Organic Candles

Here you will learn which candles are conventional, which are greenwashing, and which candles are non-toxic:

Conventional Candles

❌ Avoid conventional candles: they are considered toxic.

Conventional candles are responsible for indoor air pollution, and health hazards.

 

Their toxic components can build up indoors, release pollutants that circulate into our environment, creating toxins that are inhaled into our lungs. If you experience headaches near a candle or just simply when you get close to smell a candle, even when it is not burning, that is one of the effects of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) typical of fragrances, including those classified as toxic or hazardous by federal law. 

When these scents are burned in a confined indoor space such as your home, without outdoor air diluting these toxic particles emitted, they react with ozone in the air and form harmful secondary pollutants such as formaldehyde.

 

Here is the list of toxic chemicals found in conventional candles:

  • FragranceFragrance is a mysterious mix of undisclosed chemicals linked to developmental reproductive harm. 
  • Formaldehyde & Benzene: Known Carcinogens
  • Hexane: is a neurotoxic solvents used to extract essential oils from plants for candle. Hexane, a petroleum-derived solvent, is noted in soy wax processing and can leave residues that release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) when burned.
  • Toluene and benzene: also toxic solvents, are emitted from paraffin wax candles.
  • Paraffin Wax: Paraffin wax is derived as a byproduct of petroleum, coal, or oil shale and contains controversial and harmful chemicals such as benzene and toluene. Paraffin is toxic, non-biodegradable, and suspected to release toxic substances. Choose 100% beeswax or coconut wax.
  • Colored Candles: Their pigmentation can be toxic. Pigments used in candles can be toxic to humans and the environment. Choose a natural candle, they are creamy in color.
  • ❌ Treated Wicks: Petroleum-derived wick treatments, often paraffin coatings, are common but raise toxicity concerns in candles due to potential soot and VOC emissions during burning.

 

 

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Greenwashing Candles

Avoid greenwashing candles made by brands that pretend to be “eco, safe, organic, and green” when they are not. They use this as a misleading marketing trick to get you into buying their products. 

They  contain controversial ingredients and materials:

  • Soy Wax: Avoid soy candle companies, as the processing still requires small amounts of paraffin. Soy wax can be derived from hexane, which is extracted from petroleum. Plus, soy is GMO.
  • Undisclosed aroma: If they don’t list the aroma source and essential oils used, they have something to hide.
  • Lead-free Wicks Claim: Since 2003, lead wicks have been banned in the USA if they claim “lead-free wicks.” Nothing new here. Just a marketing trick!​
  • Toxic Extractions: they use toxic solvent to extract essential oils
  • Safe synthetic: lab made

 

Why deal with all these when we can simply opt for safer, organic, truly natural candles made by responsible brands that are willing to protect the environment? 

​The Best Organic and Natural Candles 

The best natural candles use 100%  natural ingredients and materials. These are non-toxic candles and burn clean. You can have the confidence that these are the safest, purest, and eco-friendliest candles around!  

 

  • ✅ Base: 100% beeswax or coconut-based candles
  • ✅ Aroma: 100% pure essential oils
  • Untreated Wicks: FSC-certified wood wicks or 100% unbleached cotton wicks
  • Transparency : disclosure of every single ingredients
  • Third-party tested 

 

Their therapeutic essential oils are extracted with the safest extraction methods:  

 

  • ✅ CO₂ Extraction: Supercritical CO₂ Extraction uses pressurized CO₂ as a solvent that fully evaporates, yielding ultra-pure oils (>90% bioactive compounds) without heat damage or residues. It is a top safe alternative to cold-pressed or steam-distilled methods for essential oils, using supercritical carbon dioxide as a solvent that’s fully removed, leaving no residues.
  • ✅ Cold‑pressed (expressed): Mechanical squeezing of citrus peels (e.g., orange, lemon) at room temp—no heat, chemicals, or solvents.

  • ✅ Steam‑distilled: Steam passes through plant material (flowers, leaves, wood, roots), vapors condense to separate oils. Solvent-free, low-cost, high yield (e.g., 85% purity)

 

The MADE SAFE® seal confirms that a household product is free of all toxins known or suspected to harm human health, animals, or ecosystems.  Certified goods have been thoroughly examined by researchers and scientists to ensure they’re made without known behavioral toxins, carcinogens, developmental toxins, endocrine disruptors, flame retardants, heavy metals, neurotoxins, high-risk pesticides, reproductive toxins, toxic solvents, or harmful VOCs.

 

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The Best Organic Candle Brands

 💗 These eco-friendly candles made with only 100% natural ingredients: natural beeswax, pure coconut oil, 100% pure therapeutic essential oils, and natural wooden wick! ​Also MADE SAFE Certified!

🐝 Hand-poured in the USA. 100% non-toxic, and natural candles without paraffin (petroleum), artificial oil, synthetic oil, lead, or soy. Paraffin-free, soy-free, and and free of synthetic fragrances.

 

Naturally hypoallergenic and aromatherapeutic, with a calm, steady flame, they are clean-burning. They clean indoor air by emitting negative ions and reducing positive ions in the air 🌾to transform your home into an organic spa. 🌸🍯 ​

✨ Clean, steady smokeless flame that releases a delicate aromatherapeutic aroma. Great for a home spa day or simply to detoxify the indoor quality! It is a simple, elegant touch for a relaxing evening!

 

My number one organic candle brand recommendations are:

 

Shop with my links to support my research! 💖