For a long time, I never considered that the fragrant scented candles I burned daily—literally at all hours—were polluting my home with chemicals. I think you all know by now that I am a sucker for a great scent. I lit one every day when I got home from work, loved the way they made my house smell, and enjoyed the flickering light when I turned the lights off to watch TV at night. They were relaxing, and the fragrance always made me happy.
But when I learned about “fragrance” and its effects on the body, I started questioning my chronic candle use. I won’t lie—I didn’t immediately throw out all my toxic candles. Like with laundry detergent, I went back and forth between conventional and “clean burning” candles before finally making the switch. Even now, I occasionally burn a traditional candle for the scent but try to do it when I can open the windows (who knows if that actually helps, but I do it).
So, what’s wrong with candles, and how can you find cleaner-burning options? Here are three key things to consider:
1. Wax
Many conventional candles are made from paraffin wax, a petroleum byproduct that emits carcinogenic soot when burned. It can aggravate respiratory conditions like asthma and produce benzene and toluene, both known carcinogens. While soy-based candles are a safer alternative, be cautious—many soy candles are blended with paraffin. Look for candles labeled 100% soy, ideally non-GMO. Other great clean-burning options include beeswax, vegetable wax, or coconut wax. Just ensure they’re labeled 100% pure, as blends may still contain paraffin.
2. Wick
Years ago, wicks contained metal to keep them upright, leading to high lead levels in the air when burned. While the U.S. candle industry voluntarily banned lead wicks in 1974, some were still found on the market until a full ban in 2003. Exposure to lead has been linked to hormone disruption, behavioral issues, and learning disabilities. For a cleaner burn, choose candles with 100% cotton or wooden wicks.
3. Fragrance
Ah, fragrance—my long-lost love. It’s no secret that I adore scented products, but unfortunately, “fragrance” is a catch-all term, and manufacturers aren’t required to disclose the ingredients. Many contain allergens, toxins, and endocrine disruptors like phthalates. Given my own endocrine struggles, I wish I had known this sooner. I spent over 20 years dousing myself in synthetic fragrances without realizing the potential harm. When choosing a cleaner candle, look for those scented with 100% essential oils.
This month, I’ll feature several clean(er) burning candle brands I’ve tried and liked. I’ve been gravitating toward coconut and beeswax lately. Some take getting used to—the cleaner the wax, the bigger the adjustment (for me, at least). I’ll share a brief description of each and link their websites in the comments. Feel free to share your favorite clean-burning candles, too!
Featured Clean(er) Burning Candles
Fontana Candle Co. (My #1, I have purchased all seasonal’s of this brand)
I bought three Christmas candles from Fontana during a Black Friday sale. They started with 100% beeswax but found that beeswax alone doesn’t hold scent well, so they now blend it with pure coconut oil. Their candles are scented with pure essential oils and use wooden wicks. Their supplier plants a tree for every $100 spent on wicks, making them a truly eco-friendly option. They are also the first candle company to receive the Made Safe certification. Hand-poured in Lancaster, PA, these candles took a bit of getting used to, but I ended up loving them!
Terralite Candles
Based in San Diego, CA, this company operates on 100% solar power and uses zero-waste packaging. Their candles are made from 100% plant-based coconut wax and scented with essential oils. They use hemp-core wicks, which are chemical-free and braided with unbleached cotton. The scent I tried was amazing, and I love their sustainable practices!
Cellar Door Candles
Originally from California but now based in Washington, this company prioritizes sustainability. Their coconut and beeswax blend is sourced from a local lavender farm. They use recycled paper for labels and avoid plastic in shipping. I tried the Sandalwood and Vetiver scent, and while it took time to notice the fragrance, I really enjoyed it. Their eco-friendly approach is a huge plus!
Pure Plant Home
A mother-daughter company dedicated to creating wellness products with love and light. Their candles blend coconut and vegetable wax, use essential oils for scent, and have cotton wicks. Packaging is FSC-certified, printed with vegan inks, and produced in a solar- and wind-powered facility. I tried the Ginger Vanilla scent, which smelled amazing. The candle didn’t burn as evenly as the others, and I had to trim the wick more often, but it’s still worth a try!
Final Thoughts
The good news? There are tons of cleaner candle options out there—it’s just about finding the one that suits you best! Here’s to discovering some fabulous clean(er) burning flames this February.
Drop your favorite clean-burning candles in the comments!