21 Cozy, Nontox Soy Candles to Light Up Your Home

Bobbi Dempsey
·7 min read

Make your winter a little brighter with these nontoxic picks

Candles are a terrific way to give any space a warm, cozy feel. Plus, you have a virtually endless array of scents to choose from, so you can pick a fragrance that sets the mood you’re seeking. But if you prefer natural, eco-friendly ingredients, candles made from soy wax are a great choice.

Janelle Schmidt, an artisan candle maker who sells creations like this hand-poured soy snowflake candle on Etsy, says soy is an ideal choice for those concerned about the environment. “Natural soy is made from soybeans and avoids all fossil fuels,” Schmidt says, adding that she recommends looking for candles with essential oils and phthalate-free fragrances. “Search for brands with the label ‘clean scent and phthalate free' to make sure your candles burn clean, sans nasty carcinogens, toxins and other hazardous chemicals.”

One thing to note: some soy candles incorporate beeswax into the mix, so be sure to read the labels carefully if you prefer to avoid that and want to opt for a more vegan-friendly 100% soy option.

Best Soy Candles

Lulu Candles Espresso Bean Candle

This Espresso Bean candle from Lulu Candles smells exactly like what you would imagine based on the name, with one Amazon reviewer noting that “it smells like a coffee shop.” Many reviewers reported that the strong yet pleasant scent was noticeable even when the candle wasn’t lit. Lulu Candles Espresso Bean Candle, $19.95 at Amazon

Malicious Women Candle Co. “She Believed She Could” Candle

Malicious Women Candle Co. makes candles that not only smell great, but also have creative and inspiring names. This “She Believed She Could” variety smells like vanilla cupcakes. Another favorite: The “Warrior” variety that smells like a bouquet of red roses. Malicious Women Candle Co. “She Believed She Could” Candle, $25 at Amazon 

Related: 9 Coziest Nontoxic Candles

Skeem Design Sweet Balsam Candle 

Skeem Design makes their candles by hand-pouring their customized soy base into sophisticated black vessels secured with wood tops. The Sweet Balsam scent will make you feel like you’re strolling through a lush forest in spring. This smaller variety has a 50-hour burn time, and there’s a larger size that provides 80 hours of burn time. Skeem Design Sweet Balsam Candle, $32 at Amazon 

Grace+Love Candle Co. Autumn Nights Candle 

Grace+Love Candle Co. is a family business based in Virginia that painstakingly creates soy wax candles by hand in small batches so they can be diligent about maintaining consistently high standards. This Autumn Nights variety blends a mix of popular scents, including cinnamon, citrus, berries and pecan. Grace+Love Candle Co. Autumn Nights Candle, $14.30 at Grace+Love Candle Co.

Magnificent 101 Pure Sage Aromatherapy Candle

This Pure Sage candle from Magnificent 101 would come in handy for purifying your space and establishing a calm, relaxing ambiance. It’s made from organic white sage and 100% natural soy wax and is perfect for incorporating into a cleansing ceremony to banish negative energy. Magnificent 101 Pure Sage Aromatherapy Candle, $13.49 at Amazon 

Mise en Scènt Rom Com Candle 

Here’s a soy candle for movie lovers! Mise en Scènt is a small Brooklyn-based candle shop that makes candles with film-related names. The Rom Com variety has a fresh, floral scent with notes of peach, iris, amber and vanilla. Sets the perfect atmosphere for a night at home by the fire watching your favorite romantic comedies. Mise en Scènt Rom Com Candle, $36 at Mise en Scènt

Related: Is Burning Candles Bad for Your Health? 

Home Lights Salt & Caramel Candle 

This Salt & Caramel candle from Home Lights provides up to 35 hours of burn time, so you can enjoy the naturally captivating scent for a long time. It features an elegant lid and a luxurious design that makes it a great gift. Home Lights Salt & Caramel Candle, $14.99 at Amazon  

Maison Palo Santo Genuine Palo Santo Candle 

Palo Santo is a South American tree that is considered sacred because of its healing and cleansing properties. This pure candle from Maison Palo Santo is perfect for meditation, smudging, or calming the mind and body. Maison Palo Santo Genuine Palo Santo Candle, $43 at Amazon 

Cedar Crate Market Mama Bear Toasted Marshmallow Candle 

You just know a candle with a Toasted Marshmallow scent is going to be irresistible, and this one from Cedar Crate Market doesn’t disappoint. The blend of sandalwood, vanilla, and clove makes you feel like you’re making s’mores over a campfire. Cedar Crate Market Mama Bear Toasted Marshmallow Candle, $24.95 at Amazon 

