The 9 Best Natural Candles For a Clean Burn in Every Room
Plus, what to look for when choosing your next scent.
Clean and vegan formulas have taken beauty and wellness by storm, which includes a growing trend of non-toxic, natural candles. The Consumer Product Safety Commission banned the use of lead in the core of candle wicks in 2003, which was formerly used to hold them in place. “[Before the federal ban,] you would light a candle and immediately breathe in lead emissions, which caused elevated levels of [the toxin] in your bloodstream,” explains Tara Foley, founder and CEO of clean beauty brand Follain.
What to look for in a natural candle
The most common ingredient used in scented candles is paraffin—a wax made of petroleum byproducts—which, when burned, can emit soot into the air. Based on a recent study, natural candles (think: soy, beeswax, or non-GMO corn-based) have been shown to produce less soot than paraffin ones. If you're looking to update your collection while lessening soot production, Foley recommends looking for candles containing vegetable wax exclusively. “If it doesn't list a plant or vegetable wax, you should assume that it's paraffin,” she says. Foley also adds that your candle of choice should have a cotton wick that's ideally also organic. “If you see a wick with a heavy coating, I'd recommend inquiring as to exactly what it is,” she says. “As a customer, we have a right to ask questions—we just need to know what questions to ask.”
How to minimize candle soot in your home
According to the National Candle Association, soot produced by a candle is the,"natural byproduct of incomplete combustion," and composed primarily of elemental carbon particles (similar to what's given off by your toaster and cooking oils). To minimize the amount of soot released into the air while candles burn, the association recommends placing them in well-ventilated areas to avoid flame flickering. Another tip? Keep candle wicks trimmed and debris out of a their wax pools, which can also be helpful to maintain clearer air.
To help expand your list of well-scented favorites, read on for seven natural candles that add a little something extra to any space.
