'Volta' is a Greek word describing the act of going for a leisurely stroll. Often used in the context of one's hometown, volta describes the act of walking without purpose, usually during the hours of sundown.
It is a pastime and social event enjoyed together by friends and neighbours in the cooler hours of the evening, after the hot Mediterranean sun has set behind the sea or the mountains, giving way to a milder, more pleasant climate. Although someone engaged in volta might not have a reason for doing so, there is a passive relaxation to the activity that helps to de-stress after a long day through actively taking the time to appreciate the beautiful things around you like the setting sun, the sound of the waves, or the laughter of those close to you.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) helps people affected by humanitarian crises to survive, recover and rebuild their lives. They now work in over 40 countries, providing healthcare, helping children learn, and empowering individuals and communities to become self-reliant. In every area of their work, they seek to address the inequalities facing women and girls.
The 220g Babel candle and its 220g refills are designed to provide approximately 45–50 hours of burn time. To achieve optimal performance, ensure the wax melts evenly to the container's edge during the first use. Proper candle care is essential, including trimming the wick before each burn and placing the candle on a flat, heat-resistant, non-flammable surface.
Babel candles are both 100% natural, and certified organic. Our certified organic candles are made entirely from natural ingredients that adhere to strict organic standards. Not all natural candles can be classified as organic; natural candles may use ingredients grown with chemical fertilisers, pesticides, or through genetic modification, which are all strictly prohibited under organic certification. To achieve organic certification, raw materials must be free from genetic modification and cultivated without synthetic chemicals.
Babel candles are not vegan. This is because of the use of beeswax in our wax base. However, all other ingredients used are vegan.
A Babel candle is made from 100% natural, certified organic ingredients with a high percentage of certified organic essential oils, absolutes and extracts. Each scent has been designed to gently unfold in your space, rather than overwhelm. A Babel candle deliberately does not smell as intense as a candle made with synthetic fragrance oils, but we believe in a slower, more meaningful approach to home fragrance that allows each of the carefully chosen ingredients to shine whilst retaining a sense of balance.
To maximise the scent from your candle, ensure the wick is trimmed to 5mm before each burn. This reduces the height of the flame and therefore the intensity with which the scent oils burn, allowing them to consistently release their natural fragrance into the surroundings.
Beeswax naturally shrinks as it cools, which can cause it to pull away from the edges of the container. This is normal and won’t affect the burn quality of the candle. The candle will likely re-adhere to the sides of the container once burning is resumed.
This is due to the amount of wood wick that is burning at once. To reduce the size of the flame, the wick should be cut to 5mm using scissors or a wick cutter before each use to ensure a clean, even burn with a safe flame size.
Wood wicks create a crackling sound because of the way they burn. As the flame heats the wood, small pockets of air and moisture trapped inside the wood expand and get released, causing a crackling sound to be heard.
We do not use paraffin wax in our candles. Derived from fossil fuels such as petroleum, coal, or oil shale, paraffin wax is a non-renewable resource and does not align with our commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.
While paraffin wax is generally considered non-toxic, burning it can release trace amounts of substances like alkanes, alkenes, and toluene. These compounds are known to contribute to indoor air pollution and have been associated with potential health risks. Although the quantities emitted are typically minimal and unlikely to impact human health significantly, we prioritise using renewable, cleaner alternatives that better reflect our values and dedication to creating a candle that smells and looks beautiful without compromising the indoor air quality of your home environment.
We carefully select organic beeswax blended with organic coconut oil to craft our candles, prioritising quality, sustainability, and performance. This combination offers several advantages:
Sustainability and RenewabilityBoth organic beeswax and organic coconut oil are renewable resources. When responsibly sourced and organically certified, they serve as sustainable alternatives to paraffin and other plant-based waxes, such as soy wax (notably, over 80% of global soybean crops are genetically modified).
Air-Purifying PropertiesBeeswax is unique among waxes in its ability to purify indoor air. When burned, it releases negative ions that attract and bind to positively charged airborne particles, such as dust, mould spores, toxins, and allergens, helping to make them heavier so they fall out of the air.
Support for Ecosystem HealthBees are essential to maintaining a balanced ecosystem. Sustainable apiculture (beekeeping) plays a vital role in protecting bee populations. By using Soil Association-certified organic beeswax, we help promote the economic viability of ethical beekeeping practices.
Natural AromaBeeswax has a subtle, honeyed fragrance that complements the carefully selected scents in our candles, enhancing their warmth and character.
Organic certification ensures that products meet the highest sustainability standards, verified through rigorous testing to confirm environmental and social responsibility, full traceability, and uncompromising integrity in production.
We choose to certify our candles with the Soil Association, the UK's leading organic certifier. Renowned for exceeding UK organic standards, the Soil Association logo is widely recognised as a hallmark of excellence, synonymous with the best in organic standards and trustworthiness. You can learn more about Soil Association organic certification on their website or by visiting our Sustainability page.
For beeswax and other bee-derived products (such as honey) to achieve Soil Association organic certification, beekeeping practices must adhere to the following standards:
Our candles contain essential oils, which naturally include potential allergens such as linalool and limonene. Additionally, they are crafted in a facility that processes both beeswax and coconut oil, which may trigger allergies in some individuals.
Where any allergens are present, they are clearly listed on the label found on the base of the candle.
At Babel, we prioritise safety, ensuring that our candles are safe to burn for everyone, including those who are pregnant. Our candles are made with only the finest organic and natural ingredients, which are free from phthalates and carefully selected before being included in our formulations.
However, due to the presence of highly concentrated essential oils, absolutes, and extracts, we advise all customers—pregnant or otherwise—not to ingest or apply the scented wax directly to the skin, as this may cause potential adverse reactions. To ensure transparency, any potential allergens are clearly labelled on the sticker on the base of each candle.
You have 14 days to return your Babel candle. To be eligible for a candle return, the candle box must not be opened, the product must be unused, and you should request a returns label within 14 days of receiving the candle (this can be done via our Contact form). Once you have requested the returns label, you will have a further 14 days to return your Babel candle. View our full Returns Policy for more information.
