For some, lighting a candle is part of a self-care ritual—a moment to relax in a flickering glow and take in a pleasant fragrance. But sometimes what’s diffused into the air is much more than a calming scent. Candles with a main ingredient of paraffin wax can release toxins into the air.
“The problem with paraffin is that it is a petroleum waste product that is chemically bleached, and it can emit the carcinogens benzene and toluene when burned,” says Carol Han Pyle, founder of Nette, a new line of nontoxic candles.
The type of wax isn’t the only factor that can contribute to a candle’s toxicity. “There are also ingredients in fragrances that can be problematic,” says Pyle. “Some fragrances emit chemical vapors just like petroleum emissions from cars.” Those vapors are also known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and can be linked to headaches, breathing problems, asthma, and other long-term health effects.
In the world of fragrances, ingredients aren’t regulated and brands aren’t required to reveal every detail of their formulas—which means you don’t always know what you’re burning when you light a candle. In response we’ve seen a growing trend toward nontoxic candles, and several companies like Nette are offering sophisticated scents with a fully transparent list of ingredients.
“In a pinch, look for brands that freely list not only the fragrance notes in their candles but all the ingredients in them as well,” says Pyle. “That’s a great sign that there’s nothing nasty lurking in them.” Read on to discover some of our favorite nontoxic candles.
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