Establishing HLF's base ingredients began with a sobering discovery: the candle industry is largely unregulated, and many widely used waxes pose real health risks. Paraffin wax, for example, is the most common candle wax in the United States. It is a petroleum by-product that releases carcinogenic compounds, including benzene and toluene, when burned. So when combined with synthetic additives and heavy fragrance loads, the result is a toxic concoction.
This is not just a personal concern. It is an industry-wide standard that most consumers are simply unaware of.

THE TRUTH ABOUT "SOY" CANDLES
Natural soy wax has been recognized by the American Chemical Society as a clean-burning alternative that does not release harmful levels of indoor air pollutants. However, the majority of soy candles on the market are not made from pure soy. Products marketed as "natural soy" frequently contain significant amounts of paraffin, along with synthetic additives such as UV inhibitors and Vybar — a polyalphaolefin polymer used to enhance color and fragrance throw. These additives are both unnecessary and toxic!
After extensive research, we chose to source our natural soy and coconut waxes independently — never as a pre-blended formulation — and exclusively in their pure, additive-free form. Soy wax provides a clean, non-toxic burn; coconut wax amplifies fragrance diffusion. Each was chosen deliberately, with both performance and safety in mind.

OUR FRAGRANCE STANDARD
HLF uses a carefully curated selection of premium fragrance oils for both our home and body products. These oils are held to a standard that exceeds industry norms - free from carcinogens, mutagens, reproductive toxins, organ toxins, and acute toxins found in most conventional synthetic fragrances. Sourcing at this level demands rigorous vetting, but it is absolutely non-negotiable!
The original plan was to exclusively use essential oils, but contrary to popular assumption, essential oils are actually not suitable for candle making. When exposed to an open flame, most essential oils undergo molecular changes that not only destroy their beneficial properties, but can generate potentially harmful compounds in the process. Notably, many leading essential oil brands acknowledge this limitation in their own published guidance. This realization required a pivot: finding a fragrance solution that was both genuinely safe and powerfully aromatic.

So while our candles may not carry an "all-natural" label, they are crafted with precision, transparency, and an unwavering commitment to the health and safety of every person who burns them.