Bath & Body Works Pulls ‘Offensive’ Candle After Furious Backlash

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Bath & Body Works has removed one of its candle designs from stores and its website following widespread backlash online.

The retailer, known for its soaps, lotions, fragrances, and candles, regularly releases themed collections around seasonal holidays, including Christmas.

Its popular ‘Hot Cocoa and Cream’ candle has long been a customer favorite, but another item from the brand’s winter collection has sparked a very different reaction.

After criticism began circulating online, the company pulled the product and issued a public apology.

A festive design sparks debate

The controversy surrounds a candle featuring a snowflake-style cutout pattern, which some shoppers and social media users claimed looked disturbingly similar to something offensive.

In a formal statement, a Bath & Body Works spokesperson said (per The Independent): “We are committed to listening to our teams and customers and committed to fixing any mistakes we make – even those that are unintentional like this one.

“We apologize to anyone we’ve offended and are swiftly working to have this item removed and [are] evaluating our process [going] forward.”

The candle’s design included a white snowflake with pointed edges, each containing two circular cutouts.

As images of the product spread online, debate quickly followed, with many users sharing their opinions across social media platforms.

Users on Reddit and X, formerly known as Twitter, were among those discussing the candle’s appearance.

One person writes: “I’m pretty sure Bath & Body Works didn’t envision anything other than a snowflake. That being said, I can’t unsee the reason they have been pulled from shelves.”

Another adds: “Don’t be surprised if we do not see this one in store! Initially, I did not see it but now I can’t unsee it!”

“People claiming they can’t see it are gaslighting. It’s staring at you right in the face,” a third person says.

Somebody else points out: “Being offended is subjective. Just because you aren’t, doesn’t mean others’ feelings are invalid.”

The discussion quickly gained traction online, with many divided over whether the resemblance was intentional or simply an unfortunate design choice.

Bath & Body Works has faced criticism before

This is not the first time Bath & Body Works has come under fire over accusations of insensitivity.

Back in 2022, the company faced criticism over its Black History Month collection, which featured Kente cloth-inspired packaging designs and prompted accusations of cultural appropriation.

At the time, Shyriaka ‘Shy’ Morris, an artist and founder of PEACE ARTS, told The Daytona Beach News-Journal: “This was a missed opportunity to push the culture forward, instead of capitalizing like most companies do off the Black dollar.”

The incident added to broader conversations surrounding how major brands approach cultural and social themes in their products and marketing.

Why the candle offended people

Many critics said the candle’s snowflake cutout resembled the white hoods historically associated with the Ku Klux Klan, the white supremacist group known for its violent and racist history in the United States.

Because of the candle’s white coloring and the shape of the cutouts, some people felt the resemblance was particularly striking once the candle was lit, with the glowing light behind the pattern reminding them of figures standing around a fire.

While others argued the design was clearly intended to resemble a snowflake, the backlash ultimately led Bath & Body Works to remove the item entirely.

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