Best Non Toxic Candles (Beeswax, Coconut Oil)

I love candles. I have always been the type of person to have a candle burning somewhere in my home. They set the mood, make a rainy evening feel cozy, or brighten my day with a fresh scent. However, once I discovered the truth about all the toxins hiding in conventional candles — like the ones I used to buy at Target and TJMaxx — I quickly disposed of them. And I was sad! I wondered where I could find the best non toxic candles and what options were available.

As I hopelessly wandered the isles of my local Target, I couldn’t find a single clean candle option. But I just wasn’t looking in the right place. There are many safe and non toxic alternative candle choices out there! I’ve found many candles that I regularly enjoy, made from quality ingredients with no added synthetic fragrances or harmful chemicals.

So, let’s dive into the best non toxic candle options.

What Makes Candles Toxic?

The next time you visit Target or any other store, look at your favorite candle's ingredients list. Often, you will find no ingredients listed, or it may simply say "fragrance" or "parfum." Companies are not required to disclose the ingredients of their “fragrances” due to a regulatory loophole that protects trade secrets, preventing other companies from copying scents. This means that fragrances can, and often do, legally contain harmful chemicals. And when burned, those chemicals go straight into your lungs.

The term fragrance is unregulated and can contain up to 3,000 ingredients that are associated with various adverse health effects, such as cancer, reproductive toxicity, migraines, asthma, and sensitivities. Synthetic fragrance is now one of the world’s top allergens and has been referred to as “the new secondhand smoke.”

Long story short — stay away from any product that contains the word “fragrance”! And unfortunately, ALL popular candle brands (I’m looking at you, Yankee and Bath and Body Works!) are full of these synthetic fragrances.

What To Look For When Buying Safe And Non Toxic Candles

When you are looking for a clean candle, there are three main things to consider:

• Wax
• Wick
• Fragrance

The Wax

Avoid: Paraffin and Soy

Best Types of Wax: #1 Beeswax and #2 Coconut Oil

Many popular candle brands use paraffin wax derived from petroleum, aka fossil fuels (ew!). This means that when these candles are burned, they are not clean-burning. Petroleum, like gasoline, is toxic and releases high carbon dioxide levels when burned. Paraffin candles can also release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air, which contain harmful chemicals such as benzene (a carcinogen) and toluene (a nervous system toxin), among others.

Soy wax, often marketed as “clean,” also releases soot, smoke, and ultrafine particles that contaminate the air. Also, over 90% of soybeans in the US are genetically modified, and widespread soy mega-farming depletes the soil and contaminates the water supply. While a better option than paraffin wax, it’s not a fully non toxic option.

Therefore, when people regularly light these candles, they inhale these harmful chemicals and byproducts at high levels, significantly increasing their risk of health issues.

Our top pick for non toxic candle wax is 100% beeswax.

Beeswax candles are the only wax that is 100% non toxic and provides health benefits. Pure beeswax candles do not produce any toxic byproducts, neutralize odors, are biodegradable, and have a longer burn time. They also purify the air by removing toxins while burning, too. Beeswax candles produce negative ions, which clean air by attaching to dust, VOCs and other particles and dropping them to the ground!

Coconut oil is also a better option compared to other wax types. It does not produce carcinogens when burned. However, some suggest that burning coconut oil at high temperatures may have side effects, like releasing soot and ultra-fine particles that are lung irritants. Nevertheless, coconut oil is generally considered a safer wax option.

Pro tip: Make sure to read the labels; candles often advertise as made out of a cleaner wax but are a blend with as little as 25% coconut oil or beeswax.

The Wick

Avoid these materials in wicks: Anything else besides cotton, hemp, or wood.

Best types of wicks: 100% unbleached cotton, hemp (unbleached), or untreated and unsoaked wood.

In the past, wicks for candles were commonly lead-cored! Fortunately, in 2003, this practice was banned in the United States. However, it is still essential to consider the type of wick used in your candle. The wick should be made from 100% cotton, wood, or hemp. Any other materials can produce harmful by-products when burned.

If you choose a wood wick, ensure it has not been treated with any substances or oils that could make it toxic. If your wick is made of cotton, check that it is unbleached. Burning a non-organic and/or bleached cotton wick can release by-products that are unhealthy to inhale.

Fragrance

Alternative to “fragrance:” Ideally, nothing! But therapeutic grade, high-quality pure essential oils are second-best.

As mentioned earlier, the term "fragrance," found in many candles, perfumes, colognes, shampoos, and various beauty products, is an unregulated term that can contain thousands of harmful chemicals. Prolonged exposure to these chemicals can disrupt your health and hormones and even lead to cancer. The pleasant scent emitted by candles often comes from toxic fragrances. According to the National Academy of Sciences, approximately 95% of the chemicals used in synthetic fragrance oils are derived from petroleum! Just think about that the next time you light your scented Yankee candle.

