Navigating the world of candles can feel like deciphering a chemistry textbook—one minute you’re indulging in the cozy scent of vanilla, and the next, you’re wondering if you’ve just invited a toxic cloud into your living room.
With so many options (and sketchy ingredients), finding the best non-toxic candles is a small but important part of a healthy home.
Settle in, because we’re about to set the record straight (no chemistry degree required).
What Makes a Candle Non-Toxic?
When it comes to candles, a few factors can make the difference between a clean-burning choice and something that might fill your home with less-than-ideal stuff. Let’s break down six factors that determine whether a candle is non-toxic so you can enjoy your cozy moments with peace of mind.
1. Wax Type
The foundation of a candle's toxicity level is its wax. Traditional paraffin wax comes from petroleum, and when burned, it can release harmful chemicals like benzene and toluene—these are known carcinogens that you definitely don’t want floating around in your home.
Non-toxic candles are made with cleaner waxes like:
- Coconut Wax: This one’s a star player—it's sustainable, burns at a lower temperature (meaning it lasts longer), and doesn’t produce harmful byproducts.
- Soy Wax: Made from soybean oil, it's biodegradable and burns cleaner than paraffin. Plus, it lasts longer!
- Beeswax: Known for its natural air-purifying properties, beeswax candles emit negative ions that can actually help clear the air of pollutants.
2. Wick Choice
A candle’s wick is a major factor in determining how cleanly your candle burns. Steer clear of wicks that contain lead or metal cores, which can release toxins into the air.
Instead, look for:
- Wood Wicks: These crackle like a fireplace and are usually untreated, making them a non-toxic and stylish choice.
- 100% Cotton Wicks: These are a safe bet and generally burn evenly without producing smoke.
3. Fragrance Transparency
This is where things can get a little tricky. Most scented candles use synthetic fragrances, which can contain phthalates—chemicals that help scents linger but are linked to hormone disruption.
For a non-toxic experience, go for candles that use:
- Essential Oils: These are derived from natural plants, meaning you get a cleaner scent that doesn’t compromise your health (or your pet's health)
- Phthalate-Free Fragrances: Some companies do use synthetic fragrances but make them without phthalates. Always check the label for details.
4. Dyes and Additives
The color of your candle might look beautiful, but if it's dyed with synthetic ingredients, you could be inhaling chemical byproducts when it burns. Non-toxic candles rarely have bright, artificial colors or use vegetable-based dyes that don’t release harmful substances.
5. Burning Temperature
It might seem like a minor detail, but the temperature at which a candle burns plays a role in its toxicity. Low-temperature waxes like coconut wax not only last longer but also prevent the wax from overheating, which can reduce the release of any potentially harmful chemicals.
6. Sourcing and Sustainability
A candle’s ingredients and how they’re sourced matter too. The best non-toxic candles prioritize sustainable practices and ethical sourcing. At Havilah & Co., we partnered with a prestigious perfume house to carefully extract our candle fragrances from flowers, leaves, stems, and even roots.
Further, every fragrance we use comes with an eco compass that gives us the backstory—including how many generations the farm’s been around and the environmental impact of the ingredients.
(Psst—head over here for a deep dive into how we source our fragrances.)
How to Tell If a Candle Is Toxic
Spotting a toxic candle isn’t always as straightforward as sniffing the scent and guessing. Luckily, we have a few tips to help you figure out if your favorite candles are more smoke and mirrors than clean-burning bliss.
1. Check the Wax Type
The wax tells you a lot about a candle’s health factor. If it’s made from paraffin wax, that’s a red flag. Paraffin is a petroleum byproduct that releases harmful chemicals like benzene and toluene when it burns. Instead, look for candles labeled as soy wax, beeswax, or coconut wax—these are non-toxic and burn clean.
2. Study the Wick
Take a peek at the wick before you light up. If the wick has a metal core (sometimes used to make it stand upright), it could be toxic. Lead wicks were banned in the U.S. years ago, but some candles from outside the country might still have them. Instead, go for 100% cotton or wooden wicks, which don’t release nasty chemicals when they burn.
3. Sniff Out Synthetic Fragrances
Strongly scented candles might smell amazing, but they could also be packed with synthetic fragrances that release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. These can cause headaches and irritation for some people.
For a non-toxic option, look for candles scented with essential oils or those labeled phthalate-free, which means they avoid those hormone-disrupting chemicals.
4. Watch for Soot and Smoke
If you see black smoke or soot when the candle burns, that’s a clue it might be toxic. Candles that produce a lot of soot are often made from paraffin or have a poorly designed wick. Ideally, your candle should burn with a steady, bright flame and minimal smoke.
5. Read the Label for Dyes and Additives
Candles that are vividly colored or look too good to be natural probably have synthetic dyes and additives. These can release toxic compounds when burned. If the label mentions anything about vegetable-based dyes or if the candle’s color looks more muted and natural, you’re likely dealing with a safer product.
6. Try the Water Test
A quick trick to check if a candle has a metal wick core is to dip the unlit wick in water. If the wick doesn’t absorb the water or appears shiny, it might have metal in it. Cotton or wood wicks will absorb water and look natural.
Indulge in Natural, Non-Toxic Candles from Havilah & Co.
Unless you’re into toxins, it’s time to skip the candle aisle at the supermarket and make the switch to Havilah & Co. Made with natural coconut blend wax and scented with pure essential oils, our non-toxic candles skip the nasties like dyes and phthalates. Plus, 50% of our profits go toward lifting up entrepreneurs worldwide.
So go ahead, indulge in a candle that does good for your home—and the world.
