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When it comes to what we put in our bodies, inhaling is just as important as ingesting. This especially applies to the candles we burn. A quality candle not only means clean air, but also a clean conscience. If you're wondering what to look for in clean-burning, nontoxic candles, look no further than Charleston-based candle company, Scentervention.  Locally hand-poured in Charleston and inspired by a therapist, Scentervention candles really put the 'therapy' in aromatherapy. Liza McGilvery, owner and founder of Scentervention, is a licensed professional counselor who specializes in the treatment of trauma. Liza carefully crafts each scent so that the aromatherapeutic qualities of the candles correspond a quote on the label, inspired by her therapy clients. She also donates a portion of sales to organizations that help treat mental illness and advocate for the emotional well-being of others. We asked Liza what we need to know about clean candles and how to extend their longevity. Generic vs. all-natural candles Unlike paraffin wax candles made from petroleum, all Scentervention candles are made with 100% soy wax that is made from soybeans. Soy wax is more environmentally-friendly and sustainable, and burns cleaner than paraffin wax. (As an added bonus, soy wax also burns longer) All Scentervention candles are phthalate free, meaning they are free from harsh chemicals that can damage vital organs and even cause birth defects. You'd be surprised what kinds of toxic ingredients are present in common store-bought candles. And to think, we light these things on fire and breathe them in! In addition, Scentervention candles are made with clean-burning wooden wicks, rather than cotton wicks dipped in chemicals. The wooden wicks help reduce smoke and soot. The wooden wicks may initially be a little harder to light, but the benefits of a cleaner burning wick outweigh the negatives for me! Therapeutic benefits I am a therapist by profession and have always found personal benefit and relaxation from lighting a candle. I truly feel like lighting a candle can instantly change your mood, help ground you and bring you to the present moment. Additionally, scents can be incredibly therapeutic, so I make sure to use essential oils that have therapeutic properties. Candles are part of my own self-care ritual; it's such an easy way to incorporate self-care into your every day. The idea for Scentervention was actually born after a particularly difficult and emotionally heavy therapy session I had with a client. I found myself getting caught up in my own anxiety spiral and after lighting a candle, I felt so much better. Then I thought, why. not combine the two? And so the journey began... Liza's go-to scents If I need a little pick-me-up or motivation, I love to light the Blood Orange candle. If I'm trying to relax, I pick something with lavender. If I feel like I need to reset and refresh, my go-to is something light and clean, like the Longevity candle. To be perfectly honest, I light the Holiday/Fraser Fir candle throughout the year, because the scent never fails to make me happy!  How to extend the longevity of your candle Repeat after me.. ALWAYS TRIM YOUR WICK! This is the number one mistake made with candles. The wick should always be about 1/4" long. Keeping the wick short helps reduce soot, but also helps the candle burn slower and longer. Additionally, soy wax has a 'memory' so you want to make sure the first time you light the candle, you let it burn all the way to the edges of the vessel. Otherwise, the wax will never melt to the edge of the candle and instead create a tunnel effect. When you're not using the candle, keep it in a dark/cool place to help preserve the scent. Love how our studio smells? Bring our signature scent into your home with our new Longevity candle (pictured above) - available for purchase at the Penthouse. The vessel can be repurposed as a beverage glass, or you can bring it back to us for a refill. To shop Scentervention Candles & learn more, visit their website or give them a follow at @scentervention. Longevity Living, an aspirational lifestyle blog by Longevity Fitness Charleston, is your source for all things fitness, nutrition and wellness. Be sure to subscribe to our weekly newsletter for scroll-worthy articles, must-watch videos from our expert trainers, studio updates & more.
2 Comments
It got me when you said that soy wax is more environmentally friendly and sustainable with a cleaner burn. I guess I will choose to buy scented soy candles from a shop that I can find near me. It will surely be best for me since I have had a sensitive respiratory system ever since I was a kid. 5/15/2022 09:08:03 am
Thanks for pointing out that trimming the wick of candles will reduce the soot that can also burn them slower and longer. I will keep that in mind because I plan to buy rosemary-scented candles and collect many of them for my home. It's the scent that I always loved ever since I was a kid because of the memories in the kitchen of my grandmother. So I want them to last for a long time to keep the smell and memories alive. Leave a Reply. |
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