Candles set the mood, but most conventional candles are made with paraffin wax — a petroleum byproduct that releases toxic chemicals like benzene and toluene when burned. Add synthetic fragrance to the mix, and you've got an indoor air quality problem hiding in plain sight.
A 2009 study from South Carolina State University found that paraffin candles release harmful chemicals including toluene and benzene when burned indoors — the same compounds found in diesel fuel exhaust. The researchers concluded that frequent use of paraffin candles could contribute to health risks. It's a good reason to be selective about what you burn.
The good news? There are genuinely clean candles out there — made with beeswax, coconut wax, soy, and natural fragrance — that smell incredible without compromising your air. We've rounded up the 9 best non-toxic candles for a healthier home, all available to shop right here.
What Makes a Candle Non-Toxic?
Look for these four things when shopping for a cleaner candle:
- Wax: Beeswax, coconut wax, or soy wax — not paraffin
- Wick: Cotton or wood — not lead or zinc core
- Fragrance: Essential oils or phthalate-free fragrance — not synthetic fragrance oil
- Dyes: None, or natural colorants only
1. Capri Blue Volcano Scented Candle
Wax: Soy wax blend | Fragrance: Phthalate-free | Size: 8 oz
The iconic Volcano scent — tropical fruit and sugared citrus — in a clean soy wax blend with phthalate-free fragrance. Capri Blue is one of the most recognizable clean candle brands, and for good reason. It's the perfect gateway candle for anyone making the switch from conventional to cleaner options.
2. P.F. Candle Co. Ojai Lavender Soy Candle
Wax: Soy wax | Fragrance: Fine fragrance oils | Size: 7.2 oz, 40–50 hr burn
P.F. Candle Co. is a California-based brand known for their clean-burning soy candles and beautifully minimal amber jars. The Ojai Lavender scent is soft, herbal, and grounding — perfect for bedrooms, bathrooms, or anywhere you want to unwind. Their soy wax burns cleanly and the cotton wick keeps things simple.
Shop P.F. Candle Co. Ojai Lavender →
3. P.F. Candle Co. Amber & Moss Soy Candle
Wax: Soy wax | Fragrance: Fine fragrance oils | Scent: Warm amber, moss, sandalwood
If Ojai Lavender is the light and airy option, Amber & Moss is the warm, earthy counterpart. Notes of amber, moss, and sandalwood make this one of P.F. Candle Co.'s most beloved scents — rich and grounding without being heavy. Another clean soy wax burn in their signature amber jar.
Shop P.F. Candle Co. Amber & Moss →
4. Modern Sprout Rooted Soy Candle Planter
Wax: Soy wax | Scent: Cedarwood | Bonus: Grows lavender after the candle is done
This one is genuinely clever: a clean-burning cedarwood soy candle in a reusable ceramic vessel that comes with lavender seeds. When the candle is done, plant the seeds and grow fresh lavender. Zero waste, zero guilt, and a beautiful addition to any windowsill. The cedarwood scent is warm, woody, and grounding.
Shop Modern Sprout Rooted Candle →
5. Murphy's Naturals Citronella Candle
Wax: Soy & beeswax blend | Fragrance: Citronella essential oil | Size: 9 oz (Pack of 2)
Murphy's Naturals makes plant-based mosquito repellent products that actually work — and their citronella candle is the gold standard. A soy and beeswax blend scented with citronella essential oil keeps bugs away without DEET or synthetic chemicals. Perfect for outdoor entertaining, patios, and summer evenings.
Shop Murphy's Naturals Citronella →
6. Big Dipper Wax Works 100% Beeswax Pillar Candle
Wax: 100% pure beeswax | Wick: Cotton | Burn time: 90 hours | Scent: Unscented
If you want the absolute cleanest candle you can burn, start here. Big Dipper Wax Works has been handcrafting 100% pure beeswax candles in the USA for decades. No paraffin, no synthetic fragrance, no dyes — just beeswax and a cotton wick. Beeswax naturally emits negative ions that help neutralize airborne pollutants, making it the only candle wax that actively supports your indoor air quality. 90-hour burn time makes it exceptional value.
Shop Big Dipper Beeswax Pillar →
7. Hemlock Park Palo Santo Apothecary Candle
Wax: Coconut apricot wax | Wick: Crackling wood wick | Fragrance: Botanical | Size: 8 oz
Palo santo — "holy wood" — has been used for centuries in wellness rituals for its grounding, clarifying properties. Hemlock Park captures that warm, woody, slightly sweet scent in a coconut apricot wax blend with a crackling wood wick. No paraffin, no synthetic dyes, made in the USA. The amber jar and botanical packaging make it one of the most beautiful candles on this list — and one of the most giftable.
Shop Hemlock Park Palo Santo →
8. Bluecorn Beeswax Pillar Candle
Wax: 100% pure beeswax | Wick: Cotton | Burn time: 90 hours | Made in: Colorado, USA since 1991
Bluecorn Beeswax has been hand pouring pure beeswax candles in Colorado since 1991 — over 30 years of doing one thing exceptionally well. Their 3x6 pillar is unscented, undyed, and made with nothing but 100% pure beeswax and a cotton wick. The natural golden color is stunning, the 90-hour burn time is exceptional, and the clean credentials are unmatched. If you're serious about indoor air quality, this is the candle to keep burning.
Shop Bluecorn Beeswax Pillar →
9. Fontana Candle Co. Cinnamon Orange Clove Beeswax Candle
Wax: Beeswax & coconut oil | Fragrance: Pure essential oils | Wick: Wood wick | Burn time: 35+ hours
Fontana Candle Co. is built around a simple promise: "Bee Pure, Bee Non-Toxic." Their beeswax and coconut oil candles are scented exclusively with pure essential oils — no synthetic fragrance, ever. The Cinnamon Orange Clove scent is warm, spiced, and perfectly cozy — bright citrus orange, rich cinnamon bark, and deep clove layered over a clean beeswax base. The crackling wood wick adds a fireplace-like ambiance that makes this one of the most sensory-rich clean candles we've found.
Shop Fontana Candle Co. Cinnamon Orange Clove →
The Bottom Line
Making the switch to non-toxic candles is one of the easiest upgrades you can make for your home's air quality. Whether you start with a clean soy candle like Capri Blue, go all-in on pure beeswax with Big Dipper or Bluecorn, or treat yourself to the cozy luxury of Hemlock Park's palo santo — every candle on this list is a step in the right direction.
Your home should smell good and feel good. These candles do both.
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