We use a blend of soy and paraffin wax because different waxes do different jobs well.

Soy wax is renewable and burns slowly, but on its own it can be softer, less stable, and more prone to frosting, tunneling, or weaker scent throw. Paraffin is highly refined, very stable, and excellent at carrying fragrance and producing a consistent burn. Blending the two allows us to balance burn quality, scent performance, stability, and longevity instead of choosing a wax based on marketing trends.

There are also environmental tradeoffs with every wax. Paraffin is a byproduct of existing petroleum refinement, meaning it makes use of material already created through another industry. Soy is plant-based, but it is still tied to large-scale agriculture, land use, and monocropping. In other words, there is no perfect wax. There are only better formulas for the job.

Highly refined paraffin is also more boring than scary. It is chemically stable and used in some food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic applications. It is the same type of wax used in those little wax bottle candies from childhood, though we still do not recommend snacking on your candle.

Our goal is not to chase the trendiest label. It is to make a candle that burns cleanly, smells good, lasts well, and does not waste half the jar through tunneling or poor performance.

Yes - when specifically formulated for home fragrance. We use fragrance oils that comply with IFRA (International Fragrance Association) standards, which are based on toxicology reports and exposure safety data. These oils are engineered to perform consistently in candles without compromising air quality or user health.

Essential oils may be natural, but they are not always ideal for candles. Many evaporate quickly, break down under heat, or can become irritating when burned in high concentrations. Some can even create respiratory irritation when combusted rather than diffused, especially in sensitive individuals. The American Lung Association has written about this in more detail.

The selection is also fairly limited. Only a small number are stable or strong enough to perform well in a candle.

That said, many of our fragrance blends do contain essential oils alongside other safe aroma compounds. They help add depth and realism to scents, especially notes like citrus, woods, herbs, and resins, without sacrificing performance or scent throw.

There is also a sustainability factor. Producing essential oils can require huge amounts of plant material. In some cases, hundreds of pounds of flowers, bark, or leaves are needed to produce a single pound of oil. This article from Earth Island Journal offers a deeper look at the environmental impact behind essential oil production.

“Natural” is not a regulated term, and it doesn't automatically mean safer, healthier, or more sustainable. Poison ivy is natural, so is arsenic.

We try to avoid fear-based marketing and greenwashed buzzwords. Instead, we focus on materials that are well-tested, responsibly sourced, and perform safely in a candle, whether they come from a lab, a plant, or a combination of both.

IFRA (International Fragrance Association) is the global authority on fragrance safety. It sets science-based limits on how and where specific ingredients can be used, drawing from toxicological studies and ongoing safety reviews. Compliance helps ensure that the fragrance ingredients in our products are safe for regular, long-term use.

1. Place the refill into a heat-safe container at least 2.75" wide and 3" tall. Straight-sided glass or ceramic works best.

2. Refills are designed for containers and should not be burned on their own like pillar candles.

3. If the refill shifts or wobbles, use a small amount of wax adhesive or gently soften the base to help secure it.

4. Trim the wick to about 1/4" before each burn for a cleaner, steadier flame.

5. Once finished, freeze the container to help remove leftover wax, then wash with warm soapy water.

Any heat-safe container that holds at least 7 oz and measures around 2.75" wide by 3" tall should work well.

Some favorites:

• Mason jars
  
• Straight-sided rocks or whiskey glasses
  
• Ceramic mugs
  
• Vintage glassware
  
• Tins from past collections
  
• Our signature ripple glass
  

Please avoid shallow bowls or plates, since refills need sidewalls to contain the melted wax.

Not sure if your vessel will work? Feel free to send us a photo.

Nope. Refill candles are designed to be burned inside a vessel, not on their own like a traditional pillar candle.

We originally experimented with standalone pillars, but found they performed much better when burned inside glassware or ceramic containers. Instead of collapsing outward, the wax melts down and burns evenly like a classic container candle, with about 25 hours of burn time and easier cleanup afterward.

Mostly. But the flame may be slightly taller due to our harder wax blend. That’s normal. As long as it’s in the right container, it’ll burn just as well.

Yes. Refill candles help reduce packaging and landfill waste by giving existing vessels a second life instead of tossing them once the candle is finished. They also remove the constant anxiety of figuring out what to do with leftover candle jars and glassware. Just clean the vessel and refill it again.

Our refills are made with a plant-based blend of soy, palm, and a touch of beeswax.

Tsubota Pearl lighters use Zippo Style Liquid Fuel, which can be purchased here, or at any local hardware store.

We’ve got full refill instructions right here, friend: Lighter Maintenance Guides

How often should I refill my lighter?

It depends on how often you light up, but most folks refill every 1–3 weeks with regular use.

We sell flint in 20 packs, as well as wicks for Tsubota Pearl Bolbo, Queue, and Hard-Edge (flip top) lighters.

Unfortunately, no. Due to safety regulations, used lighters (struck with flint or fueled) can’t be returned. See our Lighter Return Policy for details.

Start with the basics: check your fuel level, flint, wick length, and whether the wheel turns smoothly. Still stuck? Head to the Troubleshooting Section.

Coreless incense is made entirely from compressed aromatic material, without a bamboo stick running through the center. It usually burns with less smoke and leaves a fine ash.

Bamboo-core incense has a thin bamboo stick in the middle. It is often stronger, smokier, and more common in many traditional incense styles.