The best option is to avoid any added fragrance altogether. If you want a scent, your candle should contain therapeutic grade, 100% pure essential oils. But make sure to read labels, as some candle makers use essential oils that aren’t TRULY pure essential oils. They often cut them with carrier oils or even use synthetic fragrances added to the essential oil mixture without disclosure.

Further, essential oils break down when burned at high heat, which can release particulates into the air that can be lung irritants.

Pro tip: Be VERY aware of buying any essential oils from Amazon. To check if your essential oil is high-quality, make sure they are labeled as "therapeutic grade" and include the English and Latin names of the plant used to make the oil, the extraction method, and how it was grown. It should be 100% pure essential oil. If it is labeled as "essence oil," it is not a pure oil. Essential oils we like are DoTerra and Young Living – they have incredibly high standards for their essential oils.

Best Non Toxic Candle Brand Options (Unscented + Scented)

As mentioned earlier, pure, unscented beeswax candles are the best choice for a clean, safe, and non toxic candle. So, where can you buy beeswax candles?

Best 100% Beeswax Candle Options

Blue Corn Beeswax Candles

Ingredients: Beeswax, cotton wick

Scent: Unscented

These candles are safe and non toxic. They are made from 100% beeswax without any added fragrances or additives. They come in various options, including traditional-sized candles, tea lights, and pillars.

Big Dipper Wax Works Beeswax

Ingredients: Beeswax, cotton wick

Scent: Unscented

Big Dipper’s candles are high quality, using 100% beeswax with no additives, and are hand-poured in the USA. An added plus is that their 100% paper packaging is sustainably sourced and recycled. They also have some scented options using 100% essential oils.

Bee Hive Candles

Ingredients: 100% beeswax candles, cotton wick

Scent: Unscented

Bee Hive Candles are handmade in the USA! This brand also offers a few scented options made with 100% essential oils, such as this aromatherapy Lavender option.

Best Non Toxic Candles (Not Beeswax)

While beeswax candles are the best option, candles made from 100% coconut oil are also generally considered a safe choice.

Fontana Candle Co.

Ingredients: Coconut oil + beeswax oil

Scent: Unscented and a variety of scented options

Fontana Candle Company offers a wide range of non toxic candles. These candles are made from coconut oil and beeswax, with no other additives. They are scented using 100% essential, therapeutic-grade oils. In addition to various scented candles, they offer non toxic wax melts, scented bath soaks, and non toxic lip balms. An added plus is that Fontana is MADE SAFE certified, which is a certification that assures that ingredients are free of carcinogens, hundreds of toxic ingredients, as well as ingredients like VOCs, neurotoxins, pesticides, endocrine disruptors, and more.

Bee Lucia

Ingredients: Organic, unfiltered, cold-pressed coconut oil + beeswax, cotton wick

Scent: Unscented and scented options

This company creates high-quality candles from organic, cold-pressed, unrefined coconut oil and 100% pure, food-grade white beeswax. The beeswax is naturally refined without the use of chemicals or bleaching agents. The candles are scented with therapeutic-grade pure essential oils and feature a natural cotton wick. A fun plus — many of their candles are adorned with natural, ethically sourced gemstones and crystals, enhancing their beauty and aesthetic appeal.

Honorable Mention: Terralite

Ingredients: Coconut oil (organic) with some vegetable oil with a hemp and cotton wick (both chemical-free, GMO-free, and unbleached)

Scent: A large variety from unscented to scented with essential oils

Terralite is not our top choice due to its use of coconut wax mixed with vegetable oil. However, it is a much better option than conventional and popular candle choices if you are looking for a scented option. Terralite's coconut wax is blended with 100% pure essential oils and plant extracts sourced from natural and organic growers and distillers. Their oils are grown without pesticides or chemical fertilizers; any added color comes from natural sources. They do not use synthetic fragrances, additives, or dyes. A nice add is that they make efforts to reduce waste through zero-waste packaging. Their glass containers are 60% or more recycled glass, and all metal lids are 100% recyclable.

Soy vs. Beeswax Candles: Are Soy Candles Non Toxic Too?

It’s a common misconception that soy candles are non toxic — sure, they are better than paraffin wax-made candles, but they aren’t clean burning. Soybeans used in soy candles are not always produced from renewable resources and are often treated with pesticides. So, when burned, soy wax candles do not burn as cleanly. There are so many better options out there, like the ones mentioned above!

Other Ways To Make Your Home Smell Good

People burn candles for different reasons, from ambiance to making your home smell nice. However, if you are looking for a scent, candles aren’t the only option! There are lots of ways to bring a fresh scent into your home. Opening up your windows is always refreshing and fantastic for indoor air quality. Try running a diffuser with high-quality essential oils if you need more of a nice smell, or place a pot on the stove with cinnamon, vanilla extract, and apples.

Clean Candles Are Good For You!

Now that you know what's available and where to buy non toxic candles, we hope you enjoy purchasing a candle that is good for you!