FAQ

What’s in Our Candles?

At Tossa Del Mar®, each candle is hand-poured using 100% U.S.-grown soy wax—always free from additives and paraffin. We carefully source essential oil–infused fragrance oils that meet our high standards for purity and quality, ensuring they’re free from phthalates and other harmful chemicals. Every ingredient is eco-friendly, vegan, and cruelty-free, including our lead-free, natural cotton wicks for a truly non-toxic burning experience.

What Are Phthalates?

Phthalates are chemicals often used to enhance the durability of plastics and are found in various products, including some fragrance oils. In candles, they’ve traditionally helped with scent dispersion. While some studies have explored potential health concerns, proper use and ventilation can help manage these risks. At Tossa Del Mar®, we’ve opted to eliminate phthalates entirely, ensuring our candles are crafted without unnecessary additives—so you can enjoy them with confidence and peace of mind.

What Is Soy Wax?

At Tossa Del Mar®, our candles are made with premium soy wax—a natural, vegetable-based wax from soybean oil. After harvesting, soybeans are gently processed to extract the oil, which is then turned into a clean-burning, eco-friendly wax. Many of these soybeans are grown right here in the U.S., making our candles both renewable and sustainable. Soy wax also burns cleaner and slower than traditional paraffin, so you can enjoy a natural, long-lasting glow.

When Should I Discard My Candle?

We recommend stopping use when about 5mm of wax is left at the jar's bottom. Burning a candle below this level can trap heat inside the container, risking glass breakage and melting the adhesive that anchors the wick—which may cause the wick to shift. Safely extinguishing your candle at this stage helps prevent these issues. Remember to discard or recycle the jar once you’ve enjoyed your final burn.

What Is Tunneling and How Do I Avoid It?

Tunneling occurs when only a small wax ring melts around the wick rather than the entire surface. As the tunnel gets deeper, wax is wasted, making it difficult to relight the wick.

To prevent tunneling, let your candle reach a full melt pool—meaning the melted wax extends to the sides of the jar—before blowing it out. If you extinguish it too soon, the “wax memory” effect kicks in, causing the previously melted wax to soften more quickly than the unmelt wax, leading to uneven burning. Trimming the wick too short can also cause tunneling since the flame can become buried in the wax if it’s not long enough to burn properly.

Can I Fix a Tunneled Candle?

Absolutely! If your candle has tunneled, wrap a strip of aluminum foil around the edges, covering the built-up wax while leaving an opening at the center of the flame. After letting it burn for a while, the heat should help the wax melt evenly, restoring a smooth surface. Just remember to handle the foil carefully—it may be hot.