The 10 Best Nontoxic Candles For A Clean And Cozy Home

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A simple way to change the mood or freshen up a space is to light your favorite candle and let it transport you. Most of us have some sort of candle in our homes, whether you save them for special occasions or use them weekly; it’s important to note that not all candles are created equal! As we learn more about our bodies and the environmental effects that contribute to our health, questions come up about burning scented products in the home. We’d like to take a moment to unpack a few common questions about using candles and learning how to enjoy them in the healthiest and most sustainable way!

Are candles bad for our health? In short, natural and synthetic fragrances are a core part of our daily home care, but that doesn’t make them completely healthy. Both fragrances and household products can contain VOCS (Volatile Organic Compounds), which, according to the National Library of Medicine, can “trigger various acute and chronic pathological conditions because of repetitive human exposure to indoor environments at home and workplaces.” This means prolonged, consistent exposure to anything that releases fragrance can harm your health, especially if you are sensitive. Burning candles for long periods can also lower indoor air quality if the space isn’t well ventilated.

What to look for in safer, nontoxic candles: For special occasions, or for those of us who love candles and the warmth they bring to our spaces, safer, cleaner options are available to minimize health risks. For this reason, it is important to consider the types of candles we allow in our home. To start, natural waxes like beeswax, soy, or coconut wax are less inflammatory and produce less soot. Avoid anything made with paraffin wax, as it can release indoor pollutants into your home. When thinking about fragrance, labels also matter. Look for labels that say phthalate-free and paraben-free, and choose candle companies that use pure essential oils or fragrances certified safe by the International Fragrance Association (IFA).

As we know, scents are integral to our home and mood. In one of our deep dives into this topic, The Science of Scent and Wellbeing, Jessica Bragdon, co-founder of Koala Eco, notes that “Scent is neurologically unique: It has a direct pathway to the limbic system, which governs memory, mood, and emotion.” It can be hard to give up the feelings and memories tied to having scents around the home; that is why we’ve put together a list to help with choosing candles with the safest, most eco-friendly ingredients, which is a great way to feel better about the fragrances you allow into your sacred space.

Also, if you want to explore using natural fragrances over a longer period of time, check out our list of diffusers for non-toxic fragrances.

1. P. F. Candle Co.

Non-toxic Ingredients | USA-grown soy, cotton wicks, phthalate-free fragrance oils
Burn Time | 40 – 70 hours
Scents | Teakwood & Tobacco, Golden Coast, Amber & Moss
Price | $24 for 7.2 oz., $34 for 12.5 oz.

Los Angeles-based P. F. Candle Co. creates the most divine blends, all poured into apothecary-inspired amber jars. What started as a one-woman shop is now a thriving business with 90+ employees. We love the Teakwood & Tobacco, the brand’s original scent. A mixture of leather, teak, and orange, this natural blend reminds us of a cozy day. Burn with confidence—these candles are paraben-free, phthalate-free, and made with cotton wicks. Plus, they can be recycled afterward!

2. Flamingo Estate

Non-toxic Ingredients | USA-grown soy wax, cotton wick
Burn Time | 40+ hours
Scents | Roma Heirloom Tomato, Sage, Douglas Fir and Vetiver
Price | $60 for 8 oz., $200 for 26 oz.

The Flamingo Estate candles are beloved for their captivating, transportive scents that evoke lush gardens, coastal escapes, and aromatic kitchens. Hand-poured in Los Angeles with 100% vegetable soy wax and natural essential oils, these candles are crafted for an immersive experience with scents like tomato, rosemary, and jasmine & rose. With fully recyclable glass and responsibly sourced packaging, these candles add a thoughtful and luxurious touch to any space. One customer even described them as “the perfect candle for feeling like you’re in a cozy Nancy Meyers kitchen with the ideal playlist”. We’re on board with that!

A lit candle in a glass holder is surrounded by a variety of tomatoes of different colors and sizes.

A green candle labeled "Climbing Tuscan Rosemary" is surrounded by rosemary foliage.

3. Fontana Candle Co.

Non-toxic Ingredients | Beeswax, coconut oil, wooden wicks, essential oils
Burn Time | 35+ hours
Scents | Pure Vanilla, Cinnamon Orange Clove, Warm Flannel
Price | $25 Single or $70+ for a 3+ jar bundle

Fontana Candle Co. creates natural, clean-burning candles made from beeswax, coconut oil, and wooden wicks. We love their commitment to safe, non-toxic practices; in fact they are their candles are the first candles to be certified MADE SAFE®! Their scents are cozy and grounding, perfect for the upcoming colder months. Their Pure Vanilla Jar Candle is one of their most highly requested scents, beautifully capturing the warm, comforting smell of pure vanilla bean without being overpowering. These candles are crafted for individuals prone to allergies or sensitivities, making Fontana Candle Co. a safe choice for all types of homes!

Four candles in glass jars displayed with wooden blocks, oranges, ginger, pine branches, and vanilla beans against a maroon background.

Three scented candles in glass jars labeled Pure Vanilla, Cinnamon Orange Clove (lit), and Lemongrass Eucalyptus are arranged side by side against a white background.

4. Nose Dive

Non-toxic Ingredients | Coconut and soy wax, cotton wick
Burn Time | 40+ hours
Scents | Amber Hour, The Daily, Montauk, Nightcap
Price | $42

Nose Dive’s candles are moody and sophisticated, the perfect investment to elevate your environment in subtle, soft ways. Their scents, like Amber Hour, have rich notes of amberwood, jasmine, fir & patchouli – the best balance for quiet days or cooler nights. Each candle from Nose Dive is hand poured in small batches using a coconut and soy wax blend. We love that their candles are vegan, cruelty-free, phthalate-free and paraben-free!