Both can be beautiful. They just burn differently, and not every holder works equally well for both.

Not always. Incense sticks vary in thickness, shape, and whether they have a bamboo core.

Our glass and ceramic holders work well with many Japanese-style incense sticks, especially coreless sticks. Some holders, like the Woosm Studio Ceramic Incense Light, include multiple hole sizes to fit both coreless and bamboo-core incense.

If a stick feels loose, too tight, or unstable, do not force it.

Choose the holder that pairs best with the incense listed on the product page. Incense sticks vary in thickness, length, and style, so the best holder depends on the specific incense you are burning.

As a general rule, look for a holder with a stable base, a heat-safe surface, and a hole size that holds the stick securely without forcing it. Glass, ceramic, brass, and recycled glass holders can all work beautifully when they are matched with the right incense.

If you are unsure, check the recommended pairings on each incense product page, or send us a photo of the incense or holder you are trying to match.

Yes. Incense works by smoldering, so smoke is part of the process.

Japanese-style and coreless incense often produces less smoke than many bamboo-core styles, but no burning incense is smoke-free. If you are sensitive to smoke, have respiratory concerns, or share your space with pets or small children, use incense sparingly and keep the room ventilated.

If you are burning in a small room and don't want to be overwhelmed with the fragrance or smoke, we often recommend cracking a window or only burning half a stick at a time. With coreless incense, you can simply snap the stick in half before burning.

Incense is usually more immediate than a candle. While a candle may take an hour or more to slowly fill a room, incense begins scenting a space almost right away.

The overall strength still depends on the formula, room size, airflow, and how many sticks you burn. For smaller rooms, one stick is usually enough.

Use caution. Incense produces smoke, and pets can be more sensitive to smoke and fragrance than humans. Burn incense in a ventilated space, keep it away from pets, and avoid using it in small closed rooms where animals cannot leave.

Birds are especially sensitive to airborne particles and fragrances, so incense should generally be avoided around them.

They do different things.

Incense is immediate. It can quickly cleanse a space after cooking, before guests arrive, or during a short reset at the end of the day. Many people also use a single stick as a gentle timer for meditation, reading, journaling, or focused work.

Candles feel slower and more intentional. Lighting one usually means settling in for a while. The flame stays with you, gradually filling the room over the course of an evening.

We love both for different reasons. One shifts the atmosphere quickly. The other keeps you company.

Incense does not usually expire in a dramatic way, but scent can fade over time, especially if sticks are exposed to heat, sunlight, moisture, or open air.

Store incense in its box or tube, away from humidity and direct light.

Route Shipping Protection is an optional service you can add at checkout. It covers your order against loss, theft, or damage while in transit. Claims are handled directly by Route, not Light Provisions.

1. Find Your Order Info

Have your order number, email, and shipping address ready.

2. Go to Route’s Claim Portal

Visit https://claims.route.com/ and input your order number and email address.

3. Submit Your Claim

Fill in your order information, describe the issue (lost, stolen, or damaged), and upload any required photos (especially for damage claims).

4. Wait for Route’s Review

Route will review the claim according to its coverage terms and may issue a replacement or refund. For some claims, Route may also require identity verification, including a government-issued ID and selfie, to help prevent fraudulent claims.

Need help?

If you have questions about Route’s process, email support@route.com. If your issue is about product quality or a packing error, contact us instead.

Most carriers include a limited amount of default insurance, but in practice, that coverage often applies only to certain situations and can be difficult to claim successfully.

If a package is marked delivered but goes missing, is stolen, or ends up at the wrong address, claims through USPS or UPS are frequently delayed, denied, or unresolved. Carrier investigations can also take weeks with no guaranteed outcome.

Route exists to cover the gaps carriers often do not. Claims are handled directly through Route, which usually means faster replacements or refunds without long back-and-forth investigations.

Route also acts as a neutral third party, helping keep the claims process fair and consistent for both customers and small businesses. For a lean business like ours, it also allows shipping issues to be resolved much faster than traditional carrier claim systems.

We do not profit from Route coverage. The protection fee paid at checkout is passed directly to Route.

We understand it can feel unusual to pay extra for shipping protection, especially when it is added at checkout by default. Route is a legitimate third-party company that provides optional coverage for packages that are lost, stolen, or damaged in transit. It can always be removed at checkout if you prefer not to use it.

Most shipping issues happen after a carrier takes possession of a package. Resolving those issues directly through USPS or UPS can involve delays, documentation requests, and uncertain outcomes. Route exists to handle that process more quickly and independently.

When Route is selected at checkout, claims are handled directly through Route, which often leads to faster replacements or refunds without long carrier investigations or back-and-forth emails.

Many larger companies often build these costs into their product pricing. As a small business, offering optional shipping protection helps us keep pricing fair while still giving customers an easy way to protect their orders.

Yes, Route covers both domestic and international shipments (except restricted countries). We strongly recommend it for international orders due to higher risk of loss or delay.

• Packages marked “delivered”: file between 5–30 days after delivery.
• Packages presumed lost: file after 7 days (domestic) or 20 days (international) but before 30 days from the last tracking checkpoint.

Please note that some claims may also require identity verification through Route before a refund or replacement is approved.

No. Route only applies to shipments sent via USPS, UPS, FedEx, or DHL.