogen-free and mutagen-free  – verified through each fragrance’s SDS sheet. We don’t rely on claims - we read the data. And if a customer ever wants to see the Safety Data Sheet? We’ll happily share it. Transparency is our standard. Why It Matters When you light a candle, you’re not just adding scent - you’re adding something to the air you breathe. Your home deserves ingredients that comfort, not compromise. At Crunchy Mama Candles , nontoxic  isn’t a trend - it’s our baseline. ✨ Browse our clean, nontoxic candle collections here .