A hand lights a brown candle with a match; four boxed candles labeled “NOSE DIVE” are stacked beside it. The background is brown.

5. MADE by DWC

Non-toxic Ingredients | Soy Wax
Burn Time | 40+ hours
Scents | Half Moon Bae, Big Sur, Nap Valley
Price | $26 for 6 oz., $32 for 10 oz.

Created by Los Angeles’ Downtown Women’s Center, MADE by DWC is a social enterprise that provides employment and skill-development opportunities to women transitioning out of homelessness. The women have hand-poured these soy wax candles, and each is named after a Golden State landmark. Our favorite is the Half Moon Bae, named after the Californian coastal city (Half Moon Bay), and it boasts notes of cardamom, clove, and vanilla. The perfect blend of salty, spicy, and sweet.

6. East Fork

Non-toxic Ingredients | Soy blend, cotton wick, stoneware
Burn Time | 25+ hours (small)
Scents | High Timber, Seaglass, Still Life, Forage Moon
Price | $32 small – $68 large

Add a special touch to your space with East Fork’s deliciously smelling candles and adorable packaging! The best thing about finishing a candle is saving the jar to use around your home. East Fork’s candles are designed to be enjoyed long after their life with their reusable stoneware vessels! With scents for every occasion, we are feeling called to scents like High Timber, a warm, wintry and woodsy scent and the coastal touch of the scent Seaglass for notes of fresh sea mist and jasmine.

A white and brown ceramic candle sits on a wooden tray with a labeled candle container and some matches nearby.

A speckled ceramic candle sits on moss next to dark leaves, a wasp nest, and a large brown moth resting on the candle rim.

7. Primally Pure

Non-toxic Ingredients | Beeswax, coconut wax, organic essential oils
Burn Time | 25+ hours (6oz.)
Scents | Cool Citrus Breeze, Sweet Floral Sage, Crispy Smoky Woods
Price | $54 for 6oz. $70 for 90z.

Primally Pure focuses on candles that naturally produce negative ions through beeswax (to help purify the air) and non-toxic aromas, making your next candle-burning experience as serene and beneficial as possible. We love their Cool Citrus Breeze candle, which is inspired by the scents of a Southern California summer; notes of sweet florals, bright citrus, and flower blossoms make up this candle, perfect for your next afternoon daydream. We are also fans of their Sweet Floral Sage candle with essential oils from pink grapefruit, wild lavender, and white sage.

A green “Sweet Floral Sage” candle is lit on a wooden surface next to some leafy branches, with soft sunlight casting shadows.

A lit candle labeled “Warm Citrus Spice” sits on a wooden table next to a black dish, a book, and a white textured pot.

8. Hara Home

Non-toxic Ingredients | Natural coconut, soy, beeswax, natural fragrance, cotton wick
Burn Time | 50+ hours
Scents |Hurkle-durkle, Sombremesa, Hara
Price | $78

If you see lighting candles as part of your weekly ritual or return to self, Hara Home’s selection is crafted to perfectly support those quiet moments of reflection and relaxation. The word Hara means “belly” in Japanese; its meaning is tied to what these candles are meant to connect you to – your truest center. We are drawn to the scents of hurkle-durkle (bed lounging), meant for those slower mornings before the day has fully begun, with notes of linen, soft citrus, and floral drift. We also love sobremesa (table stories) for those nights you stay up late indulging in fruitful conversations – this blend includes notes of sacred basil, garden mint, violet leaves and myrtle.

A brown glass candle labeled “hara (home)” sits on a white surface, with its wooden lid marked “HARA” leaning against it.

A brown glass candle labeled “hara (home)” sits lit with smoke above the wick, next to an open matchbox, burnt matches, instruction cards, and the candle’s packaging box.

9. Element Brooklyn

Non-toxic Ingredients | Soy blend wax, cotton wick
Burn Time | 60+ hours
Scents | In Full Bloom, Campfire Stereo, Dusk In Eden
Price | $32 (with container), $20 (candle refill)

Element Brooklyn’s candles are made to withstand everyday routines, with reusable designs that deliver high-quality fragrances and essentials for your home, plus thoughtful refillable options. Close to home, they hand-pour their candles in their Bushwick factory, and when you finish a staple fragrance, you can order a refill, reuse the original glass container, and follow their dedicated candle refill instructions on their page. We’re drawn to the In Full Bloom fragrance, inspired by a blooming garden at the height of spring. We also love the Campfire Stereo scent, with notes of pink pepper, chestnut, and vanilla.

A lit burgundy candle in a glass holder sits on a pink box next to a white candle refill on a white box, both labeled “Element Brooklyn Dusk in Eden.”.

Two white votive candles and two votive candle holders, one red and one green, both labeled “Element Brooklyn,” set against a plain light background.

10. Quince

Non-toxic Ingredients | Clean-burning soy wax blend, cotton wick, glass vessel
Burn Time | 60+ hours (9oz)
Scents | Ginger Cardamom, Mediterranean Fig, Peony Dusk
Price | $24 (9 oz), $100 (70 oz)

We love Quince for its expansive collection of non-toxic candles in all shapes and sizes! There are many options for when you need a beautiful centerpiece, like the Mediterranean Fig 7-Wick Luxury Candle with notes of ripe fig, amber, and white cedar, or something for soothing days like the Ginger Cardamom candle with a warming blend of bergamot, ginger, cardamom, and orange flower. Each candle is hand-poured in the US and features a clean-burning soy wax blend, cotton wick and recyclable glass vessel.