What Are The Healthiest Candles To Burn In Your Home? A Guide to Natural Wax Options

With the changing of the clocks on the horizon and the air becoming more crisp and cold, the search for beautiful, luxurious candles to fill your home and lift the mood begins. But with such a plethora of candles available to select from, choosing the best and healthiest candles for your home can be overwhelming. Not all candles are created equal, particularly when it comes to health and environmental impact, so how on earth do you know what are the healthiest candles to burn in your home?

Traditional paraffin wax candles, a by-product of petroleum, can release harmful toxins into the air when burned. In contrast, natural wax options like rapeseed, coconut and soy offer a cleaner, healthier alternative. In this blog, we’ll explore what makes a healthy and non-toxic candle, the benefits of natural wax candles and why they might be the best choice for your home.

Understanding Paraffin Wax

Paraffin wax candles are by far the most common type found on store shelves because of their cheaper production costs, making them far more affordable compared to natural wax candles. While they burn brightly, they do however, come with significant downsides. When burned, paraffin wax can contaminate the air in your home by releasing volatile organic compounds such as benzene and toluene, both of which are harmful and toxic chemicals linked to respiratory issues and considered to be human carcinogens. Additionally, paraffin wax releases black smoke when burned which causes dirty and soot-stained walls. With all these points in mind, it may be best to burn paraffin wax candles only outdoors rather than inside your home.

Natural Wax Options

Rather than paraffin, look for natural wax, non-toxic candles as a way to enjoy a healthier and cleaner home. Natural wax candles include plant-based soy, coconut and rapeseed (also known as canola) and beeswax. These natural wax candles are all biodegradable and break down over time without any remaining or harmful residues. They come from renewable resources and burn cleanly with minimal smoke and soot, making them a healthier choice for both your well-being and the environment. Natural waxes also tend to last longer than paraffin because they have a lower burn temperature, so giving a slow, even burn.

Soy and beeswax are the most popular, but interestingly, coconut and rapeseed are fast becoming hailed for their eco-friendliness, superior scent throws and luxurious feel.

1. Soy wax is made from the oil of soybeans. Although soy wax is more eco-friendly and sustainable than paraffin, it has been associated with large amounts of deforestation (particularly in South America) and the large quantities of pesticides used within the industry.

2. Beeswax comes from bees during the process of making honey and is therefore not a plant-based wax. Unlike the other natural waxes, beeswax is hypoallergenic (great for people with allergies) and it is known to emit negative ions which is said to help purify the air by reducing allergens and pollutants (although there is no scientific proof for this). Although beeswax candles produce less soot, burn brighter and last longer than other waxes, they don’t have as sophisticated a scent throw as other natural waxes and so don’t hold fragrance as well.

3. Coconut wax is a newer type of wax and is fast gaining popularity due to its eco-friendliness and superior scent throw, meaning it holds and distributes fragrance really well. It is made from the meaty, white flesh of coconuts, making it a plant-based and vegan-friendly wax. Even though coconuts are a high-yielding crop, coconut wax is more expensive than soy wax. The good news is however, that coconut trees can be cultivated in a more controlled and sustainable way compared to soybeans as they require minimal water and pesticides, making them more eco-friendly and supportive of sustainable agricultural practices and therefore, representing a greener alternative.

4. Rapeseed wax is a plant-based, vegetable wax, naturally derived from the oil of yellow rapeseed plants that are so abundant in fields all over the UK, Europe and North America throughout the summer months. Whether wild or farmed, bees love the nectar from rapeseed flowers, so growing more rapeseed is actually beneficial for bees. For candle brands and makers this side of the hemisphere, rapeseed wax represents a more sustainable option compared to other imported waxes due to its lower carbon footprint. With its smooth and creamy consistency, rapeseed wax is a softer wax and has an excellent scent throw, so it retains fragrance really well, even when unlit. When lit, the lower melting point ensures a gentle evaporation of fragrance from the wax pool, which allows the scent to linger for longer.

Candles have become an important part of everyday life due to their ability to create a warm ambience and promote relaxation. Their soft, flickering light encourages mindfulness and reflection, making them a staple in rituals for self-care and meditation. Candles are also deeply associated with the power of scent and the different fragrances can evoke memories and enhance emotional well-being, so deepening their significance in our daily routines.

For us at Cocorose London, we wanted our range of candles to embody our values and commitment to quality, sustainability and responsible practices. Collaborating with our artisan candle maker, Elodie, we researched and developed candles that are both healthy and luxurious. We explored and experimented with the different natural waxes and we found that a blend of rapeseed and coconut waxes gives us an indulgent range of natural, non-toxic and sustainable candles that prioritise exceptional scent throw whilst remaining environmentally responsible.

Additionally, we use cotton wicks interwoven with a linen thread, which helps to produce an even, steady burn and minimises afterglow and smoking.

Hand-made and hand-poured locally in Muswell Hill, London by Elodie in only small, controlled batches, our sustainably-sourced, vegan candles are an excellent choice for those who appreciate a pure and clean burn. With eight different fragrances to select from, you can decide whether you prefer a spa-like ambience with Lemongrass & Ginger, a sophisticated fragrance of Pomegranate Noir, or Christmas-in-a-candle with Orange & Cinnamon.

Why not explore our range of beautiful and healthy candles here and make your home even more enjoyable this season.