MYTH: All VOCs are toxic.
TRUTH: Some VOCs are harmful, but many are the natural scents we love.
Benzene and toluene? Bad VOCs.
Limonene from orange peel, linalool from lavender, pinene from pine? Good VOCs.
Candles, plants, food, cleaning sprays, even a walk in the forest, all release VOCs. The difference is in which ones and how much.
So yes, a candle gives off VOCs.
But so does peeling a lemon. 🍋
You may have heard about the debate between soy wax and coconut wax. I am going to share my personal journey of making the switch from soy to coconut wax and why I have never looked back.
The Problem with Soy WaxSoy wax has long been touted as a more eco-friendly and sustainable alternative to traditional paraffin wax. However, as I delved deeper, I discovered some troubling truths about soy wax. From deforestation to pesticide use, soy wax production has its own set of environmental issues.
Soybean plants take 100–130 days or more to complete their growth cycle and produce soybeans. Ater soybeans are harvested, the remaining plant material and soil are affected in a number of ways:
Greater soil losses are generally thought to occur with soybean
Soybean monoculture can harm soil fertility by causing erosion, compaction, and nutrient depletion, meaning this all has to be manually put back into the soil.
The Benefits of Coconut WaxCoconut wax, on the other hand, is a cleaner and more sustainable option in my opinion. Made from the meat of coconuts, coconut wax is a by product of coconut farming, making it a renewable resource. Not only is coconut wax more environmentally friendly, but it also burns cleaner and longer than soy wax according to some studies.
Coconut trees can live up to 100 years but typically live 60–80 years. They are considered "three-generation trees" because they can support a farmer, their children, and their grandchildren.
My Experience, Making the Switch
After learning about the benefits of coconut wax, I decided to give it a try in my candle making endeavors. I was pleasantly surprised by the results. Not only did my candles burn longer and cleaner, but they also had a more luxurious feel and scent throw. I was hooked.
Why You Should Make the Switch
If you are still on the fence about switching from soy to coconut wax, let me assure you that it is worth it. Not only are you making a more sustainable choice for the environment, but you are also creating a better product for yourself and your loved ones and supporting a more eco friendly product. Once you make the switch, you will never look back.
In conclusion, the debate between soy and coconut wax was a no brainer within my business and why I chose it, for me the choice was clear. Coconut wax is the superior option for those looking to create eco-friendly, sustainable, and clean-burning candles. I made the switch, and I have never looked back. I hope you will consider making the switch too.
I also found that my essential oil blends perform better with pure coconut wax than they did with any of the other waxes we tested. Better hot throw and cold throw.
This excludes bees wax as we are on an eco septic system for the workshop so the wax we chose had to be water soluble. Bees wax was not suitable for our system.
Remember, every small change we make in our daily lives can have a big impact on the world around us. So why not start with something as simple as choosing coconut wax candles over soy wax. Your home, your health, the planet and our family business will thank you.
Thank you for reading!
Jacinta Muras
Every blend I make - candle, soap, or balm - starts with one goal: to smell like nature, not a lab.
That means no synthetic fixatives, no artificial stabilisers.
Just pure essential oils, balanced and chosen based on how they behave at a molecular level.
The Science Behind Scent Balance
Essential oils are complex mixtures of natural compounds.
Each compound has its own molecular weight and volatility - which determines how quickly it evaporates.
That’s what forms the scent pyramid.
The Chemistry of Top, Middle, and Base Notes — What They Do and Why They Matter
Top Notes
What happens: Evaporate quickly and give the first burst of scent.
Why it matters: These light, fast-moving molecules create freshness and lift the whole blend.
Examples I use: Lemon Myrtle, Peppermint, Sweet Orange, Eucalyptus.
Middle Notes
What happens: Form the body of the scent and link the top to the base.
Why it matters: Medium-weight molecules keep the blend balanced and consistent.
Examples I use: Lavender, Geranium, Rosemary, Chamomile.
Base Notes
What happens: Linger the longest and hold the scent together.
Why it matters: Heavy, slow-evaporating molecules give the scent depth and staying power.
Examples I use: Cedarwood, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Vanilla Oleoresin, and sometimes Vetiver.
Getting the ratios right (roughly 30% top, 50% middle, 20% base) gives a steady scent release curve - it opens, breathes, and fades naturally instead of vanishing.
