The Top Healthy Alternatives To Scented Candles

We also love the ethically sourced wood wick that comes from natural sappy fruit trees from the Forest Stewardship Council. Natural fragrances are created with essential oils – derived from plants and flowers – whereas synthetic fragrances are man-made, usually from petroleum-based chemicals. This means you’re once again exposed to dangerous toxins. Soy candles smell better than regular paraffin candles, but they aren’t as overpowering. They mix well and release the scent from the essential oils that are added to them. Paraffin candles are scented with chemicals and so they tend to have a harsher smell.

Candle wicks can contain heavy metals like lead, and their artificial scents and dyes are known allergens and respiratory irritants. Even unscented paraffin wax candles have the same health concerns . Scented and aromatherapy candles made with paraffin wax and synthetic fragrance oils are of particular concern. The Canadian and American Lung Association both caution against prolonged exposure to fragrances and soot for the very young, the elderly and those with respiratory diseases. Although more expensive than paraffin or soy, beeswax candles last up to three times longer. Beeswax candles that are ivory colored typically have less of a natural honey scent.

Fontana Candle Co candles are made with pure beeswax and coconut oil. Each candle is scented with essential oils and has a wooden wick that crackles when lit. 15 scents currently available including limited edition holiday scents. Crafted in Ypsilanti, Michigan, the candles in the Bookend Candles shop are 100 percent soy, produced from soybeans grown in the U.S. With their cotton wicks and phthalate-free fragrances, these candles burn super clean and are non-toxic. The Desert Bloom scent is not only affordable, but it will add notes of cactus flower, jade leaf, and patchouli to your home—perfect for a boho vibe.

The essential oils used in this candle—rosemary, peppermint, lemon, and eucalyptus—may help open airways and provide some relief for stuffy noses. This recipe uses paraffin wax, but if you’re trying to stick to clean candles, we’d recommend using soy or beeswax. The caveat with scented candles is that while the fragrance itself may be safe, it can cause problems for certain populations. It is known to be one of the largest sources of indoor air pollution. In addition, some candle manufacturers only mention one of the products that makes the wax.

Harper’s Bazaar lists Follain candles as the #1 non-toxic candle. The candles are made from sustainable soy, cotton seed and coconut oils. The candles are scented with essential oils and feature unbleached cotton wicks.

Sometimes soy candles have additives because this can help to raise the melting point and make the candle harder. The problem is that soy candles are healthy but they need to be 100 percent pure. Soy can be mixed with beeswax, which is still fine, but you need to make sure that it isn’t mixed with paraffin or another chemically processed product or the health benefits disappear. MILK + HONEY candles are a blend of coconut + soy wax, scented with essentials oils and poured over an unbleached cotton + paper wick. This dreamy candle scented with rose, agar wood, and vanilla shows that nontoxic doesn’t mean you have to compromise on scent. Made from coconut wax and featuring a cotton wick, this hand-poured, handcrafted Rosewood Vanilla Candle from Shiva Rose will make your day every time you light it.

Be sure your candles say 100 percent beeswax on the label. That news might make you tempted to clutch your candles to your chest and declare that someone will take them away from you when they pry them out of your Modern Fragranced Candles stressed-out, soot-stained hands. Fortunately, the solution to the candle pollution problem doesn’t have to be that extreme. For example, would beeswax candles or soy candles be safe, nontoxic candles to use?

Prosperity Candles are made with all-natural soy and coconut wax, 100% pure cotton and sustainably harvested wood wicks, and never any dyes or artificial enhancers. Their premium fragrances are phthalate-free, made with essential oils and skin-safe ingredients for soaps, lotions and candles. Soy candles are vegetable wax candles made from hydrogenated soy, palm and coconut oils.

You can also find candles made from soy or vegetable wax. Not only that, but essential oils make it possible to scent these healthier candles with many different scents and some have healing or relaxing properties as well. Vegetable oils such as palm wax or coconut wax can be combined with essential oils to make fragrant candles. They are a renewable resource and they have no petroleum or harmful toxins in them. As people are trying harder to reduce the effects of harmful pollutants and toxins in the environment, new products such as these are hitting the markets.