FAQ
Why do you use essential oils?
We use essential oils because we believe that your body craves the harmony of nature. We offer healthy aroma that is gentle on the senses and planet. Essential oils have been used for centuries as natural holistic medicine and we believe in the powerful scent therapy they provide.
Do you use extracts or other natural but not "essential oils" ingredients?
Yes. We have just started using extracts and non "essential" oils in order to expand our scent offering to you. We may from time to time include extracts or natural compounds to create a more complex scent. Rest assured we will always tell you what is inside! And we will avoid any nasty toxins, and always be 100% natural.
What is the difference between a synthetic fragrance, a natural fragrance, an essential oil fragrance?
Synthetic fragrances are complex compounds comprised of aromatic raw materials, at least one of which is not natural. The completed fragrance may contain natural materials in combination with synthetics, or could be 100% synthetic. Synthetic aromatic raw materials have either been chemically created (mostly from petroleum), or started from a natural and have had their chemical structure modified.
Natural fragrances according to the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) natural fragrances are complex compositions of natural aromatic raw materials such as essential oils, fractions of essential oils, isolates, exudates such as resins, distillates, extracts and volatile concentrates. Essential oil fragrances are compromised of 100 % pure essential oils. Essential oils are simply the oil of the plant from which they were extracted. The term essential indicates that the oil has a distinct essence of the plant from which it came from.
When assessing the difference between all three it is easy to see that the least complex and closest to our natural environment is an essential oil fragrance.
source: Cosmetics and Toiletries
If essential oils are so great then why don't all companies use them?
Bottom line, essential oils are unpredictable and expensive. So they are hard to manipulate into a very specific experience. Majority of companies use synthetic fragrance chemicals to mimic natural smells in order to save on costs and provide a lasting scent experience.
Should I eliminate synthetic fragrances?
It is up to you! Not all synthetic fragrances are bad. It's more about ingredient transparency and quality. "Fragrances" are protected under trade-secret and companies legally do not have to divulge the ingredients in each fragrance. That means you have no visibility on what you are ingesting - and synthetic fragrances can contain numerous ingredients some of which haven't been tested.
If you are super health conscious and like to ingest clean, plant based food and products, then look for claims that resonate. It's best to choose high quality fragrances from reputable companies.
What kind of wax do you use in your candles?
We use 100% vegan waxes. Our vessel wax is American-grown soy. Our pillar wax is a blend of American-grown vegetable oils and waxes. Our waxes not only burn cleaner than alternative waxes, but also are gentle on the planet. Soy beans are a renewable resource and a wonderful way to support American farming.
Do you test on animals?
No! All of our products are 100% cruelty-free and vegan.
Do you use beeswax in your candles?
No. Beeswax, while natural and lovely, is an animal byproduct. We do not use it in order to create 100% vegan candles.
Do you use paraffin?
No. Paraffin is a wax derived from petroleum, the processing of which contributes to climate change. When burned, paraffin wax fumes can cause irritation to the eyes, respiratory system, and even cause nausea in sensitive individuals.
Where are your products made?
All our products are conceived and designed in our Los Angeles studio and made in small batches the USA.
What should I look for in other products to see if they have similar values to LITE+CYCLE?
In order to make conscious consumer choices, look for products that are transparent with ingredients and clearly note on their packaging what they value. As a general rule look for strong well displayed language like; "only" "% of" "certified organic" etc...
What are your full ingredients?
Ingredients are listed on each product page and on the packaging.
What are phthalates and do your products contain them?
No our products do not contain phthalates. Phthalates are a class of chemical known to cause hormone disruption and birth defects. Phthalates are often used in synthetic fragrances to stabilize scent and help it last longer. Phthalates are absorbed into the body through the skin or via inhalation. A CDC study showed that women in childbearing years have high amounts of phthalates accumulated in their tissues—likely due to the number of artificially scented products young women use. These chemicals impact fertility and may cause birth defects. Scientists are also now researching suspected links between phthalates and asthma, childhood obesity, breast cancer, and prostate cancer.
