The holiday season is upon us!
As you start giving some thought to hostess gifts, centerpieces, stocking stuffers, and tokens of love and thanks, I've got some words of wisdom to help keep your scented gifts toxin-free.
Reliable favorites in all categories often include deliciously scented goodies, from cinnamon candles to vanilla air fresheners to luscious lotions ~ the list goes on and on. The common denominator for all of these is the proverbial ‘fragrance’ ingredient. Familiar, evocative, tantalizing, who wouldn’t love a festively fragrant gift? I would, with one caveat; it has to be safe. What people often don’t realize is that “fragrance” or “parfum” are catchall terms for the fragrance industry’s trade secret chemical cocktails.
I'm all for cocktails ~ fruity ones, straight on the rocks, you name it. But chemical ones? No thanks!
Most candles, perfumes, and air fresheners come laden with synthetic musks and hormone disrupting chemical culprits like phthalates, which can lead to fertility problems in both men and women, among other concerns. In fact, fragrances have been found to contain an average of 14 toxic chemicals from allergens to neurotoxins and everything in between.
So what’s a hostess to do? You’d like to create the perfect ambiance for your holiday fêtes, but also want to make sure you’re not compromising safety for scenting. Not to worry.
Here are some simple tips to staying fragrance safe.
First, toss most traditional candles from brands you’ll find in every discount shop since the ingredient lists often read like a who’s who of top offenders. Instead, choose higher quality, all natural options with pure ingredients that will fill your home with delicate aromas, minus the toxins.
For example, I'm indulging in one-of-a-kind, hand poured and pigmented pillars and votives from rareEARTH. Every candle is created using materials sourced from the earth: GMO-free soy wax from farms in the Midwestern USA, natural mineral-based colors, all-cotton wicks, and real artisan-blended aromas from 100% pure essential oils, many coming directly from sustainable micro-distilleries
Not a fan of candles but looking for a delectable aromatic experience nonetheless? Try a 100% pure essential oil reed diffuser, another favorite of mine from rareEARTH. Hand-blown Italian glass bottles and beautiful quotes matching the energy of their signature blends make these scenting options true works of art for your home. And as a bonus, these blends contain absolutely no solvents, alcohol, petrochemicals, or phthalates.
Looking for something to grab and go, or save you in a pinch? Or maybe you just need to freshen up your home before guests come over. Forget the Febreze and try the Lavender Air & Linen spray from Haven. Formulated with twice-distilled witch hazel and citrus seed extract to help kill germs on surfaces and in the air, this non-toxic yet effective spray is great for homes with pets, kids and parties. Oh, and the bottles are as gorgeous as the scent!
As you may know from experience, the sense of smell is the most perceptive of the senses. Studies have shown that emotions are sparked by smell, which is linked to pleasure. The scent of a candle can create a lasting impression and evoke strong memories for years to come. So when creating memories with friends and loved ones this holiday, make sure they’re happy and healthy ones.
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Elizabeth Wasserman