FAQ

Are your candles "non-toxic", "clean" etc. ?

At Pepper Cottage Co., we value transparency and the safety of our products. While our candles are made with fragrance oils that are free from phthalates and parabens—two chemicals commonly avoided due to health concerns—the term "non-toxic" or "clean" can be misleading. These are marketing buzzwords that don’t have a standardized definition or a governing body to certify them.

We believe it's more important to provide clear, factual information about what’s in our candles rather than simply labeling them as "clean" or "non-toxic." Our fragrance oils meet safety standards set by the International Fragrance Association (IFRA), and we choose ingredients carefully to avoid harmful chemicals. However, even synthetic fragrances that meet these safety standards can cause sensitivities for some people. For more information, we really love this article by Northwood Candle Supply.

Our fragrance oils are free from carcinogens, reproductive toxins, acute toxins, and organ toxins. They are also Prop 65 Compliant. 

In addition to choosing high quality fragrance oils free from chemicals known to cause harm, each candle goes through rigorous testing to ensure it smells amazing and burns safely. Every scent and new container goes through this process, which can take several weeks to ensure the proper wick size is chosen. 

In short, while we make every effort to ensure the safety and quality of our candles, we won’t use these buzzwords because they can create confusion. Instead, we are committed to being transparent and providing detailed information about the materials we use. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out—we’re always happy to share more about our ingredients.

 

 

Do you prioritize sustainability in your candle production?

Yes, sustainability is a core value in our candle-making process. Here's how we're committed to reducing our environmental footprint:

  • Reuse of Packaging Material: We actively reuse packaging material from our suppliers for shipping our candles, minimizing the need for new packaging materials and reducing waste.

  • Minimal Packaging: We have chosen not to add lids to our candle jars to cut down on unnecessary waste. Many consumers tend to dispose of lids, so we opt for a lid-free design to encourage reusability and minimize landfill waste. 

  • Reusable Vessels: Our candle vessels are carefully selected to be easily reusable for other purposes once the candle has been fully burned. We believe in extending the life cycle of our products and reducing single-use items whenever possible.

  • Plastic-Free Packaging: We are proud to use plastic-free packaging for our candles, opting for sustainable alternatives whenever possible such as recycled paper and biodegradable materials, with the exception being the plastic window in our kraft bags used for the wax melts.

We know this an area we will always continue to improve in. We encourage our customers to reach out with suggestions on how we can do better! Please email peppercottageco@gmail.com with your feedback. 

 

Why don't you use essential oils in your candles?

We understand that many people love the idea of natural scents in their candles, but there are a few reasons why we've chosen not to use essential oils:

  • Limited Scent Options: Essential oils offer beautiful natural fragrances, but they have a narrower range of scents compared to synthetic fragrance oils. That means we might not be able to offer the wide variety of scents you love.

  • Cost: Essential oils can be pretty pricey. Because of their natural origin and extraction process, they often come with a higher price tag. We want to keep our candles affordable for you without compromising on quality.

  • Scent Strength and Longevity: Essential oils tend to have a lighter scent and shorter longevity compared to synthetic fragrance oils. We want your candle to fill your space with a beautiful aroma for as long as possible, and synthetic fragrances help us achieve that.

  • Safety Concerns: Some essential oils have low flashpoints, which means they can be more prone to combustion when exposed to heat. Safety is our top priority, so we opt for fragrance oils with higher flashpoints to minimize any risks during candle-making and burning.

  • Consistency: Essential oils can vary in scent and quality due to factors like botanical variability and extraction methods. We want every candle you receive to smell just as amazing as the last one, so we rely on synthetic fragrance oils for consistent scent profiles and quality across batches.

While we appreciate the allure of essential oils, we've chosen phthalate-free synthetic fragrance oils (some of which are infused with essential oils safe for candle-making) for our candles to offer you a wider variety of scents, ensure affordability, maintain safety standards, and deliver consistent fragrance experiences.

 

Do you offer customization or personalized candles?

Yes! We proudly offer white label services for your business or event. We can work with you to create a signature line for your business, candles for Realtors to give their clients, bridal/ wedding gifts, and more! Minimums do apply and cost and lead-time vary widely depending on the scope of the order. Please email peppercottageco@gmail.com for custom inquiries.

 

Do you offer wholesale or bulk orders?

Yes! Pepper Cottage Co. candles are available for wholesale and make a great addition to your business: boutique, salons, coffee shops, book stores, and more! We also offer bulk order discounts for realtors, wedding favors, events, etc.

Email ashley@peppercottageco.com to receive our wholesale catalog (for businesses who are reselling) or for bulk pricing.