What are petrochemicals and do your products contain them?
No our products do not contain petrochemicals. Petrochemicals, or petroleum distillates, are chemical products derived from petroleum. They release volatile organic compounds (that become gases in the air) that have been linked to symptoms such as headaches, dizzinesss, rash, nausea, and damage to the central nervous system.
What is the difference between a flavor and fragrance?
You will see the word "flavor" on 2 of our lip balm ingredients. While we practice total fragrance ingredient transparency, we were not able to obtain the exact ingredients in the flavor for these formulas. However, these flavors are 100 % natural made up of extractions from plants without the use of synthetic or petroleum based solvents (want documentation send us an email). All our lip balms are certified organic and each flavor complies accordingly. More good news - Flavors are part of the food supply chain and their safety evaluation is focused on ingestion whereas the safety evaluation of fragrances is not. The GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) requirements for flavors are also more stringent than that of fragrances. The biggest difference is that FDA has a definition and label stipulations for natural flavors whereas there is no definition for fragrances.
Why don't LITE+CYCLE Essential Oil scents smell as strong as my other perfumes and candles?
Your LITE+CYCLE Essential Oil scents are made with pure ingredients direct from nature. They are not manipulated or tricked into being anything other than what they are. By nature, each plant has its own scent staying power or volatility. For example a citrus will disappear faster than a wood. Basically, it is what it is and we celebrate that.
What is steam distillation?
Steam distillation is a pure process of extracting essential oils from plants without chemicals or solvents. When steam is applied to a plant, tiny pockets within the plant’s fibers open, releasing essential oil into the steam. The oil-laden steam is then condensed into a liquid and separated into water and pure essential oil.
What is cold pressing?
Cold pressing is another pure method of extracting essential oils that minimizes the amount of heat applied to the pure plant ingredients. It is primarily used for extracting oils from fruits and seeds. During the process, fruit is first rolled over a trough, releasing essential oil from the peel. The whole fruit is then pressed to release more oil and juice from the pulp. The resulting liquid is spun in a centrifuge to separate the fruit juice from the essential oil.
How do I remove wax residue in the glass?
Our poured natural candles are made with 100% non-GMO soy wax and should not leave any residue. Our pillar candles are made of a blend of vegetable wax and may leave build-up after the candle is exhausted. If this occurs, place your extinguished and cool candle into the freezer for 30 minutes or longer. Then simply turn the vessel upside down and tap gently on the bottom to pop out excess wax.
How do I use the strike pad on the underside of the lid?
The etched surface on the bottom of your candle’s lid can be used as a striking surface for strike-anywhere matches. Simply draw the match briskly across the pattern and the match will ignite. You might have to be assertive to get the spark ;-)
How should I store my candles?
When not in use, please store your candle upright and in a cool (preferably between 50-70 degrees) environment away from direct sunlight.
I noticed some color variation in my candles. Why?
Because we use pure plant ingredients, some natural color variation may occur. Essential oils may also shift in color with time. This is completely normal and will not affect the integrity of your candle.
How does aromatherapy affect the energy of a space?
Essential oils have very real biochemical affects on our physical and emotional wellbeing. Some essential oils like lavender are calming, improving the body’s response to stress hormones. Others, like bergamot, are energizing—awakening the mind and increasing alertness. Understanding the effects of these oils makes it possible to enhance the emotional atmosphere in your space. If you’re feeling blue, you can fill your space with uplifting scents to create a joyful energy in your home designed to brighten your mood.
What are your strongest scents?
Do you sell wholesale? or make custom products?
We offer wholesale on a case by case basis. Please inquire.
Yes we create custom products. We have worked with companies like Anthropologie, Bayou With Love, Mayron's Goods and more... to produce sustainable and healthy beauty and fragrance products. Please email us info@liteandcycle.com for more information.
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