Best non-toxic candles (beeswax, coconut oil): What to buy and what to avoid
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I love candles — they set the mood, make a rainy evening feel cozy, and brighten my day with a fresh scent. But once I discovered the truth about all the toxins hiding in conventional candles, like the ones I used to buy at Target and TJ Maxx, I quickly disposed of them. I wondered where I could find the best non-toxic candles and what options were actually out there.
Good news: there are many safe alternatives made from quality ingredients with no synthetic fragrances or harmful chemicals. Let's get into it.
At a glance, here are my top recommendations:
Best beeswax pillar candle: Bluecorn
Best beeswax taper candle: Big Dipper
Best coconut oil & beeswax candle: Fontana Candle Co.
What makes candles toxic?
The next time you pick up a candle at any store, look at the ingredients list. Often, you will find nothing listed, or it may simply say "fragrance" or "parfum." Companies are not required to disclose what's inside their fragrances due to a regulatory loophole that protects trade secrets. This means fragrances can — and often do — legally contain harmful chemicals that go straight into your lungs when burned.
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." Unfortunately, ALL popular candle brands — Yankee Candle, Bath and Body Works, and most of what you'll find at Target — are full of them.
What to look for when buying safe and non-toxic candles
When shopping for a clean candle, there are three things to evaluate: wax, wick, and fragrance.
What is the best wax for non-toxic candles?
Avoid: Paraffin and Soy
Best options: Beeswax (#1) and Coconut Oil (#2)
Most popular candle brands use paraffin wax, which is derived from petroleum. When burned, paraffin releases volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including benzene (a carcinogen) and toluene (a nervous system toxin). Soy wax, often marketed as "clean," still releases soot, smoke, and ultrafine particles — and over 90% of US soybeans are genetically modified. It's a better option than paraffin, but it's not truly non-toxic.
Our top pick is 100% beeswax. It's the only wax that is completely non-toxic and actually provides health benefits. Pure beeswax candles produce no toxic byproducts, neutralize odors, and have a longer burn time. They also purify the air — beeswax produces negative ions that attach to dust, VOCs, and other particles and drop them to the ground. Coconut oil is a solid second choice, as it doesn't produce carcinogens when burned.
Pro tip: Make sure to read the labels; candles often advertise as made out of cleaner wax but are a blend with as little as 25% coconut oil or beeswax.
What are the safest candle wicks?
Avoid: Anything besides cotton, hemp, or wood | Best options: 100% unbleached cotton, unbleached hemp, or untreated wood
The wick matters more than most people realize. Cotton wicks should be unbleached — burning a bleached wick can release unhealthy byproducts. If you choose a wood wick, make sure it hasn't been treated with any substances or oils. Any material outside of cotton, hemp, or untreated wood can release harmful by-products when burned.
What fragrance is safe in candles?
Avoid: Anything labeled "fragrance" or "parfum" | Best option: Therapeutic-grade pure essential oils (or no scent at all)
The word "fragrance" on any product — candles, perfumes, shampoos — is an unregulated catch-all that can contain thousands of undisclosed chemicals. According to the National Academy of Sciences, approximately 95% of the chemicals used in synthetic fragrance oils are derived from petroleum. Prolonged exposure can disrupt hormones and has been linked to cancer.
If you want a scented candle, look for one using 100% therapeutic-grade pure essential oils with no added synthetic ingredients. That said, even pure essential oils can release some particulates when burned at high heat, so unscented beeswax remains the gold standard.
Pro tip: Read labels carefully. Some candle makers blend synthetic fragrance into their essential oil mixtures without disclosure. If it doesn't say 100% pure essential oil, assume it isn't.
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
Ingredients: Beeswax, cotton wick
Scent: Unscented
Made from 100% beeswax with no added fragrances or additives. Available in traditional-sized candles, tea lights, and pillars.
Big Dipper
Ingredients: Beeswax, cotton wick
Scent: Unscented
High-quality, hand-poured in the USA with 100% beeswax and no additives. Sustainably sourced and recycled paper packaging. They also have some scented options using 100% essential oils.
Bee Hive
Ingredients: 100% beeswax candles, cotton wick
Scent: Unscented
Handmade in the USA. Offers a few scented options using 100% essential oils, including a lavender option aromatherapy candle.
