The 15 Best Nontoxic Candles to Help You Relax (& Breathe Easier)
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As relaxing as your favorite scented candle is, it’s hard to unwind when you’re worried about what toxins it could be emitting. But, before you panic, let’s clear the air: While some candles produce vapors that can be unsafe to inhale in large doses, the amount you get from regularly burning them isn’t high enough to be cause for concern, according to the New York Times and Cleveland Clinic research.
Even still, you probably want to limit your exposure to anything harmful, even in small doses, and there are plenty of options that are well worth your attention. To help take the pressure off of selecting the right one for you, we’ve rounded up some of the very best nontoxic candles so you can set the mood (whatever that may be) without, well, killing it.
The Best Nontoxic Candles at a Glance
How We Selected Our Top Picks
When it comes to finding nontoxic candles, MADE SAFE-certified Fontana Candle Co. says you want to look out for three factors: (1) wax type, (2) fragrance type and (3) wick type. Simply put, this addresses everything that burns in a candle, so you’ll be covered on all fronts. We avoided paraffin waxes, which are a byproduct of petroleum and believed to emit toxins—including known carcinogens—into the air when burned, based on the Cleveland Clinic’s recommendation.
Then, there’s the fragrance, which is commonly a synthetic creation that can, like the wax, give off harmful chemicals even when unlit. While Cleveland Clinic staff pulmonologist Dr. Sobia Farooq told Today she’s not aware of any health threats posed by scented candles over unscented ones, we erred on the side of caution and focused on natural scents and unscented options.
Finally, there’s the wick. This may seem like something you wouldn’t have to consider, but not all wicks are created equal. Some actually have lead, nickel or other metal cores (to help keep them straight), which can release trace amounts of heavy metals into the air when ignited. So, with that in mind, when selecting our top picks, we chose those that met the following criteria:
What Ingredients Should You Watch Out for in Candles?
Let’s face it, ingredient lists can be overwhelming, but to start with the basics, you’ll want to watch out for candles that contain phthalates, parabens and sulfates. Those are immediate no-gos. Then, if the candle gives a full list of ingredients (which isn’t required of them), take a deeper dive to look for ingredients that are hard to pronounce—often, these are the chemicals you’ll find on the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry’s Substance Priority List for harmful toxins. Some examples from this list that you may find in candles include hexane and toluene.
With those details squared away, here are our top picks for cleaner candle burning sessions.
1. Kobo Candles Plant the Box Scented Candles
Take this candle’s nature-inspired scents to the garden by planting its biodegradable, seed-infused box to grow a plant of your own. Not only is this an ingenious way to keep waste to a minimum, but it makes for the chicest sustainable packaging we may have ever seen. And, obviously, the candle itself is fabulous, too. With scents ranging from Wild Tomato Vine and Crushed Mint to Sweet Sunflower and Siam Poppy, you’ll quickly bloom into a Kobo Candle lover.
2. Otherland Cardamom Milk Candle
PureWow’s VP of Editorial, Candace Davison, has been pouring her own coconut soy candles for three years, but she still regularly stocks up on this particular scent. “It’s cozy and soothing, perfect for chilly days,” she says. Even better, it checks off the nontoxic boxes too: no parabens, phthalates or sulfates; a cotton wick and a soy-coconut wax blend.
3. Fontana Candle Co. The Luxe Candle Collection
Backed by a MADE SAFE Certification, Fontana Candle Co. stands out as a nontoxic candle company. Each one is made only of high-quality beeswax and coconut oil and with ingredients that are not harmful to humans or the environment. Their Luxe Candle Collection, specifically, comes with nine scent offerings (Pure Vanilla, Spiced Latte and Lemongrass Eucalyptus, to name a few), each with their own unique characteristics. Plus, their wooden wicks make for an extra sophisticated feel.
4. Anecdote Candles Comfort Zone
If you’re searching for a candle that feels a bit more personalized, whether for your own home or to give as a gift, look no further than Anecdote. With a selection of relatably-named candles that spark conversation—from Adulting to Quarter-Life Crisis, you’re sure to find one for any occasion. For those who prefer to stay within their Comfort Zone, this one “smells like the joy of missing out” with hints of coffee and cedarwood.
5. Uncommon James Campfire Cowboy Candle
Fun name aside (I mean, “Campfire Cowboy”? Spunky!), this Uncommon James candle will whisk you away to a midwestern bonfire. Think teakwood, tobacco leaf and saffron, with amber and patchouli to balance out its smokiness.
