Quick takeaways
- “Toxic” can refer to health effects, environmental impact, or ethics (e.g., animal-derived ingredients).
- Ingredients commonly avoided: parabens, phthalates, synthetic “fragrance”, paraffin, dyes, and certain preservatives.
- Cleaner practice tips: trim wicks to ~¼″, limit burns to ~2 hours, and ventilate the space.
When we talk about the toxicity of a candle, it can mean many different things. We might be focusing on the supply chain of the ingredients, and the wider environmental impact of producing said candle. We might be talking about the ingredients, and what happens when they are heated or burned.
We could also be talking about the ethical side of things, and whether any animals have been harmed in the making of the candle. Or we could simply be talking about the origins of the ingredients and whether they are from natural sources or synthetically derived.
To help you to navigate the world of natural and non-toxic candles, we’re going to explore some of the features of a truly non-toxic candle. We’ll also share some common ingredients to avoid if you want to keep your home fragrance natural.
What does “toxic” mean for candles?
When you burn candles in your home, particles are released into the air. These can build up in our environment, settle on surfaces, and may also be inhaled.
If the candle releases compounds that are harmful to humans, pets or the environment, we would consider this to be a toxic candle.
Unfortunately, lots of candle ingredients are considered to be toxic for a range of reasons. They might cause breathing problems, skin irritation, headaches and migraines.
Toxic might also refer to the manufacturing process and how this impacts the environment. You might disagree with the use of animal products being used for candle making, so you might consider non-vegan candles to be toxic. Products linked to deforestation and habitat destruction could also be considered toxic.
As you can see, there are lots of different definitions of toxic within the candle making industry. Let’s explore the most common toxic and problematic ingredients, and how you can make safer choices when it comes to candles.
Common toxic ingredients to avoid
The worst offenders in candle making are parabens and phthalates, as these are known to be endocrine disruptors. To avoid these, look for ingredients that start with ‘methyl-’, ‘propyl-’, or butylparaben, or ingredients that end with ‘-phthalate’.
In candles, these are commonly found in fragrance, preservatives, stabilisers, dyes and colourants. If you’d like to choose a non-toxic candle for your home, you should avoid all candles that include “fragrance” as an ingredient, as this means that it is synthetic.
You can also avoid paraffin wax candles, as these can release trace amounts of benzene and toluene which are known carginogens.
Dyes and colourants are another ingredient to avoid, as these may release harmful compounds known as volatile organic compounds when they are burned. The same goes for preservatives that are added to candles to extend the shelf life.
Problematic ingredients to be aware of
Alongside potentially toxic ingredients, there are also some problematic ingredients that might not be bad for your health, but aren’t great for the environment and the wider world.
These include things like bleached cotton wicks. This is done purely for aesthetics, and will have an environmental impact. Instead, we use unbleached cotton wicks and recommend good wick care so that you don’t experience excess soot.
The choice of wax can also be problematic. While soy offers a clean burn, cultivating this crop is widely considered to be bad for the environment. It is linked to deforestation and loss of biodiversity. Many soya crops are also genetically modified.
Bees wax may also be considered problematic if you are vegan. The same goes for ingredients like stearic acid, which may be derived from animal sources. If it is derived from natural sources, this is often from palm oil, which is also a problematic crop due to deforestation.
Tips to make natural candles less toxic
Burning anything in your home will introduce particles into the air that have the ability to cause irritation and allergic reactions. By choosing safer ingredients, you can minimise your exposure to toxins.
Adopting some healthy candle practices around your home will also help to minimise the risk of introducing toxins into your environment.
Even a non-toxic candle can produce some nasties if it isn’t used correctly.
One of the biggest candle crimes you can commit is to leave the wick too long. This produces a large amount of soot which can cause irritation to inhabitants. To avoid this, always trim your wicks before you light your candle. We recommend trimming to about ¼ inch.
Another candle crime is to leave it burning for too long. After around 1-2 hours, the scent will have reached its maximum spread, but you’ll stop noticing it as much.
If you leave natural candles burning for too long, you risk them becoming extra hot, which can release unwanted compounds into the air.
We recommend setting a limit on candle burning time to around 2 hours maximum. You should then ventilate the space to ensure good airflow.
Keeping good airflow while you are burning candles can also help to prevent particles from building up in the air, but be careful about allowing strong gusts of wind into your home, as this could topple a candle.
Finally, you should also make sure that you recycle or reuse your candle containers once they are finished. Glass jars and metal tins can be cleaned and repurposed for storing other items throughout your home. You can also take these to recycling facilities, or you can shop our refill collection, which allows you to easily reuse your glass containers.
Final thoughts on non-toxic candle shopping
If you care about your health and your home, it makes sense to make the switch to non-toxic candles and scents. Once you learn about the hidden dangers lurking in many common home scent products, it’s difficult to go back.
With our help, you can enjoy the scents you love, without risking your health. Get started with our scent quiz today to learn which candles are right for your home based on the scent profiles you love the most.
At a glance: What to look for vs what to avoid
| Feature | Look for | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Wax | Natural options (e.g., coconut) | Paraffin (petrochemical-based) |
| Fragrance | Essential oils / transparent labeling | Synthetic “fragrance” (often with phthalates/parabens) |
| Wicks | Unbleached cotton / wood; keep trimmed ~¼″ | Bleached or metal-core wicks |
| Additives | Dye-free, preservative-free where possible | Dyes, unnecessary preservatives, animal-derived stearic |
