🔍 Overview: Can Non-Toxic Candles Support Asthma?
Yes — non-toxic candles made with natural waxes and essential oils can be a better choice for individuals with asthma or respiratory sensitivities. Unlike conventional candles made with paraffin wax and synthetic fragrances, clean-burning alternatives reduce exposure to irritants like VOCs and soot. These safer options help create a more breathable home environment without triggering asthma symptoms or aggravating respiratory conditions.
If you or anyone in your home has asthma or allergies, you’ll know just how important it is to avoid introducing allergens into the space. Unfortunately, allergens can be lurking everywhere, in all kinds of products. Even things marked as “non-toxic” could lead to an adverse reaction.
Many people with breathing issues and skin sensitivities will avoid things like home scents entirely. Anything containing an artificial fragrance is likely to trigger breathing problems and skin problems for those with sensitivities, so these should be avoided. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t introduce beautiful scents into your home.
A little bit of understanding around the ingredients label on a candle can help you to navigate this difficult area with ease. Through intentional use of scent in the home, you can enjoy the calm and serenity that candles can bring, without worrying about the impact on the health of residents.
Asthma and allergies: what you need to know
Those living with asthma and allergies will often need to be careful about their environment. When it comes to children living with these conditions, it’s down to the parents to create an environment that is free from irritants.
Common asthma irritants include mold spores, dust mites, pollen, pet dander, smoke, strong odours and air pollution. Skin irritants in the home include things like harsh cleaning agents, solvents, perfumes and dust mites.
It’s vital to keep the home clean when living with those with allergies and breathing conditions. This will help to reduce the risk of dust, pollen and pet dander building up in the home. Bedding should also be cleaned regularly to eliminate allergens.
Very strong scents and artificial fragrance are commonly cited as cause for concern when it comes to living with allergies. For this reason, it makes sense to limit exposure by being very selective about what you bring into your home.
Why avoid cheap, mass produced candles
The mass produced candles you see in the supermarkets might look tempting. They’re often brightly coloured and available in an array of tantalising scents. But burning these in your home could introduce lots of irritants that could trigger asthma attacks and skin irritation.
These candles are commonly made with paraffin, which is a byproduct of the petrochemical industry. It’s cheap, colourless, odourless and offers a consistent burn. But it also releases toluene and benzene when heated. These are the same chemicals released by diesel engines.
The fragrance used in cheap, commercial candles is also problematic. Artificial fragrance is a catch-all term that is commonly used to conceal the actual composition of a candle. Since the formulation is considered to be a trade secret, companies can get away with simply labelling their candle scent as “fragrance”.
In actual fact, this could be concealing dozens of potentially harmful chemicals that could be irritants for those living with asthma or skin allergies.
| Factor | Irritating Candles | Asthma-Friendly Candles |
|---|---|---|
| Wax Type | Paraffin wax (emits VOCs and soot) | Coconut, soy, or beeswax (clean-burning) |
| Fragrance | Synthetic fragrance (potential trigger) | Natural essential oils (soothing, non-irritating) |
| Emissions | VOCs, formaldehyde, and particulates | Low to no emissions when properly used |
| Wick Composition | Metal-core or treated wicks | 100% cotton or untreated wood |
| Respiratory Impact | May worsen symptoms or trigger attacks | Designed to reduce triggers and support comfort |
What’s the alternative?
One option would be to leave your home completely unscented. If you want to be sure there are no allergens in your home, this is the only way to enjoy certainty. But you don’t have to skip out on life’s simple pleasures.
By choosing the right home fragrance and using it intentionally, you can introduce uplifting, calming and serene scents into your home that won’t harm the residents.
Natural candles made from superior ingredients will enable you to enjoy candles in your home without worrying about triggering asthma attacks or skin allergies. All it takes is to look carefully at the candle composition and avoid a few key components.
Asthma and allergy friendly candles
To avoid the health risks associated with paraffin candles, look for all-natural candles made from sustainable ingredients like coconut wax. Coconut is a great choice as it’s a high-yield crop that doesn’t contribute to deforestation. It offers a cleaner burn and doesn’t produce as much air polluting soot as other candles.
You should also look for a candle with an unbleached cotton wick – and keep this wick trimmed to avoid excess smoke. Candle wicks with a lead core should be avoided at all costs. This lead core is used as a stiffener, but it will release trace amounts of heavy metals into the air when burned.
Finally, choose candles with essential oil fragrance, rather than those fragranced with artificial chemicals. Some scents are known to be more triggering for asthma and skin allergies. Eucalyptus, tea tree, lavender and peppermint can cause irritation, so try to avoid these.
Finally, you can use candles intentionally to limit the impact. Start by setting a time for how long you would like to scent your home. Candles deliver diminishing returns, as you will become accustomed to the smell and tune it out. This is why you should limit burning candles to around 1 hour.
Final thoughts on non-toxic candles
You don’t have to avoid candles to enjoy an allergen-free life. Provided you know what to look for, you can easily enjoy the peace and serenity that comes with lighting a beautifully scented candle. Through mindful shopping and intentional use, you can enjoy the holistic benefits of scented candles without the risk of triggering asthma and allergies.