Craft & Kin Fresh Linen Candle

If you love the smell of fresh-from-the-dryer laundry—and who doesn’t?—this Fresh Linen scent candle from Craft & Kin is for you. Made from essential oils and 100% natural soy wax, this candle provides up to 45 hours of burn time. Craft & Kin Fresh Linen Candle, $18.99 at Amazon 

Related: Top 25 Scented Christmas Candles  

Calyan Wax Co. Apples & Maple Bourbon Candle 

If your favorite French Toast recipe was converted into candle form, it would probably smell a lot like this Apples & Maple Bourbon Candle from Calyan Wax Co. You’ll get to enjoy the comforting scents of brown sugar, maple syrup, and baked apple for up to 40 hours of burn time. Calyan Wax Co. Apples & Maple Bourbon Candle, $22.99 at Amazon  

Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Honeysuckle Aromatherapy Candle

You are probably familiar with Mrs. Meyer’s brand of popular cleaning products, but you may not realize the company also makes candles produced from the same high-quality, natural ingredients you would expect from the name. This Honeysuckle candle is made from soy wax and essential oils, and has a sweet, floral scent that lasts for up to 35 hours of burn time. Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Honeysuckle Aromatherapy Candle (2 pack), $22.31 at Amazon 

Nature-Esque Cinnamon Snickerdoodle Candle

You can probably guess some of the scents you’ll enjoy with this Cinnamon Snickerdoodle candle from Nature-Esque. Prepare to be delighted by the smell of cinnamon, sugar, and vanilla which will make any room feel cozier and more inviting. Nature-Esque Cinnamon Snickerdoodle Candle, $35.99 at Nature-Esque

Goddess Garden Yuzu Citrus Aromatherapy Candle

Easily enjoy the soothing benefits of aromatherapy anywhere on the go with this Yuzu Citrus candle from Goddess Garden. The invigorating scent is created by a carefully formulated blend specifically designed to help boost your mood. Goddess Garden Yuzu Citrus Aromatherapy Candle, $17.99 at Goddess Garden

Archipelago Botanicals Botanico de Havana Soy Candle

Archipelago is a company that specializes in creating calming, luxurious bath products and this Botanico de Havana scent is their best-selling fragrance. Designed to evoke the feeling of a bygone era in Havana, this candle produces a musky scent created by a blend featuring natural ingredients like Tobacco Flower, Raspberry Bark and Orange Zest. Archipelago Botanicals Botanico de Havana Soy Candle, $23.99 at Amazon 

Ardent Flame Caramel Coffee Bean Candle

The name of this candle from Ardent Flame prompts you to imagine the scent of your favorite custom-blended coffee house drink. One reviewer noted that 10 minutes after she lit this candle, her entire room was infused with the sweet, rich smell of caramel coffee. Ardent Flame Caramel Coffee Bean Candle, $15.95 at Amazon 

Milkhouse Candle Company Milk & Sugar Candle 

Just the name of this Milk & Sugar candle from Milkhouse Candle Company will have you conjuring up comforting childhood memories of baking cookies at Grandma’s house. Featuring scents of vanilla and nutmeg, the 26-ounce version of this candle—made from soy wax accentuated with beeswax—provides up to 150 hours of burn time. Milkhouse Candle Company Milk & Sugar Candle, $24.20 at Amazon  

Santa's Naturals Snowfall Candle

If you love winter or enjoy the scents of the holiday season, you’ll likely love this Snowfall candle from Santa’s Naturals. Featuring a sweet, woodsy scent that might make you feel like you’re exploring a forest after the first snowfall, this candle provides up to 30 hours of burn time. Santa's Naturals Snowfall Candle, $14.99 at Amazon 

Misc. Goods Co. Valley of Gold Soy Candle

Misc. Goods Co. has a mission to create practical products that make life easier or more enjoyable while also supporting ethical manufacturing processes. Their Valley of Gold candle hits all of those marks—and lets you bask in the soothing yet mood-boosting garden scents of rose and lavender. Misc. Goods Co. Valley of Gold Soy Candle, $28 at Misc. Goods Co.

Child Perfume Scented Candle

Child Perfume is a fragrance that has developed a cult following among the celebrity set (and anyone who enjoys a subtle yet sexy scent), and the brand recently introduced this floral candle that gives off a bohemian vibe as relaxing as a stroll on your favorite beach. It’s vegan-friendly and perfect for helping you relax after a busy, stressful day. Child Perfume Scented Candle, $65 at Child Perfume 

Beachwaver B. Bungalow Whistler Winter Pine Candle

This B. Bungalow Whistler Winter Pine candle from Beachwaver is wisely named, as the scent perfectly captures the essence of a forest in winter. As a bonus, it’s topped with seed paper that you can plant. Beachwaver B. Bungalow Whistler Winter Pine Candle, $36 at Beachwaver 

Next up, learn about CandleTok, the Corner of TikTok obsessed with making and selling candles online. 

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