"Non-toxic" is printed on a lot of candles. It has no regulated definition for candles in the United States, and there is no certificate behind it. Anyone can use the word.
So the label alone will not tell you much. What will is knowing what a candle is made of. There are four parts: the wax, the wick, the fragrance and the container. Here is what to look for in each one, what the research does and does not show, and how our own candles measure up.
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The short version Wax: one named wax, such as 100% soy, beeswax or coconut. Not "blend". Wick: cotton or paper, with no metal core. Fragrance: the maker says what kind it is and that it is phthalate-free. Container: glass, ceramic or tin. Maker: answers when you ask what is in it. |
What "non-toxic" means on a candle
Candles are not covered by the labeling rules that apply to food or cosmetics. A candle maker in the US does not have to list ingredients at all. That is why one candle can say "soy" and be mostly something else, and another can say "clean" and tell you nothing.
When people search for a non-toxic candle, they usually mean a candle with a short, known list of materials and nothing hidden. That is a fair thing to want, and it is something you can check.
1. The wax
Wax is the fuel. It is most of what you are burning.
Paraffin is made from petroleum. It is the most common candle wax because it costs less and holds scent well.
Soy wax is made from soybeans. It burns cooler and more slowly than paraffin, so a soy candle of the same size usually lasts longer.
Beeswax and coconut wax are also good choices. Beeswax does not hold added fragrance very well, so most beeswax candles are lightly scented or unscented.
Watch for the word "blend". A soy blend can contain other waxes, including paraffin, and the label does not have to say how much. Look for 100% and the name of one wax.
2. The wick
Lead-cored wicks have been banned in the United States since 2003 by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. You should not find one in a candle sold here today.
Some wicks still have a metal core to keep them standing straight. The simple choice is a cotton or paper wick with no metal in it. A maker who uses one will usually say so.
Whatever the wick, trim it to a quarter inch before each burn. A long wick makes a tall flame and more soot. Our candle care guide covers the rest.
3. The fragrance
This is where labels say the least. "Fragrance" can be one word on a label and many ingredients in the jar.
Two things are worth knowing.
First, "natural" does not mean safer. Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts, and some of them irritate people too. A candle scented only with essential oils also tends to have very little scent once it is lit.
Second, ask about phthalates. Phthalates are a family of chemicals. One of them has long been used as a solvent in fragrance, and several others are restricted in cosmetics and children's products. A maker who has chosen phthalate-free fragrance will tell you.
4. The container
Glass, ceramic and tin all hold up to heat. Avoid candles in plastic. Stop burning any candle when about half an inch of wax is left, so the container does not overheat.
What the research shows, and what it does not
You will see strong claims online that paraffin candles are dangerous and soy candles are not. The evidence is thinner than those claims suggest, and it is better to say so.
The study quoted most often came from South Carolina State University in 2009. The researchers burned paraffin and soy candles in a small chamber and reported that the paraffin candles gave off chemicals such as toluene, and that the soy candles did not show the same pattern. The work was presented at a chemistry conference. The researchers described it as qualitative, which means it did not measure how much a person would breathe in at home.
A 2014 paper in the journal Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology measured emissions from scented candles and concluded that, in normal use, the levels were below indoor air guidelines. That study was paid for by candle industry groups.
So no one has shown that burning a paraffin candle at home will harm you. No one has shown that every candle is the same, either. Every candle makes some soot and some emissions, because it is a flame. If that matters to you, the practical steps are simple: choose materials you can name, trim the wick, and open a window now and then.
If you want more detail on each material, our longer non-toxic candle guide goes through them one by one.
How our candles measure up
Here is exactly what is in a Pure Placid candle.
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Wax: 100% soy wax. No paraffin. Wick: cotton. Fragrance: pure essential oil based fragrance oils. No phthalates. Container: glass, ceramic or tin. Made: hand-poured in small batches in Lake Placid, New York. |
We make them ourselves, so when you ask what is in one, we can answer. It is all part of our Purity Promise. Clean, because you are breathing it in.
Three to start with
We group our scents by how you want to feel. Here is one candle from each.
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Reset Mandarin, basil and sandalwood. Reach for it when the day has been loud and you want the room to feel clear again. |
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Comfort Fresh apple, new this fall. Reach for it when you want the house to feel like someone is home. |
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Grounded Reach for it when you want to slow down and stay where you are for a while. |
Not sure which one is yours? Take the scent quiz. If you are in Lake Placid, you can also pour your own at the Candle Bar and see every material that goes in.
Frequently asked questions
What makes a candle non-toxic?There is no regulated definition, so it comes down to materials. Look for one named wax such as 100% soy, a cotton or paper wick with no metal core, fragrance the maker describes as phthalate-free, and a glass, ceramic or tin container. A maker who answers questions is the best sign. Are soy candles non-toxic?Soy wax is a plant wax and a good place to start, but wax is only one part of a candle. Check that it is 100% soy and not a blend, then look at the wick and the fragrance. A soy candle with an undisclosed fragrance still leaves you guessing. Are paraffin candles bad for you?The research is not settled. One 2009 study reported chemicals such as toluene from paraffin candles but did not measure real exposure at home. A 2014 industry-funded study found levels below indoor air guidelines. If you would rather avoid petroleum wax, soy, beeswax and coconut are easy to find. Do candle wicks still contain lead?Not legally in the United States. The Consumer Product Safety Commission banned lead-cored wicks in 2003. Some wicks still use other metal cores to stay upright. If you want none of that, choose a candle with a cotton or paper wick and no metal core. Are essential oil candles safer than fragrance oil candles?Not automatically. Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts and some people react to them too. Candles scented only with essential oils also tend to smell faint when lit. What matters more is that the maker tells you what kind of fragrance is used and that it is phthalate-free. What does phthalate-free mean?Phthalates are a family of chemicals. One has long been used as a solvent in fragrance, and several others are restricted in cosmetics and children's products. Phthalate-free means the fragrance was made without them. Candle labels do not have to say either way, so ask the maker. Is it safe to burn a candle every day?Every candle makes some soot because it is a flame. Good habits keep it low. Trim the wick to a quarter inch, burn for a few hours at a time, keep the candle out of drafts, and let some fresh air into the room now and then. What are Pure Placid candles made of?100% soy wax, a cotton wick and pure essential oil based fragrance oils, with no phthalates. Each one is hand-poured in small batches in Lake Placid, New York, in a glass, ceramic or tin container. |
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Hand-poured in Lake Placid, NY 100% soy wax. Cotton wicks. Nothing hidden. Shop soy candles |