A non-toxic candle comes down to four things: a wax that is not made from petroleum, a phthalate-free fragrance, a wick with no metal core, and a maker who tells you all three. "Non-toxic" is not a regulated word, so the label alone means little. This page shows what to check, and how our candles compare.
The non-toxic checklist
| Check | What to look for | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Wax | Coconut, soy or beeswax. Not paraffin, and not an unnamed "blend". | Paraffin is made from petroleum. |
| Fragrance | Phthalate-free, and to IFRA standards if possible. | Phthalates were the old concern in scented candles. Good makers no longer use them. |
| Wick | Cotton or wood, with no metal core. | Lead-core wicks were banned in the US in 2003. A trimmed wick makes less soot. |
| Labelling | The maker states the wax, wick and fragrance. | A maker who does not list the ingredients is the real warning sign. |
What "non-toxic" really means
No candle gives off zero emissions. Any flame releases a small amount of fine particles, so fresh air in the room matters more than any label. "Non-toxic" is a practical standard. A candle that meets it does not fill your home with petroleum soot or phthalate fragrance, and when you burn it with care in a room with fresh air, the risk is very low. The candle to avoid is cheap paraffin with an unnamed scent and a smoky wick.
The wax name alone is not enough. Many candles sold as "soy" are soy-paraffin blends, and many "natural" candles do not say what the fragrance is. We explain more in Are Soy Candles Toxic?
Our candles, checked against the list
We pour every Gist of Light candle by hand, in small batches, in Kelowna, British Columbia. Our jar candles use coconut soy wax and our tins use soy wax. The fragrance oils are phthalate-free and meet IFRA standards, and the wicks have no metal core. We list what goes into each candle on its product page.
For a gentle floral, try Lavender Paradise. The Floral Trio gift box lets you try three scents at once. This fall, see our fall candles.
How to burn any candle with less soot
- Trim the wick to 6 mm (1/4 inch) before every burn. This does the most to reduce soot. See how to trim a candle wick.
- Keep it away from draughts, which make the flame flicker and smoke.
- Let fresh air into the room from time to time, especially in a small space.
- Do not burn it for more than four hours at one time.
When not to burn candles
If a person in your home has asthma or another breathing condition, even a well-made candle adds fine particles to the air. An unscented option or a flameless diffuser is safer. If you keep birds, most vets advise against any candle, because birds' lungs are very sensitive. We prefer to tell you this than to sell you the wrong product.
Frequently asked questions
What should I look for in a non-toxic candle?
A plant wax or beeswax, not paraffin. A phthalate-free fragrance. A cotton or wood wick with no metal core. And a maker who states all three openly.
Are soy candles automatically non-toxic?
No. Soy is a plant wax, but many candles sold as soy are soy-paraffin blends, and the fragrance and wick also matter. Read the full ingredient list, not only the wax name.
What is the healthiest candle to burn?
A candle with a plant wax or beeswax, a phthalate-free fragrance and a wick with no metal core. Burn it with a trimmed wick in a room with fresh air.
Are non-toxic candles made in Canada?
Yes. Several Canadian makers, including us, pour candles with plant wax and phthalate-free fragrance. Ours are poured by hand in Kelowna, BC, and shipped across Canada and the US.
Poured by hand in Kelowna, BC. Plant wax, phthalate-free fragrance, wicks with no metal core. Shipped across Canada and the US.