I love how lighting a candle can set the mood. I used to love lighting on while taking a bath, journaling, or just to make my space feel a little cozier, especially once the weather gets cooler. But after learning what’s actually in most conventional candles, I started rethinking the ones I was burning. (If you’ve read my post on whether candles are bad for you, you know exactly what I mean.)
The good news? You don’t have to give up that cozy vibe; you simply need to switch to cleaner options. I’ve done the research about non-toxic candle brands, what truly makes them non-toxic, and what you should pay attention to when purchasing a new candle.
In this article, I’m sharing 10 of the best non-toxic candles that are safe for your home, your hormones, and your air quality.
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Why Switch to Non-Toxic Candles
If you’ve ever flipped over a candle to read the label, you’ve probably noticed that there isn’t much there. Usually just a cute scent name, maybe “soy blend” somewhere, and that’s it.
So, let’s briefly go over some of the most common ingredients in candles and why they aren’t good for us.
Most conventional candles are made with paraffin wax, a petroleum byproduct. When burned, paraffin releases chemicals like formaldehyde, benzene, and toluene. These chemicals are all known irritants and potential carcinogens.
Then there’s the fragrance issue. That simple word on a label can hide hundreds of chemicals, including phthalates, which are used to make scents last longer. Phthalates are known endocrine disruptors, meaning they can mess with your hormones, energy, and even your mood over time.
If you’re interested in learning more about what’s actually inside most conventional candles and how they can affect your health, I broke it all down in my article Are Candles Bad For You? Here’s What You Need To Know. It’s a must-read, and I have linked all the medical studies on there.
I’m not saying this to scare you. After all, one candle alone isn’t going to cause any major health issues. But the cumulative exposure from everything we breathe in, apply, or eat can make a difference.
That’s why switching to non-toxic candles can be an impactful swap. Especially if you’re someone who likes lighting candles every day. And especially during the colder months, when we might not open our windows and let some fresh air in.
What Makes a Candle Truly Non-Toxic
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the labels. “Natural,” “eco-friendly,” “soy blend,” and “hand-poured” all sound good. But not all of them mean much, as the candle industry isn’t super regulated.
Here’s what actually matters when choosing a non-toxic candle.
Wax Type
Look for 100% soy, coconut, or beeswax. These waxes burn cleaner and release significantly fewer pollutants than paraffin.
However, avoid anything labeled “soy blend” as that likely means it’s mixed with paraffin.
- Soy wax is renewable, biodegradable, and produces minimal soot.
- Coconut wax burns slower and cleaner.
- Beeswax is naturally air-purifying.
Fragrance Source
Always check how the candle is scented. Look for ones that use essential oils or naturally derived fragrance oils.
If you see the word “fragrance” on its own, that’s a red flag unless the brand specifies what ingredients they used for fragrance.
Wick Material
Opt for unbleached cotton, wood, or hemp wicks. These burn evenly and release fewer toxins. Skip anything with metal-core wicks (like zinc or tin), which can emit trace heavy metals when burned.
Dyes + Additives
Non-toxic candles tend to have a natural cream or light yellow color. It means they’re free of synthetic dyes and unnecessary additives. If you love colorful or decorative candles, look for brands that use mineral-based or plant-derived pigments instead of synthetic ones.
Transparency
A non-toxic candle brand will usually tell you what’s in their products, without you having to do a lot of digging on their website. They’ll mention the wax type, wick material, and fragrance source.
If a company is vague or uses a lot of buzzwords, it’s often because they have something to hide. Truly clean brands are almost shouting their ingredient list from the rooftops.
The 10 Best Non-Toxic Candles
Now that you know what to look for, here are some of the best non-toxic candle brands that actually smell incredible.
Fontana Candle Company
Made with beeswax and coconut oil, Fontana’s candles are one of the cleanest options out there. They’re free of synthetic fragrance, dyes, and paraffin, and use only pure essential oils for scent.
Brooklyn Candle Studio
If you want a clean candle that still looks aesthetic, Brooklyn Candle Studio is it. Their 100% soy wax candles are hand-poured in small batches in New York and use phthalate-free fragrance oils. The packaging is minimalist, the scents are elevated, and they make amazing gifts.
P.F. Candle Co.
P.F. Candle Co. is affordable, vegan, and clean. Their soy wax candles are hand-poured in California, phthalate-free, and packaged in recyclable amber jars.
ESAS
ESAS non-toxic candles are made with a blend of coconut and olive wax and organic essential oils, free from paraffin, phthalates, and synthetic dyes.
Pure Plant Home
Made from 100% coconut wax and pure essential oils, Pure Plant Home candles are a top pick if you’re sensitive to fragrance. They’re biodegradable, sustainably packaged, and free from synthetic perfumes, paraffin, and GMOs.
Slow North
Hand-poured in Austin, Slow North candles are made from 100% soy wax, pure essential oils, and cotton wicks. Every candle is vegan, non-GMO, and free of synthetic fragrance.
Primarily Pure
Primally Pure’s candles are made with 100% beeswax and coconut oil, scented only with organic essential oils, and hand-poured in small batches.
Anecdote Candles
Known for funny labels and modern scents, Anecdote makes coconut & soy wax candles that are both aesthetic and cleaner than most mainstream options. For fragrance, they use natural oils and sometimes synthetic ingredients that are paraben and phthalate-free.
Branch Basics
Branch Basics is one of the most trusted names in clean living. Made with 100% beeswax, a cotton wick, and no added fragrance, it’s ideal if you’re sensitive to scents or want a completely toxin-free candle.
Bluecorn Beeswax
Bluecorn’s 100% beeswax candles are made in small batches in Colorado. They also use pure essential oils for fragrance and cotton wicks.
Tips to Make Your Candle Burn Cleaner
Even the cleanest candle can release a little soot or burn unevenly if you don’t take care of it properly. Here are a few tips to make your non-toxic candle last longer and burn cleaner.
- Trim your wick before every burn: Keep it around ¼ inch to prevent excess smoke and soot. Long wicks create a larger flame that burns hotter.
- Let the wax melt evenly: When you first light your candle, let it burn until the entire surface turns to liquid wax (usually 2–3 hours). This helps prevent tunneling and ensures a cleaner, even burn over time.
- Avoid drafts and vents: If your candle flickers too much, it’s likely near a vent or fan. Moving it to a more stable spot keeps the flame steady and reduces soot.
- Store candles away from direct sunlight: Clean waxes and essential oils can lose potency when exposed to heat or sunlight for too long.
At the end of the day, switching to non-toxic candles isn’t about perfection, but rather about reducing the little things that add up. A candle should make your space feel calm and intentional, not fill it with synthetic fragrance or paraffin fumes.
Before you go, check out my article Are Candles Bad For You? for a deeper dive into what’s actually inside most conventional candles.
