FAQ

When I first started making candles, I loved the idea of keeping everything as natural as possible. So naturally, essential oils seemed like the best choice. But as I learned more about how they behave in candles — and the safety, sustainability, and cost issues involved — I realised fragrance oils were the better option for Bush & Bloom.

Here’s why.

1. Safety Comes First

Essential oils are beautiful in small doses — a few drops in a diffuser or bath — but when exposed to the heat of a candle flame, some can become unsafe. Many essential oils have very low flash points, often between 40–60°C, meaning they can ignite easily or break down when mixed with hot wax. Oils like tea tree, eucalyptus, wintergreen, and camphor are known to become volatile when burned and can even release irritating compounds into the air.

Some essential oils are also not recommended for pregnant people, babies, the elderly, or pets. And since we never know who might be nearby when a candle’s burning, it’s safest to use scents that are thoroughly tested for this purpose.

2. Sustainability and Resource Use

Essential oils might sound like the eco-friendly option, but large-scale production is incredibly resource-heavy. To make just 1 kilogram of essential oil, it can take:

• 
  Around 3,000 lemons, or
  
• 
  30–50 roses for a single drop of rose oil, or
  
• 
  More than 250 kilograms of lavender for 1 litre of lavender oil.
  

That’s a lot of plants, water, and energy — and while that might be reasonable for aromatherapy, it’s simply not sustainable for candle-making, where you’d need far more oil to create a scent that fills a room.

3. Cost and Consistency

Essential oils are also extremely expensive to use in the quantities needed for candles. A single candle might require $20–$40 worth of essential oil alone, and because natural crops vary each season, the scent can change from batch to batch. That means it’s nearly impossible to keep your candles smelling consistent from one pour to the next.

High-quality, Australian-made fragrance oils, on the other hand, are carefully formulated for stability, safety, and scent throw. They’re tested to perform beautifully in soy wax, and the versions I use contain no phthalates, parabens, or animal-derived ingredients — just beautifully blended, sustainable aromas that are safe for home use.

4. The Balanced Choice

Using premium fragrance oils doesn’t mean giving up on natural values — it means making the most responsible choice for people, the planet, and the candle itself. By choosing oils made here in Australia, I’m supporting local production and using blends that evoke the scents of our landscapes safely and sustainably.

So when you light a Bush & Bloom candle, you can relax knowing it’s crafted with the same care for the environment and wellbeing that inspired the brand in the first place.

When I started making candles, I assumed that a “soy candle” meant it was made entirely from soy wax. Turns out… not always.

🌿 What “Soy Candle” Can Actually Mean

In Australia (and most other countries), there’s no strict rule saying how much soy has to be in a “soy candle.”

That means a candle labelled “soy blend” or even just “soy” might contain only a small amount of natural soy mixed with paraffin — a petroleum byproduct that’s cheaper, burns hotter, and gives that glossy, smooth surface people often associate with candles.

🕯️ Why I Choose 100% Natural Soy Wax

At Bush & Bloom, all my candles are made with 100% natural soy wax — no paraffin or synthetic fillers.

Soy is renewable, biodegradable, and cleaner-burning. It gives a softer, more natural look and scent throw that truly reflects the landscapes that inspire each fragrance.

Yes, that sometimes means that the surface might not be perfectly glossy. You may also see tiny frosting patterns or texture marks (especially in cooler weather).

But those little quirks are proof that it’s pure soy — not a polished paraffin blend.

💨 Health & Home Benefits

Paraffin can release small amounts of soot and chemicals when burned. Soy burns cleaner, producing less smoke and fewer indoor pollutants — especially when paired with cotton wicks and phthalate-free oils (like all of mine).

So, while 100% soy candles do cost a little more to make, it’s worth it for the peace of mind, the sustainability, and the natural beauty they bring to your home.

🌏 The Takeaway

“Natural” isn’t always as simple as it sounds — and that’s why I’m proud to share exactly what’s inside every Bush & Bloom candle.

Because honesty and sustainability smell better anyway. 🌿