As the gatekeepers of our homes we have such a great opportunity to bring in healthy products and create healthy habits for ourselves and families. A super simple way to do just that, is to get rid of the scented candles (sigh, I know you might love them, but hear me out) and get a diffuser and some oils.
Why I love it: It is no secret that I love diffusing – our diffusers are going 24 hours a day! I literally have a diffuser in every room, friend. I love diffusing! One of the best things about essential oils is that they not only smell incredible, they have a huge positive impact on our health. We can diffuse blends that support immunity, our respiratory systems, healthy sleep, focus and mental clarity, emotional support and more. We can fill our homes with the scents of the season without burning chemicals or using ingredients that harm our health. I used to burn scented candles all the time, so I was a little worried when we switched to diffusers. I wanted my home to smell inviting and cozy, and I have not been disappointed! Eight years later we no longer burn candles or use wall plugs, and our home still smells incredible. So much so, that when I have people over (even the random HVAC guy last Summer, LOL) people comment on how beautiful and wonderful it smells and want to know more! You can still have your favorite scents in your home without the toxins.
A FEW NOTES ON FRAGRANCE: If you turn over your favorite products, you’ll often find the word ‘fragrance’ in the ingredients. But what is fragrance? Fragrance chemicals are organic compounds that volatilize, or vaporize into the air, which is why we can smell them. They are added to household and personal care products to give them a scent or to mask the odor of other ingredients. Unfortunately, the volatile organic chemicals (VOCs – think the smell of paint or paint thinner) emitted by fragrance products can contribute to poor indoor air quality and are associated with a variety of adverse health effects. They are pretty much the last thing you want in a product you are burning for ambiance and aroma. But it gets a little bit worse. Did you know that to protect trade secrets, makers are allowed to withhold fragrance ingredients, so consumers can’t rely on labels to know what hazards may lurk inside those festive scented candles (and room sprays.. and wall plugs… and perfumes.. and cosmetics…). This is called the “fragrance loophole” in federal labeling law.
Although all other ingredients in your scented household and personal care products must be disclosed on the label by their specific name, this loophole means that ingredients added to provide a pleasant scent, or to mask a bad one, need only be listed under the generic term “fragrance.” The Environmental Working Group (EWG) reports that, while many popular candles and room sprays contain trace amounts of natural essences, they also typically contain a dozen or more potentially hazardous synthetic chemicals, some of which are derived from petroleum. According to the EWG, “Exposure to fragrance chemicals can cause headaches; eye, nose, and throat irritation; nausea; forgetfulness; loss of coordination; and other respiratory and/or neurotoxic symptoms. Many fragrance ingredients are respiratory irritants and sensitizers, which can trigger asthma attacks and aggravate sinus conditions.”
One example of a harmful ingredient (there are many!) when it comes to fragrance, is styrene, an ingredient added to a wide variety of consumer products. A 2011 finding by the National Toxicology Program (endorsed by the Academy’s National Research Council) found that styrene is “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.” We know only that styrene might be an ingredient in any given fragrance because the International Fragrance Association, an industry trade group, publishes an online “Transparency List” of ingredients that perfumers say they use in formulas for consumer products. Styrene is one of the 3,000-odd ingredients on the list. According to the EWG,When you add up the number of products in your bathroom cabinets and under your kitchen sink that contain “fragrance” – and may contain styrene – the total could be many exposures to a substance we now know is “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.”
THIS is why I am passionate about ditching conventional products and switching to Young Living’s clean, effective and safe options! Young Living NEVER uses fragrance in their products – they don’t even need to because of the incredible essential oils. All the Young Living products are infused with the highest quality, therapeutic grade essential oils which not only make fragrance unnecessary, they actually improve our health! Make a simple switch with a huge impact and join us as we switch out scented candles for diffusers and delicious oil blends!
If you have a question about diffusing, you let me know. You can snag a starter bundle today that has a diffuser along with 12 great oils that are super versatile. Check it out HERE, friend. You’ll see more about the starter bundle AND there’s a link at the bottom to click to order. Be sure my referral #1463295 is in at checkout and once you do that – I’ll be your oily concierge there to help you every step of the way.
You can do this. You just have to take the first step. You will LOVE diffusing.
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