For Candles - The Chemistry of Wax and Heat
I use pure coconut wax because of how it interacts with essential oils.
Coconut wax is made of short-chain fatty acids, which create a tight but flexible network when cooled.
That network physically traps scent molecules and releases them slowly as the wax melts.
Here’s what that means scientifically:
Coconut wax melts at around 40 °C, much lower than soy or palm.
That lower melt point protects lighter molecules (like limonene in citrus oils) from early evaporation.
Its semi-crystalline structure allows scent molecules to nestle between fat chains — which is why it holds natural essential oils so well.
It cures quickly - about 48 hours, because molecular binding happens fast compared to soy blends.
Temperature control is everything.
Each oil has a different flash point (the temperature where it begins to vaporise).
Pouring at the right range keeps those molecules intact. For example:
Lavender and florals: best under 65 °C
Cedarwood and patchouli: stable up to 80 °C
Citrus: sensitive, keep under 60 °C
That’s why I don’t follow a “one-temperature-fits-all” rule - I match the pour temperature to the oils themselves.
Example blend – Alpine Calm
Sweet Orange (top) + Lavender (middle) + Cedarwood (base)
- Orange fades fast on its own, but cedarwood’s heavier sesquiterpenes slow the release, while lavender bridges the two.
The result is a candle that stays balanced from first burn to last.
For Soap - The Chemistry of Saponification
Soapmaking changes everything.
When lye and oils combine, saponification creates both soap and heat.
That heat can exceed 70 °C, which breaks down small, delicate molecules - especially citrus and mint oils.
That’s why I never rely on top notes alone, and why kaolin clay doesn’t preserve scent.
Some people in the soap making world the recommend using kaolin clay to anchor essential oils, Kaolin is inert — it doesn’t bond chemically with essential oils.
It improves glide and colour, but it can’t prevent evaporation.
What does help is smart chemistry and timing:
Add essential oils at light trace, when the mixture cools below 50 °C
Blend with middle and base notes that survive alkalinity
Let soap cure 4–6 weeks so moisture evaporates and scent settles naturally
Example blend – Mountain Cleanse
Lemon Myrtle (top) + Rosemary (middle) + Patchouli (base)
→ Lemon myrtle’s citral gives the bright lift, rosemary strengthens the middle, and patchouli’s large molecules hold everything in place long after curing.
The Natural Anchors I Rely On
I don’t use synthetic fixatives or heavy resins — I let the oils themselves do the work.
Here’s how:
Anchor What it does chemically, Why I use it
Cedarwood High in sesquiterpenes that oxidise slowly Stabilises blends and adds woody depth
Patchouli Contains patchoulol, a dense molecule that slows diffusion Deepens scent and balances citrus
Sandalwood Full of santalols, which extend scent life through slow evaporation Creates creamy, warm base tones
Vanilla Oleoresin Semi-solid, resinous compound rich in vanillin Adds warmth and naturally thickens blends
Vetiver (occasionally) Contains vetiverol and khusimol - heavy alcohols that cling to lighter oils Used sparingly for depth and holding power
By pairing these anchors with volatile top notes, I can predict how the scent will behave during both burning and curing.
Example of Evaporation Control in Action
When I make a mint style blend as an example, peppermint, eucalyptus, and a touch of vetiver, the lightest molecules (menthol and cineole) evaporate first, giving that sharp burst.
But the vetiver holds the tail end, so after the freshness fades, there’s still a cool, clean undertone left behind.
That’s molecular control - not additives.
Why My Scents Last Naturally
Molecular weight matters, heavier oils slow the light ones down
Saponification heat destroys top notes - so balance and timing matter more than additives
Anchors, not fixatives - I use natural heavy oils (wood, resin, or vanilla) to stabilise scent, not synthetics
Temperature matching keeps volatile oils intact
That’s how I create long-lasting scent without compromising purity or performance.
At Alpine Apothecary, every candle and soap is a balance of art and chemistry.
Once you understand the science, you don’t need shortcuts, just the right oils in the right order, handled with care.
