Crafting with Confidence: Decoding Our Fragrance Oil Formulations
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Selecting the right fragrance oils is the foundation of crafting candles that are not only beautiful but also safe and ethical. Using this guide, you can steer clear of ingredients like parabens, phthalates, PEG, and silicone, while also supporting vegan and cruelty-free choices. Taking time to check Safety Data Sheets and stay updated with the latest regulations helps you make choices that fit your brand values and meet customer needs.
By prioritising transparency and ingredient awareness, you can offer scents your customers love with confidence—showing you care about their wellbeing and the standards shaping our industry.
Table Of Contents
Understanding Fragrance Oil Formulations And Why They Matter For Your Candle Making What are phthalates, and are our fragrance oils phthalate-free? CMR substances: What you need to know about our fragrance oil approach What are CMRs? Which of our oils contain CMRs? Finished product safety Parabens In Fragrance Oils: The Facts And Our Product Standards PEG And Silicone: Their Role In Fragrance Oils And Our Commitment Our PEG-free and silicone-free promise Animal Testing, Vegan Standards, And Cruelty-Free Fragrance Oils How To Check Safety Information For Your Selected Fragrance Oil FAQs
Understanding Fragrance Oil Formulations And Why They Matter For Your Candle Making
Knowing what’s in your fragrance oils is key—not just for how your candles perform, but also for the safety of anyone who burns or uses them. Some people prefer to avoid certain substances for health reasons or because they have specific ethical, vegan, or environmentally friendly requirements.
Understanding exactly what’s in your oils gives you the confidence to select the best fit for your brand and your customers. Ingredient transparency enables you to create products that are not only enjoyable but also mindful of health and ethical considerations at every step.
What Are Phthalates? Are Our Fragrance Oils Phthalate-Free?
Phthalates are a group of chemicals commonly used to soften plastics or as solvents in various products, including fragrances and personal care products.
It is important to note, however, that there are two main types of phthalates.
Phthalate Esters, also known as plasticisers, are used to make plastics flexible without compromising their strength. These types of phthalates have been linked to health concerns, so we ensure our fragrance oil packaging is phthalate-free. It's crucial to understand that these differ from those used in fragrance oils.
Diethyl Phthalate (DEP) is another type, serving as a solvent to enhance the aromatic strength of fragrance oils. When used at safe levels, DEP has been deemed non-toxic in skin products and candles.
Phthalates often face criticism because their safety varies, causing confusion. Although some are safe, they are usually grouped together, leading many to avoid them entirely. As a result, more candle makers and scent enthusiasts opt for phthalate-free options that match their health-conscious values.
At NI Candle Supplies, we prioritise safety and transparency. We stock a wide range of phthalate-free oils and are continually expanding this range.
We also have a section on our website dedicated to phthalate-free oils that do not require a UFI of up to 10%. So if avoiding phthalates is key for your projects, we've got you covered!
CMR Substances: What You Need To Know About Our Fragrance Oil Approach
Understanding CMR substances is essential for anyone making scented candles, wax melts, or bath and body products. Here, we explain what CMRs are, which of our fragrance oils might contain these substances, and what this all means for the safety of your finished products.
What are CMRs?
CMR stands for Carcinogenic, Mutagenic, or Reprotoxic substances, a set of terms defined by European chemical regulations. These are chemicals that may cause cancer (carcinogens), alter genetic material (mutagens), or impact reproductive health (reprotoxins). Due to the potential risks, CMR substances are strictly regulated—especially in products that people come into contact with or use regularly, such as candles, wax melts, or soap.
Many fragrance oils on the market are formulated to prevent triggering CMR warnings when used at recommended levels in finished products. Still, it’s essential for candle and soap makers to be aware of the safety of raw materials, as regulations continue to evolve and guidance changes over time.
Which of our oils contain CMRs?
We believe in providing clear formulation information and closely monitor any updates to CMR classifications in fragrance oil formulations. From our entire fragrance lineup, only four oils have CMR triggers in their concentrated (neat) form:
As long as you use the correct personal protective equipment (gloves, safety glasses, and an apron) while working with these oils, the risk remains quite minimal.
Finished product safety
Here’s some good news: none of our oils, including those listed above, trigger CMR concerns in the finished product — assuming you use them according to the recommended guidelines. This means the candles, wax melts, reed diffusers, and other scented crafts you make with our oils remain a safe choice for home use.
Once again, we always suggest checking the safety data sheet (SDS) of the oil you are interested in before purchasing, as the governing regulations change from time to time, and this may alter which oils are classified as containing CMR substances.
The codes to look out for are H340, H341, H350, H351, H360, and H361. Any oil that triggers the Professional User box on our site is worth checking for these hazard statements. Still, it is worth noting that of the 32 oils in our range that trigger the Professional User box, only 4 of these are triggered by CMR materials being used in the oil.
