What Does Phthalate-Free Mean?

With every light of a beautifully handcrafted TLC candle, your health is a top priority. Every moment of TLC “me time” should not be tainted with health risks that come along with the array of harmful substances and chemicals that are put into many of the candles on the market today. TLC wants you to leave your moments of “me time” with a snuff of a candle and not a second thought about whether or not what you have chosen to burn inside your home is healthy. This is why, TLC crafts their elegant candles with phthalate-free fragrances – to keep the health of those who support TLC above all else.

To begin, what exactly are phthalates and what does it mean when TLC says that they use phthalate-free fragrances? Phthalates are esters of phthalic acid, or in more mundane terms, they are referred to as “plasticizers” and make regular plastic products more flexible. This is the most common form of a phthalate that we see largely within the market, however, the main offender within candles is the phthalate used within fragrance oils. Diethyl Phthalate, or DEP, are phthalate solvents that are put into the oils of candles to help in extending the aromatic strength of the candle by acting as a binding agent. Normally, which phthalates have been inserted into products, it is not deliberately listed-or the insertion of phthalates are simply not mentioned at all- and is most likely a mix of many phthalates together.

So why exactly are phthalates bad for consumers? In 2014, the CDC finalized their review over phthalates and wrote about their findings concerning the substance that was being found across the US market in a wide array of products. The main concern with phthalates is the vast spectrum of health concerns they have been linked to these chemicals; including, but not limited to, asthma, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, breast cancer, obesity, type II diabetes, neurodevelopmental issues, autism, and reproductive development issues. Phthalates were also found to be increasingly more harmful for women and young children than anyone else. Simple low exposure to phthalates will most likely not cause harm, but continued and high exposure to these chemicals is what is concerning. Phthalates come in many different forms, and although not all have been tested, enough phthalates within the chemical class that are used regularly have been found harmful, to ultimately cause the CDC to urge companies to stray away from the use of phthalates within their products.

Even with these findings, phthalates are still widely used in products marketed towards consumers as it normally increases durability of the product and is much cheaper. However, TLC is a luxury candle brand that is willing to spend extra money to ensure that the candles being labeled with the TLC logo, are the highest quality of product that can be produced. Thus, TLC chose to develop all of their intoxicating scents with phthalate-free fragrance oils so TLC can be comfortable and confident in the integrity of their products every time a candle is shipped out. TLC markets their candles as being the key to your perfect moments of “me time” that will keep you grounded and healthy within life; which is why, TLC is committed to provide you with phthalate-free products that will continue making your moments of “me time” the most beneficial and healthy they can be.

-Kenzington Baxter, Guest Writer