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Candles are in the majority of homes (including ours!), but they’re not all made equally. Many candles contain paraffin wax, a hydrocarbon mixture that’s harmful to the environment. Thankfully, more fragrance brands are shifting to soy and nontoxic candle blends. These natural candles are cleaner, have longer burn times, and they’re safer for your home and the planet.
We’ve handpicked these nontoxic candles from brands emphasizing quality and sustainability. With a collection of rich aromatic scents, eco-friendly containers, and ethical production practices, these brands outshine the rest, so you can stay cozy all season long. 🕯️
While you’re at it, snuggle up with some organic sheets and bedding, too.
1. MADE by DWC
Features | Hand-poured in the USA, soy wax, gives back, social enterprise model
Burn Time | 40+ hours
Our Pick | Half Moon Bae
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.
2. 1502 Candle Co.
Features | Vegan, hand-poured in California, USA-grown soy wax, cotton & paper wicks, phthalate & petroleum free, woman-owned, 1% for the planet
Burn Time | 25–60 hours
Our Pick | Salt Water & AgaveÂ
Price | $18 for 4 oz., $40 for 10.7 oz.
For hand-poured boutique candles and nature-inspired fragrances, look no further than 1502 Candle Co. Founded in Ocean Beach, California, this local candle company started with homemade formulas and repurposed jars, eventually blooming into unique and inviting scent collections. Each ingredient and item is sourced with integrity, with the brand prioritizing recycled, locally grown and biodegradable supplies. Crafted with USA-grown soy wax, natural phthalate-free fragrances, and essential oil blends, the tins and jars can be easily recycled or repurposed for storage or decor. Try the top selling Salt Water & Agave fragrance for a complex and intoxicating scent that features ocean mist, agave flower, and tonka bean.
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3. P. F. Candle Co.
Features | USA-grown soy, cruelty-free, vegan, hand-poured in the USA, gives back
Burn Time | 40–70 hours
Our Pick | Teakwood & Tobacco
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 after!
4. Bijou
Features | Nontoxic, lead-free, USA-grown soy, vegan, cruelty-free
Burn Time | 50–140 hours
Our Pick | Judy (Cornbread & Maple Butter)
Price | $21 for 5 oz., $39 for 14 oz.
If you’ve ever purchased a designer candle, you’re probably familiar with the reluctance that comes with burning it; you want to wait for the right time. NYC couple Alaina and Jocelyn of Bijou understood this consumer dilemma, so they created a more affordable candle that retains the look and smell of a designer one. Each candle is named after a pop culture icon, including 70s singers, magical witches, and first wives. And these nontoxic candles last up to a whopping 140 hours, so you can burn freely!
5. Slow North
Features | USA-grown soy, small-batch, eco-friendly packaging, vegan, gives back, hand-poured in the USA
Burn Time | 40+ hours
Our Pick | Forest Bathing
Price | $24 for 6 oz., $36 for 8 oz.
Plant-based and sustainable candles, anyone? Slow North develops soy wax candles with 100 percent essential oil fragrances. Poured into American-made glass tumblers and packaged with sustainably sourced lids, nearly every part of these candles are recyclable or biodegradable. Our pick, Forest Bathing, is a homage to nature itself. Allow its scent to transport you to the wilderness—you’ll be glad you did.
6. United By Blue
Features | Certified B Corp, GMO-free soy, sustainable ceramic, lead-free, hand-poured in the USA, gives back
Burn Time | 50–90 hours
Our Pick | Wild Bramble
Price | $30 for 14 oz.; $40 for 18 oz.
Woodsy, refreshing, and completely comforting, United by Blue’s Mountain Peak candle is hand-poured in Philadelphia with GMO-free soy. This certified B Corp emphasizes sustainable practices, including clean burns with nontoxic ingredients, ethical production, and eco-friendly materials. Each of the candles lasts far longer than 40 hours, so you’ll feel like you’re in the woods all weekend long.
7. Made By Yoke
Features | Lead-free, vegan, cruelty-free, coconut-soy wax blend, offsets carbon emissions, gives back
Burn Time | 40+ hours
Our Pick | Presence
Price | $50–$55 for 8 oz.
Is this not the most beautiful nontoxic candle you’ve ever seen? Poured into hand-forged, brass-plated vessels (crafted by a traditional metalsmith), Made by Yoke’s candles are a sight to behold. Each offers us something we can all benefit from, with apt names like Intention, Abundance, and Ayurveda-inspired Vata. Presence, our favorite, is infused with neroli, bergamot, and lavender, and reminds us to be ever-present.
8. Candlessentials
Features | Hand-poured in the USA, coconut wax, small batch, eco-friendly packaging, gives back
Burn Time | 35–40 hours
Our Pick | Bold Awakening
Price | $32 for 6.5 oz.
Consider the creations from Candlessentials a gift that keeps on giving. Not only do the scents warmly fill your space, but each box is embedded with seeds that can be planted to produce beautiful wildflowers. On top of that, five percent of annual sales are donated to charity. Crafted in small batches with hand-poured coconut wax and essential oils, we’re loving Bold Awakening, a bright blend of green apple, red currant, and orange.
9. DANI Naturals
Features | Vegan, eco-friendly packaging, hand-poured in the USA, soy wax, cruelty-free
Burn Time | 40–60 hours
Our Pick | Citrus Rose
Price | $24 for 7.5 oz., $15 for 6 oz.
For clean-smelling and clean-burning candles, look no further than DANI Naturals. Lasting longer than traditional paraffin candles, these are made with 100 percent soy wax and packaged in recyclable containers and biodegradable wrapping. For aromatic cinnamon, black currant, and ripe pear, we love this winter-inspired candle. Grab the airplane-friendly travel tin as a gift or for yourself while you’re on the road!
10. Vellabox
Features | Supports small businesses, lead-free wick, hand-poured in the USA, eco-friendly packaging
Burn Time | 40+ hours
Our Pick | Subscription Box
Price | Starts at $12/month for 4 oz.
With Vellabox, your home can have an aromatic ambiance all year round. The subscription service—starting at $12/month for a 4 oz candle—partners with American small businesses to deliver curated scents to your door. (Or shop a la carte!) Candles use lead-free wicks, phthalate-free fragrance oils, and soy, coconut, or vegetable-based waxes. Plus, candles are hand-poured into glass jars and sent in reusable or recyclable packaging.
Featured image via P. F. Candle Co.
