Can You Be Allergic to Soy Candles? Let’s Clear the Air
You’ve finally lit that delicious-smelling soy wax candle after a long day of Teams meetings, passive-aggressive emails and pretending to care about Q2 targets. But then… sniffles, sneezing or an itchy throat. Could it be… the candle?
Before you throw it out and light a scented resignation letter instead, let’s talk about soy candles and allergies. What’s in them, what might be irritating you and why it might not be the soy after all.
Rainbow soy wax candle
🟣 Soy Wax Itself is Rarely the Villain
Soy wax is made from hydrogenated soybean oil. Yep, like the stuff in your veggie burger. It’s a natural, plant-based alternative to paraffin wax, which is derived from petroleum. Good for your lungs, your conscience and your co-worker who just learned about carbon footprints.
Allergies to soy wax are incredibly rare. The refining process used to turn soybean oil into candle wax removes most of the protein compounds that typically trigger allergic reactions in people sensitive to soy as a food.
So if you can eat tofu without drama, the wax itself probably isn’t the issue.
What’s More Likely to Cause a Reaction?
Here’s where things get... scented.
1. Fragrance Oils
Some candles use synthetic fragrance oils. These can contain phthalates or other ingredients that irritate sensitive noses, skin or trigger headaches. If you're feeling stuffy, this might be your culprit.
🕯️ Pro Tip: Look for phthalate-free and IFRA-compliant fragrance oils. That is what I use in my workshops and candles because your nostrils deserve luxury and respect.
2. Essential Oils
Sounds natural, smells amazing, but essential oils can still cause allergic reactions, especially in enclosed spaces. Lavender, citrus, eucalyptus and peppermint are common culprits. Always sniff responsibly!
3. Wicks and Additives
Wicks made with metal cores or treated with chemicals can release irritants when burned. My candles? 100% cotton wicks, no drama, no heavy metals. Just clean burn energy (which we could all use after a week of inbox overload).
🟪 So, What Should You Do?
Check the label (if it doesn’t have one, run)
Burn candles in well-ventilated spaces
Try unscented soy candles to rule out fragrance sensitivities
If you are extra-sensitive, opt for candles scented with allergen-free or natural oils in very low concentrations
❓ Can You Be Allergic to Soy Candles?
Unlikely. It’s usually the fragrance, not the soy. And if your candle comes from The Scent of Burnout, we have already done the sniff-test so you don’t have to.
💜 Final Thoughts from a Burnt-Out BA Turned Candle Queen
Listen, life is stressful enough. Your candles shouldn’t add to the chaos.
That’s why I created The Scent of Burnout. Soy wax, clean ingredients, savage one-liners and a reminder that taking a break doesn’t require a permission slip from HR.
Go and light that candle. Breathe easy. And if you sneeze? Blame your boss.
