INTRODUCTION
For decades, crayons have been the ultimate artistic medium. These tiny pigmented sticks serve as the universal tool of creativity no matter how old you are or where you are in your art journey. But it’s no secret that the thought of eating a crayon has crossed all our minds. So what if we told you that there are brands that are making edible crayons?
In recent years, crayons full of undesirable ingredients and contaminants have become a concern for customers. Therefore, art supply companies such as OOLY and FILANA are making an active effort to manufacture non-toxic and organic crayons with natural beeswax and food coloring to ensure safe and even more fun usage of this medium.
WHY ARE NON-TOXIC AND ORGANIC CRAYONS BETTER?
Crayons are the go-to art medium for people of all ages, especially children. They are frequently used and played with. Since children tend to put things in their mouths, the toxins in crayons may cause a child’s health to deteriorate. That is why it is best to ensure that the art supplies they use are safe and contain non-toxic chemicals.
THE CHEMICALS IN CRAYONS
Although the government regulates art supplies, those regulations do not ensure that crayons contain zero toxins. Most crayons have the following toxins:
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
- Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
- Formaldehyde
- Lead
- Ammonia
- Pthalates
- Xylene
- Cadmium
- Toluene
WARNING!
The consumption of toxins such as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) may cause eye, nose, and throat irritation along with shortness of breath, headaches, and fatigue. Higher concentration may cause long-term damage to the lungs, liver, kidneys, and central nervous system.
HOW ARE CRAYONS MADE?
Traditional crayons, made of paraffin wax, are not eco-friendly either because they take much longer to biodegrade.
Most commercial crayons are made from paraffin wax and artificial pigments. Paraffin wax is usually derived from wood, petroleum, or coal. It starts out as a sludge-like material and is heated as a liquid. It is then combined with powdered pigments. These processes contain toxins and contaminants that are unsafe for frequent usage.
Although the government regulates toxic ingredients in art supplies, researchers have still found up to 100 ppm of lead in regulated crayons. In recent years, there have been routine recalls of art products containing enough asbestos and lead to poison a child!
Fortunately, art supply brands have now started manufacturing safer and healthier alternatives to traditional crayons.
THE SAFER, BETTER, AND ORGANIC INGREDIENTS IN NON-TOXIC CRAYONS
Soybean Wax: Soybean wax comes from the soybean plant, thus, it is an organic choice. Crayons made from soybean wax glide smoothly on paper as this type of wax is really soft. The only drawback to crayons made from soybean wax is that they’re not as durable as beeswax crayons.
Beeswax: Beeswax is an organic ingredient that is more durable than soybean wax. Beeswax crayons are the safest and most organic option when it comes to crayons. However, the sticky texture from honey may not be a pleasant experience for all users.
A combination of Soybean Wax and Beeswax: A combination of both the soybean wax and beeswax makes crayons smoother and more durable. These kinds of crayons also tend to color smoothly and vibrantly with less amounts of toxins.
THE 5 CRAYON BRANDS THAT ARE ORGANIC… AND EDIBLE!
OOLY Natural Beeswax Crayons
OOLY Natural Beeswax Crayons have the perfect blend of density and color. They’re also non-toxic and affordable making them the obvious choice for most people. In an OOLY Crayon pack, there are 24 bold and unique colors that glide very smoothly over paper. They’re also thick and triangular which makes them durable and long-lasting.
Honeysticks 100% Pure Beeswax Crayons
Honeysticks crayons are made in New Zealand from pure beeswax and 12 different food-grade pigments. These crayons do not contain even an ounce of paraffin wax or synthetic pigment making them the safest choice for toddlers and adults alike. Since they’re made from pure beeswax, they also smell like honey!
Their thick, chubby shape makes them durable and sustainable. They’re also super easy to grasp and color with. A pack of honeysticks contains 12 crayons that last for a very long time.
Honeysticks 100% Pure Beeswax Crayons
Buy these natural non-toxic handmade crayons loved by children and adults alike!
Stockmar Beeswax Stick Crayons
Although on the pricey side, Stockmar Beeswax Stick Crayons pass all the tests for the detection of pesticide residue, heavy metals, and PCBs. A pack of Stockmar Crayons contains 16 chubby, vibrant, and easy-to-use crayons that glide over paper smoothly. Each crayon in this pack produces an opaque color that doesn’t fade over time!
Stockmar Beeswax Stick Crayons
Grab this pack of 16 vibrant crayons that come in a sturdy tin container for easy storage.
FILANA Organic Beeswax Stick Crayons
FILANA Organic Beeswax Stick Crayons are another great choice. They’re hand-poured and absolutely paraffin-free. They’re crafted from organic beeswax and non-GMO soy oil that gives them a smooth and bright texture on any paper. The best thing about these FILANA crayons is that they blend together really well which means you can create new colors with them!
Lebze Crayons
The last brand on this list is Lebze Crayons. They’re made from non-toxic natural wax and come in a pack of 12 crayons. The best thing about Lebze Crayons is that they are silky which makes you feel like you’re using a marker instead of a crayon. They’re also super durable as they come in a twistable body that rotates up exactly like a lipstick tube.
CONCLUSION
Choosing the right non-toxic crayon may not be on your to-do list but it should be! Considering how crayons are universally used by most artists, it is essential to have non-toxic organic crayons on hand.
With this list, we aim to help you choose the best option for yourself so you could have fun coloring and even more fun tasting them! If you’re interested, you can head over and read our post to find out if eating paint is dangerous .
How Dangerous is it to Eat Paint? Could kids or pets die?
Is painting really as safe an activity as it is pleasurable? Could you always be sure that your kids and pets are safe around paint?
By Jimena & Iñigo
The Navarro-Rubios
My husband and I are learning how to draw and paint. We wanted to share this learning process with the world and have fun! That's why we created this blog. We'll have drawing contests every week and you'll decide who won that week! Follow along and learn with us!
Jimena & Iñigo
The Navarro-Rubios
My husband and I are learning how to draw and paint. We wanted to share this learning process with the world and have fun! That's why we created this blog. We'll have drawing contests every week and you'll decide who won that week! Follow along and learn with us!
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