Are you worried the candles you’re burning in your home are adding harmful chemicals to your indoor air? Here’s a helpful guide to choosing safer, less-toxic candles.
There’s nothing quite like a flickering candle to add warmth and light along with calming scents to our homes — especially now that the air is turning chillier and the days are shorter.
But maybe — like me — you have nagging doubts about how healthy it is to burn candles in a confined space. Should we believe all those scary internet warnings about the dangerous chemicals released by candles?
It’s kind of a buzzkill…to be honest. It feels like everything is harmful to our health these days.
Not to worry. After doing some research, I’ve discovered there are still some good options if you know what to look for when choosing candles and I’m happy to share what I’ve learned today.
Just want the quick take-aways?
BONUS: There’s a handy downloadable cheat sheet below summarizing what to look for when buying candles — plus some recommended brands.
Basics to look for when buying candles
The wax used in candles is only one of a few things to consider when thinking about our health. We also need to look at the type of wick and the ingredients used in the scent. I delve into each of these topics below.
Keep in mind: many candle makers don’t list all their ingredients — which leaves us on our own to do some investigative work before buying a simple candle. Well, today I have some tips on what to look for and have done some of the “investigating” for you.
Are you ready to dive in?
Which candle wax is better?
Paraffin Wax — It’s a hard NO for me.
Stroll the aisles of Target, Walmart or DollarTree and most of the candles you see are made from paraffin.
Paraffin wax is a by-product of the fossil-fuel industry; it comes from the sludge of crude oil or coal. It’s also used in waterproof coatings, crayons, nail polishes — and many other items we use in daily life — so it’s not like we can avoid it.
But burning paraffin is a whole different story. We know without a doubt that the wax emits harmful chemicals — including toluene (linked to cancer and respiratory problems) and benzene, which is a proven carcinogen.
I try not to toss around the words “toxic or “carcinogenic” lightly on Honest + Simple because I don’t want to be a scaremonger who creates clickbait just to get website visitors (eck! ). Unfortunately, this is one case where those scary terms are warranted. [You can read the U.S. EPA’s 2016 hazard statement on benzene here].
Many in the candle industry continue to argue that paraffin wax gives off only trace amounts of benzene and there’s no definite proof linking the wax to cancer in humans. Well, remember the claims by tobacco companies about cigarettes all those years ago? Hmmm…makes me skeptical.
Pros of Paraffin: It’s readily available, cheap and holds its scent well.
Cons: Some studies claim the amount of benzene and other volatile organic compounds emitted by paraffin candles is too low to cause health problems — while other studies clearly identify them as hazardous. This one is a no-brainer for me. I choose not to burn something in my home that contains a known carcinogen when there are better options available.
Soy Wax — Better but still raises questions
Soy candles are often marketed as a healthy, all-natural alternative to those made with paraffin, but they do have some caveats.
Soy wax comes from the soybean plant — which is sustainable and U.S.-grown. But more than 90% of soybean in the U.S. is genetically modified and the plants are heavily treated with herbicides and pesticides. [See more if this is a deal breaker for you.] To be fair, my research didn’t turn up a clear answer on how many of those questionable substances from the plants are left behind in soy wax.
Good to know: Soy is often blended with paraffin or other waxes to give it better scent retention. And as long as there is at least 51% soy wax, it can be sold as a soy wax candle.
Note: Be sure to steer clear of anything labeled “soy blend.” Look for candles labeled 100% soy wax.
Pros: Soy wax is a plant-based U.S. product and has not been proven to emit known carcinogens. It burns cleaner, with less soot than paraffin wax.
Cons: It’s possible soy candles retain some of the herbicides and pesticides used on soybean plants — but there are no definitive studies on this, so far as I can tell. The scent from a 100% soy wax candle is usually very subtle. Many candles are mislabeled as soy wax when they are a blend of paraffin and soy.
Beeswax — A good option for non-vegans
There’s a lot to love about beeswax candles! They emit negative ions when they burn, which help to reduce dust, dander and mold floating in the air we breathe.
The downside is that beeswax candles don’t hold or throw scent very well. They also have a distinct, warm honey scent of their own that makes it hard to blend with other scents.
