Non-Toxic Candles: What the Label Means and What to Look For

Short answer: no candle is completely free of emissions. Anything that burns gives off some soot and fine particles. What separates a cleaner-burning candle from a smoky one comes down to four things you can check: the wax, the wick, the fragrance, and how you burn it. Here is what each one means, what the research actually says, and how to read a candle label without the hype.

What "non-toxic" means on a candle label

There is no single test or seal that makes a candle "non-toxic." When a brand uses the term, it usually means the candle avoids ingredients people worry about most: lead in the wick, phthalates in the fragrance, or petroleum-based wax. Those are real choices, but they do not change the basic fact that a flame burns fuel and releases combustion byproducts. A better question than "is this candle non-toxic?" is "what is this candle made of, and how do I burn it well?"

What the research says about candle emissions

A 2014 study published in Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology evaluated volatile organic compounds and particles released by scented candles. The authors concluded that under normal use, scented candles do not pose known health risks to consumers. Normal use is the key phrase. A candle burned in a closed room, in a draft, or with a long, untrimmed wick will smoke more than one burned the right way.

If you have asthma, allergies or a sensitivity to scent, burn candles in a well-ventilated room, burn them for shorter stretches, or skip the flame and use a fragrance spray instead. Your doctor can tell you what makes sense for you.

What to look for in a cleaner-burning candle

1. The wax

Most candles are made from paraffin, soy, coconut or beeswax, or a mix of them. Paraffin is a byproduct of petroleum refining. Soy wax comes from soybean oil, and coconut wax from coconut oil, so both are renewable plant waxes. Plant waxes generally melt at lower temperatures, which helps a candle form a wide, even melt pool.

Be wary of any brand that claims paraffin is toxic and soy is perfectly clean. Head-to-head studies comparing the two are limited, and every wax produces some soot when it burns. Many people choose plant waxes because they are renewable and because they like how they burn, and that is a perfectly good reason.

2. The wick

In 2003 the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission banned the manufacture and sale of candles with lead-cored wicks, after testing showed some could release lead into the air. Today's wicks are typically cotton, paper or wood. A wooden wick burns with a soft crackle and a wide, low flame. Whatever the material, a wick that is too long makes a tall flame that smokes.

3. The fragrance

Scent comes from fragrance oils, essential oils, or both. Phthalates are a family of chemicals, and one of them, diethyl phthalate (DEP), is used as a solvent and fixative in some fragrances to help the scent last. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says it does not have evidence that phthalates as used in cosmetics pose a safety risk. Even so, many people prefer to avoid them, and because individual fragrance ingredients do not have to be listed on a label, the only way to know is a clear "phthalate-free fragrance" statement from the maker.

4. The vessel

Look for a sturdy, heat-safe container that sits flat. A reusable ceramic or glass vessel is also less waste once the candle is done.

Soy vs paraffin candles at a glance

Are soy candles non-toxic?

Soy candles are made from a renewable plant wax and, like any candle, produce some soot and particles when they burn. A well-made soy candle with a lead-free wick and phthalate-free fragrance, burned the right way, is a sensible choice for people who want a cleaner, plant-based candle. Just keep in mind that the burn habits below matter as much as the wax.

How to burn any candle cleaner

1. Trim the wick before every burn. The National Candle Association recommends trimming wicks to ¼ inch before each use to prevent high flames and soot. With a wooden wick, gently pinch off the charred tip before you relight.
2. Keep it out of drafts. Open windows, fans and air vents make the flame flicker, and a flickering flame smokes.
3. Ventilate. Burn candles in a well-ventilated room.
4. Let the first burn melt to the edges. A full melt pool on the first burn helps prevent tunneling and an uneven, sputtering flame later.
5. Stop at ½ inch. The National Candle Association advises stopping when ½ inch of wax remains.
6. Put it out gently. Use a snuffer or blow softly, then check that the wick is fully out. Never use water, which can make hot wax splatter.
7. Never leave a burning candle unattended, and keep it at least 12 inches from anything that can catch fire.

Our candles

Every Kanna Botana candle is hand-poured in small batches in Temecula, California, with a mix of hemp, soy and coconut waxes, phthalate-free fragrance, and a natural wooden wick for a soft crackle. Each one comes in a reusable matte black ceramic vessel.

• Black Roses (14 oz): gardenia and hemp flower over tobacco leaf, smoke and rhubarb, with palo santo, sandalwood, vetiver and amber.
• Espresso Martini (14 oz): roasted coffee and bittersweet chocolate with coconut, almond, honey, caramel and burnt sugar.
• Tennessee Whiskey (8 oz): orange, bergamot and clove over midnight orchid and leather, with oak cask, musk and patchouli.

Want scent without a flame? Our Everything Sprays, like Pink Prosecco, are made with phthalate-free fragrance and work on linens, fabrics and the air.

Non-toxic candles FAQ

Is any candle truly non-toxic?

No candle is free of emissions, because burning always produces some combustion byproducts. What you can control is the wax, the wick, the fragrance, and how you burn it.

Are paraffin candles toxic?

A 2014 study found that scented candles used normally do not pose known health risks. Many people still choose plant waxes because they are renewable. Either way, trimming the wick and avoiding drafts makes the biggest difference to soot.

What does phthalate-free fragrance mean?

It means the fragrance is made without phthalates, such as diethyl phthalate, which is sometimes used to help a scent last. Because fragrance ingredients are not listed one by one on labels, a clear statement from the maker is the way to know.

Are wooden wicks safe?

Wooden wicks are lead-free and burn with a wide, low flame. Like any wick, they burn cleanest when you remove the charred tip before each burn.

Why is my candle making black smoke?

Usually the wick is too long or the candle is in a draft. Put it out, let it cool, trim the wick, and move it away from fans, vents and open windows.