Parabens In Fragrance Oils: The Facts And Our Product Standards
Parabens are a type of preservative used in many cosmetics and personal care items to keep products fresh and free from bacteria or mould. However, concerns have grown about parabens and their potential link to hormone disruption or skin irritation, especially for people with sensitivities.
We make it a priority to keep all of our fragrance oils paraben-free at NI Candle Supplies.
This choice aligns with our commitment to providing high-quality, clean candle supplies that you can use with confidence. By offering paraben-free options, we enable you to create candles, wax melts, soaps, and other cosmetic products that are safer and more suitable for sensitive skin.
PEG And Silicone: Their Role In Fragrance Oils And Our Commitment
Many candle and soap makers come across terms like PEG and silicone when exploring fragrance oil options. Knowing what these ingredients are and how they affect your products empowers you to choose with confidence.
What is PEG?
PEG, or Polyethylene Glycol, is a synthetic compound commonly used in personal care products and fragrance oils. It acts as a solvent or emulsifier, helping oils blend smoothly with wax, water, or other bases. While PEG is widely found in many products, some people prefer to steer clear of it due to concerns about skin irritation or its manufactured origins.
PEG-free fragrance oils have become a priority for makers and customers seeking more natural and gentle formulations. This approach supports clearer product labelling and meets the needs of creators who want every ingredient to be as straightforward as possible.
What is silicone?
Silicone is another synthetic ingredient well known in cosmetics and body care, and it sometimes appears in fragrance oils. Its silky texture and ability to form a protective barrier make it useful for helping aromas spread evenly in wax or other bases.
However, some makers and end-users avoid silicone due to sensitivities, concerns about its long-term presence in the environment, or simply a preference for biodegradable options. Products advertised as silicone-free are especially attractive for those seeking fewer synthetic additives in their candles, wax melts, or bath bombs.
Our PEG-free and silicone-free promise
At NI Candle Supplies, we take ingredient transparency seriously. We are happy to confirm that none of our fragrances contain PEG or silicone.
Armed with the knowledge above about our fragrance formulations, you can create vegan, cruelty-free, and skin-considerate products that your customers will appreciate.
Our ongoing commitment to PEG-free and silicone-free fragrance oils supports your standards for safer candle making, soap making, or personal care products—and helps you build trust with every creation.
Animal Testing, Vegan Standards, And Cruelty-Free Fragrance Oils
Ethical choices matter more than ever in candle making these days, especially when it comes to the ingredients and testing methods behind fragrance oils.
At NI Candle Supplies, we know you want to create products you’re genuinely proud of, so we make sure our supplies measure up in every way—not just on scent, but on integrity too.
None of our fragrance oils are tested on animals. We only partner with suppliers who provide clear certification that their oils are cruelty-free from development right through to production. You get peace of mind knowing your creations align with values that matter.
If vegan standards are on your mind, you’re in good company. All our fragrance oils are made without any animal-derived ingredients. So, whether you’re crafting candles, wax melts, or body products, you can offer options that fit a vegan lifestyle.
Here’s what our customers value most:
- No animal testing at any point
- No animal-based ingredients in our oils
- Certification or statements to confirm vegan and cruelty-free status
Products Featured In This Blog
How To Check Safety Information For Your Selected Fragrance Oil
Making sure you have the right safety information is an essential part of the candle-making process. Ingredient regulations and product classifications can change over time, so keeping up to date protects you and those enjoying your finished candles.
The best way to check the safety details of any fragrance oil is to consult its Safety Data Sheet (SDS). The SDS provides everything you need to know, including potential hazards, allergen content, safe handling advice, and details on whether the oil is free from phthalates, parabens, PEG, silicone, or CMRs.
Before you place an order, we recommend you:
- Download the latest SDS for your chosen fragrance oil directly from our website or the supplier’s page.
- Check for recent updates regarding CMR status or ingredient changes.
- Contact NI Candle Supplies if you have any questions about ethical certifications, vegan standards, or ingredient transparency.
FAQs
How can I check the safety information for a fragrance oil?
You can download the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for any fragrance oil directly from our website. This document provides essential information about potential hazards, allergen content, and ingredient transparency.
What’s a UFI number?
The Unique Formula Identifier (UFI) number is crucial as it provides specific information about the chemical composition of the fragrance oil. This number can help healthcare professionals understand the ingredients and potential allergens in the product, making it easier to guide treatment should you or a customer have a reaction to a specific oil. Read more about UFIs here.
NI Candle Supplies specialises in high-quality candle-making materials, offering a diverse range of waxes, wicks, and fragrances. Committed to inspiring creativity, we provide resources for beginners and seasoned artisans. Our mission is to empower candle makers with quality products and expert guidance, fostering a vibrant community of enthusiasts who share a passion for craftsmanship and creativity.