Pros: Beeswax is produced naturally and has a lovely warm scent of its own. Plus it emits ions that can help to improve air quality.
Cons: If you’re looking for strong or distinct scents in your candles, you’ll be disappointed. Beeswax candles are usually a lot pricier than other options — because it takes eight pounds of honey to net one pound of beeswax!
Coconut Wax — Looks like the best option
Coconut wax is made from cold-pressed coconut meat. It burns cleaner than both paraffin and soy wax. According to some sources, coconut wax candles also hold fragrance better than soy candles.
The downside to coconut wax is that it’s softer than other waxes and can melt easily — even in transit. To counter this, some companies mix in paraffin wax – there’s that baddie again! In the industry, it’s referred to as para-coco wax.
One other drawback is that 100% coconut wax candles aren’t as easy to find; but maybe that will change soon.
Pros: Coconut wax is plant-based and doesn’t emit harmful chemicals. It holds and throws fragrance better than soy and beeswax. It’s also the cleanest of all three to burn.
Cons: You probably won’t find it in stand-alone pillar candles or tapers. This is a soft wax, best suited for containers. Coconut wax may also have paraffin or other hardeners mixed in. Be sure to read labels carefully.
What to look for in candle wicks
Once upon a time, candle wicks contained lead — which is particularly harmful to children. Beginning in the 1970s, however, the candle industry voluntarily agreed to stop using it and in 2003, lead wicks in both domestic and imported candles were officially banned by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
But some sources estimate about 30% of imported candles sold in the U.S. (from countries like China and Hong Kong) still contain lead wicks. Your best bet is to avoid metal wicks altogether.
Today you can choose from cotton, hemp or wood wicks. Be sure to choose candle brands that clearly tell you what type of wick they use.
Let’s look at candle fragrance
How to tell if a scent is synthetic
You can assume any candle labeled with the term “fragrance” is artificially scented, since this is an umbrella term for concoctions made from dozens of chemical compounds. In the U.S., scents are protected as trade secrets — so we don’t know for sure if any of the chemicals being used are hazardous to humans.
You’ll also see scented candles (without the term “fragrance”) that use creative descriptions instead. Yankee Candle’s Mistletoe, for example, is described as “woody notes of mistletoe, berries, pine boughs, and holly.” Sounds all natural and good, but it’s synthetic. [The only reason I know it’s synthetic is that no natural scents are extracted from mistletoe and holly plants.]
What’s so bad about synthetic scents?
I’ve talked about this on the blog before. Many artificial scents are made from petrochemicals that release volatile organic compounds into our homes. VOCs are already present in many common everyday items like building materials, copiers and printers, paints and craft supplies — so we’re already being exposed to them.
The EPA statement (linked above) clearly says some VOCs pose short-term and long-term adverse health effects — including cancer in humans and pets. Plus concentrations in our homes are 2 to 4 times higher than what can be detected outdoors. Sad, but true.
How to avoid artificial scents in candles
The simplest way to avoid potentially harmful fragrances is to buy candles scented with essential oils only — which are extracted from plants and don’t have questionable synthetic chemicals added. The scent won’t be as strong, but it’s a safer bet.
But keep in mind: while essential oils are more natural, they’re highly concentrated and can cause allergic reactions and sensitivities in some people. Plus there are a number of essential oils that shouldn’t be used around pets. [Read more on which oils shouldn’t be used around dogs and cats.]
Candle companies that use essential oils tend to make things easier when you’re shopping since they’re typically proud to call that out in their marketing.
Now I’d love to hear from you
That wraps up our closer look at healthier-for-you candles — based on the science available today. I tried not to go too deep into all the different chemicals and their potential to cause serious health issues. It can get overwhelming!
To keep things simple — be sure to scroll down a little for a short pdf guide to buying healthier candles.
Let me know in the comments if you found this post helpful. Did you already know a lot of this information? Do you have favorite candle brands of your own to recommend?
I am not a licensed nutritionist, medical professional or cosmetics expert. The information provided on Honest + Simple is for general informational purposes only. The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food + Drug Administration and are not intended to treat, prevent or cure any disease. Before making decisions about your health or other concerns, please consult a qualified professional and do not rely on this website for medical advice.