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 cold-pressed coconut oil + food-grade beeswax, cotton wick
Scent: Unscented and scented options
Uses organic, cold-pressed, unrefined coconut oil and food-grade white beeswax refined without chemicals or bleaching agents. Scented with therapeutic-grade pure essential oils. Bonus, many of their candles are adorned with natural, ethically sourced gemstones and crystals, enhancing their beauty and aesthetic appeal.
Honorable mention: Terralite
Ingredients: Organic coconut oil + some vegetable oil, unbleached hemp and cotton wick | Scent: Unscented to essential oil scented
Scent: A large variety from unscented to scented with essential oils
Not our top choice due to the vegetable oil blend, but a significantly better option than any conventional candle brand. No synthetic fragrances, additives, or dyes. All color comes from natural sources, and they use zero-waste packaging with 60%+ recycled glass and 100% recyclable lids.
Other ways to make your home smell good
People burn candles for different reasons, from ambiance to making their 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!
FAQs
Are all candles toxic?
Not all candles are toxic, but most popular commercial candles are. Candles made with paraffin wax and synthetic fragrances release harmful chemicals like benzene, toluene, and VOCs when burned. Candles made with 100% beeswax or coconut oil and scented with pure essential oils are considered safe and non-toxic.
What is the healthiest candle to burn?
The healthiest candle to burn is an unscented, 100% beeswax candle with an unbleached cotton wick. Beeswax is the only candle wax considered completely non-toxic — it burns clean, produces no harmful byproducts, and actually purifies the air by releasing negative ions that neutralize dust and pollutants.
Are soy candles safe to burn?
Soy candles are better than paraffin, but they are not fully safe or non-toxic. Most soy candles are made from genetically modified soybeans, can release soot and ultrafine particles when burned, and are often still scented with synthetic "fragrance" — one of the most harmful ingredients found in candles.
What should I avoid when buying candles?
Avoid candles that contain paraffin wax, soy wax, and candles that contain "fragrance" or "parfum" on the label. Also, avoid candles with bleached or metal-cored wicks. These ingredients are associated with the release of carcinogens, VOCs, and other harmful chemicals when burned.
Are Yankee Candles or Bath & Body Works candles toxic?
Yes, Yankee Candles and Bath & Body Works candles are widely considered toxic because they are made with paraffin wax and synthetic fragrances. The term "fragrance" used in their scents is unregulated and can contain thousands of undisclosed chemicals, many of which are linked to cancer, hormone disruption, migraines, and asthma.
What wax is best for non-toxic candles?
The best wax for non-toxic candles is 100% beeswax, followed by 100% organic coconut oil. Beeswax is naturally purifying, clean-burning, and biodegradable. Coconut wax is also a safer alternative to paraffin or soy, though it can release some soot at very high temperatures.
Can I find non-toxic candles at Target or TJ Maxx?
It is very difficult to find truly non-toxic candles at Target or TJ Maxx. Most candles sold at major retailers use paraffin wax and synthetic fragrances. Your best bet is to shop from dedicated clean candle brands like Blue Corn, Big Dipper, Bee Hive, Fontana Candle Co., or Bee Lucia.
What makes a candle fragrance safe?
A candle fragrance is considered safe only when it uses 100% therapeutic-grade pure essential oils — no synthetic fragrances, no "parfum," and no unlisted additives. Even pure essential oils can release some particulates when burned at high heat, so unscented candles remain the safest option overall.
Are beeswax candles better than coconut wax candles?
Yes, beeswax candles are generally considered the best non-toxic option. Beeswax is 100% non-toxic, burns cleanly without releasing harmful byproducts, and even purifies the air. Coconut wax is a close second — it does not produce carcinogens when burned, but may release minor soot at very high temperatures.
What wick is safest for candles?
The safest candle wicks are made from 100% unbleached cotton, unbleached hemp, or untreated wood. Avoid any wick that is bleached, coated, or made from synthetic materials, as these can release toxic byproducts when burned. Lead-core wicks were banned in the US in 2003, but remain something to watch for in imported candles.
Are soy candles non-toxic?
Soy candles are better than paraffin, but they are not fully safe or non-toxic. Most soy candles are made from genetically modified soybeans, can release soot and ultrafine particles when burned, and are often still scented with synthetic "fragrance" — one of the most harmful ingredients in conventional candles.
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