6. Grounds & Hounds Homeward Candle
While perhaps not one to give off the strongest smell, according to reviewers, the soft scent of this candle evokes memories of adventures alongside your pup, with notes of coffee, vanilla and a hint of campfire nostalgia. Plus, it has a mission that exceeds its fragrance power: support rescue organizations providing safe havens for dogs between homes.
$45; $40 at Grounds & Hounds Coffee Co.
7. Aerangis No. 1 The Beginning Candle
This original scent, which started it all for Aerangis, is inspired by the founder’s memories of spending time with her grandfather in his prized orchid greenhouse. With top notes of orchid, bergamot and jasmine, plus base notes of white flowers and sandalwood, it’s described as a “cozy cashmere blanket” for your nose. One reviewer adds that it “smells like heaven.”
8. Birthdate Co. Original Birthdate Candle
No matter your birthday, Birthdate Co. has a candle just for you. Each one combines astrology, numerology and tarot to create the perfect fragrance for your personality based on the day you were born. With more than 15,000 five-star reviews, it makes for a fool proof gift, too wedding party, best friend, coworker or angsty teen cousin who seems to cringe at everything you do. Plus, you can even add a name to it for extra personalization. And, yes! They have one for February 29, so you don’t have to leave out those Leap Day babies.
9. NEOM Feel Refreshed Scented Candle
A clean candle that doesn’t just smell good but actually helps you feel refreshed may seem too good to be true, but this one accomplishes both. As part of NEOM’s Scent to Boost Your Energy range, this candle uses a combination of 14 essential oils to help energize you. In fact, in a consumer study of 65 women, seven out of 10 said they had increased energy after use.
10. Apollo Candles Capri Breeze
Flaunting not one but two wicks and a RIEDEL crystal jar, this Capri-inspired candle will awaken your inner wanderlust as it transports you to Italy with hints of bergamot, magnolia, jasmine and musk. Perhaps one of our favorite parts is that this jar is meant to be upcycled. And no, we don’t just mean as a catchall for your miscellaneous trinkets, we actually mean as a chic drinking glass.
11. Brooklyn Candle Studio Santorini Escapist Candle
Spend an afternoon of self-care drifting into a peaceful Mediterranean escape with this Santorini candle with notes of fig, red currant, amber and sandalwood. Sustainably handmade in a small Brooklyn workshop, this candle will surely have you lusting after your next trip (manifesting that it’s to a Greek island).
12. Ritual and Fancy Natural Flower Petal Candle Set
“Made in small batches” is music to our ears when it comes to nontoxic candle making and each one by Ritual & Fancy is made exactly that way. You’ll want to give this Sandalwood Rose one a try (or any of their other scents) if affordable, one-of-a-kind floral designs and wood wicks are your vibe.
13. Selise Canela Candle
Despite its higher price point, this candle is splurge-worthy for more than just its cozy, cinnamon-and-nutmeg scent. It contains just three ingredients and has a burn time of up to 72 hours. Though we were challenged to find research backing up the brand’s claim that its beeswax based emits negative ions that can help purify the air, we like that its ingredient list was minimal and clean and that it uses aromatherapy-grade essential oils.
14. Blueme Nostalgia Bergamot & Musk Large Ceramic Candle
It’s naturally love at first sight upon seeing the stunning ceramic design of Blueme candles but beyond that, they’re eco-conscious, too. Each vessel is made to be reused once the candle runs out—and no, we don’t mean repurposed, we actually mean recandled. Simply purchase any of their appropriately sized “Recandle” options and place it in your empty, clean vase. Voila! A brand new candle for a lower cost than the original (of course).
15. Bee Coco Candle Sun Dried Linen
Channel sunshine and crisp summer air with this candle made from all-natural ingredients. Blended for a fragrance infused with patchouli, geranium, bourbon and coriander seed essential oils, this Bee Coco Candle is powered by a patented olfactory technology to help eliminate bad odor and leave behind a fresh linen scent.
A Definitive Ranking of the 20 Best Scented Candles, Vetted by a Home Editor
Why You Should Trust Us
PureWow's editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringer—all to help you determine which are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series (where we rank items on a 100-point scale) to our painstakingly curated lists of fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family picks, you can trust that our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for function, aesthetics and innovation. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or women’s walking shoes that won’t hurt your feet, we’ve got you covered.