If you spend any time online, it can start to feel like everything is dangerous.Candles. Skincare. Essential oils. Herbs. Cleaning products. Even soap.One post says something is safe.The next says it’s toxic.Another says you should never use it, especially if you have kids, pets, or a nervous system.It’s overwhelming. And it’s not accidental.We’re living in a time where fear travels faster than context, and repetition often replaces evidence.Why fear spreads so easily onlineSocial media rewards strong emotions. Calm explanations don’t go viral. Alarm does.When something is repeated often enough, even if it’s incorrect or oversimplified, it starts to feel true. AI tools scrape that same content, recycle it, and amplify it further.Suddenly, myths look like facts.That doesn’t mean people are malicious. It means the system is noisy.What “safe” actually means in the real worldIn real-world formulation, safety isn’t determined by vibes, opinions, or what’s trending this week.It’s determined by:ingredient composition,concentration,exposure,ventilation,how a product is actually used,This is why professional frameworks exist. Not to make things scary, but to make them boringly consistent.A product made within established guidelines isn’t “safe because it’s natural” or “unsafe because it isn’t.”It’s assessed on what it contains and how it’s used.That’s it.Natural doesn’t mean reckless, and it doesn’t mean fear-based.At Alpine Apothecary, I work with natural ingredients because I believe in transparency and understanding what we use on our bodies and in our homes.That doesn’t mean ignoring standards. It means respecting them.I don’t formulate from TikTok trends or panic cycles. I formulate from experience, education, and established safety frameworks.The goal isn’t to make you afraid of everything else. The goal is to make you feel confident in what you choose.How to choose products without the stressIf you’re feeling overwhelmed, here’s a simple filter you can use with any brand:Do they explain how they make decisions?Do they reference standards, not just opinions?Do they educate without shaming?Do they avoid fear-based language?Do they talk about use and context, not absolutes?If the answer is yes, you’re probably in safe hands.Calm is a featureGood products don’t need panic to sell. They need care, knowledge, and consistency.That’s what I’ll always offer here.If you ever feel unsure, ask.If something feels confusing, slow down.And if the internet makes you anxious, remember, louder doesn’t mean smarter.
People often ask why I teach, and why I'm moving much of that teaching to Skool.The short answer is this:Because learning properly matters, and social media isn’t built for that anymore.
What I DoI teach people how to make natural bath and body products safely, confidently, and with understanding.That includes things like:candlesbalms and creamssoaps and cleansersbath productsand other natural, DIY bath and body formulationsBut more importantly, I teach how to think about formulation.Not just recipes.Not just trends.Not just “do this because someone said so”.I explain the why behind ingredients, methods, safety, and choices so people can make informed decisions instead of guessing or copying.
Why I TeachI’ve spent decades formulating, testing, teaching, and working with natural products.Over time, I’ve seen more and more confusion creep into the space. Conflicting advice. Fear-based claims. Blanket statements. Misinformation repeated until it sounds like fact.Many people genuinely want to learn, but they’re overwhelmed. They’re afraid to ask questions publicly. Or they’re told they’re “wrong” without anyone explaining why.I teach because good information should be clear, calm, and accessible.And because confidence comes from understanding, not from following rules you don’t fully trust.
Why Social Media Isn’t Enough any moreSocial media is great for quick inspiration. It’s not great for teaching.Comments disappear.Nuance gets lost.Long explanations get cut short.And complex topics get reduced to one-liners.Important discussions about formulation, safety, and process can’t always be handled in a comment thread.That’s where Skool comes in.
Why I moved to SkoolSkool allows me to teach properly.It’s organised.Conversations don’t vanish.Questions can be answered fully.Learning can build over time instead of being scattered across posts.It’s also a more respectful space. People can ask real questions without fear of being shut down, corrected harshly, or drowned out by noise.Skool isn’t about trends or chasing algorithms.It’s about learning, discussion, and clarity.
Who This Space Is ForThis space is for you if:you want to learn DIY bath and body properlyyou value understanding over shortcutsyou’re tired of conflicting adviceyou want clear explanations without fear-mongeringyou’re curious, thoughtful, and open to learningYou don’t need to be an expert.You just need to want to learn.
What You’ll Find InsideInside the Skool community, I share:structured learning and explanationsreal-world experience, not theory onlyhonest answers to practical questionsdiscussions that stay visible and usefula calmer, more grounded learning environmentThis isn’t a sales space.It’s a learning space.
Join Me on SkoolIf you’d like to learn natural bath and body product making with understanding, confidence, and clarity, you’re welcome to join me.
👉 Find us here - Our skools link
