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10 Best Non-Toxic Candles UK 2023

After a long day at work, it can be pure bliss to light a scented candle that creates a calming atmosphere, helping you to unwind. But did you know that most candles, even those marketed as “natural”, contain ingredients which are toxic for humans? Luckily, there are plenty of non-toxic options available too, such as beeswax and soy wax.

We’ve created a guide to help you understand which toxic ingredients to look out for and which alternatives to choose instead. Plus, we’ve compiled a list of recommended natural wax candles in a range of scents and shapes, from tea lights to pillar candles. Read on to discover our top 10 picks by brands like Neom Organics, True Grace, and Paddywax, to bring cosy warmth into your home!
Last updated 14/07/2023
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Table of Contents

How Are Some Candles Considered “Toxic”?

How Are Some Candles Considered “Toxic”?
Many of the ingredients used to make candles are the same as those found in nail polish remover and paint. In addition, one of the major ingredients in candles is paraffin, a by-product of petroleum waste. Paraffin wax releases carcinogenic toxins when burned, including benzene, acetone, carbon disulphide, and toluene.


Plus, paraffin releases soot particles, just like the exhaust on a diesel vehicle, which can affect the quality of the air around you. Some claim that inhaling these particles can cause headaches and respiratory issues such as asthma.


While there’s no clear evidence that burning regular candles once in a while will cause any serious health problems, purchasing a non-toxic candle will give you some peace of mind – making the sight of candlelight even more soothing.

How to Choose a Non-Toxic Candle in the UK – Buying Guide

Now that you're aware of the potential dangers of paraffin wax, let’s move on to how to choose a non-toxic candle. Here, we will guide you through some of the most common alternative materials that are used for both the wax and wick components.

1

Beeswax or Vegetable Wax; Choose Based on Your Scent and Vegan Stance

Beeswax and vegetable wax are two popular alternatives, which each have their own particular benefits. These natural materials will provide a warm glow without causing you to breathe in harmful fumes.

Beeswax Candles Are Honey-Scented and Produce Very Little Smoke

Beeswax Candles Are Honey-Scented and Produce Very Little Smoke
If you’re looking for a clean-burning candle which will emit very little smoke, beeswax is the perfect choice. Made by bees in their natural environment, it’s the most raw and organic material available. It also produces a light, sweet scent of honey when burning, so there’s no need for any added fragrances.


Be wary though, as some candles that are marketed as “beeswax” only actually contain a small amount – always check to make sure that the one you choose is made from 100% pure beeswax. Beeswax candles are also unsuitable for vegans, due to the nature of their production.

A Vegetable Wax Like Soy Is an Eco-Friendly and Long-Lasting Choice

A Vegetable Wax Like Soy Is an Eco-Friendly and Long-Lasting Choice
Vegetable wax is another popular natural material used to make candles; this type of wax is typically made from soya bean oil or rapeseed oil. Using the process of hydrogenation, the liquid oil becomes solid at room temperature. Soy is commonly used because it comes from a renewable source (soya beans) and is completely biodegradable, so it’s much better for the environment.


A candle made from vegetable wax will produce around a tenth less soot than one made from paraffin, and melts at a lower temperature so it has a much longer burn time. It also retains scents for longer, making it the ideal base for aromatherapy candles. And of course, because the wax is plant-based, it’s totally vegan-friendly!

2

A Non-Cored Wick Made from a Natural Material Is the Safest Choice

A Non-Cored Wick Made from a Natural Material Is the Safest Choice
Metal cores are sometimes used to create more sturdy wicks; however, they also release heavy metals such as lead into the air. Lead emissions can cause health issues such as hormone disruption, and may be dangerous to people with weak immune systems.


It’s important to be also aware that candles with metal-cored wicks are particularly hazardous to children, releasing five times the amount of lead which is considered safe for them to inhale. Therefore, it’s best to go for an all-natural, non-cored wick that doesn’t release any harmful toxins into the air when lit.


Non-cored wicks are usually made from cotton, paper, or wood, with the individual fibres of these materials being braided or twisted together. This allows the liquid wax to slowly move up to the flame, allowing it to burn consistently.

3

Beware of Artificial Scents Which Can Cause Respiratory Problems

Beware of Artificial Scents Which Can Cause Respiratory Problems
Artificially fragranced candles also pose a health risk, with ninety-five percent of the chemicals in synthetic scents being derived from petroleum – just like paraffin! These synthetic ingredients are specially formulated so that they will release fragrance upon being heated. However, these can irritate our eyes and skin, and may even cause respiratory problems after prolonged exposure.


If you want to enjoy fragrance without risking your health, you should look for a candle made using beeswax or essential oils. These natural ingredients will still provide a calming aroma but won’t bother your skin or airwaves. As even some candles that are advertised as aroma-therapeutic contain synthetic fragrances, always double check that the ingredients are definitely pure essential oils.

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Top 10 Best Non-Toxic Candles in the UK

Having gone through which ingredients to keep an eye out for, it’s time to check out our favourite products. From travel-sized tins to triple wick jars, we’ve got candles to suit all tastes and budgets!
Popularity
Products
Image
Click to purchase
Key features
1

Neom Organics

1. Neom Organics London Scented Candle – Happiness

Neom Organics  1. Neom Organics London Scented Candle – Happiness 1枚目

Organic Sunshine That’s Guaranteed to Make You Smile!

2

Skandinavisk

2. Heyland & Whittle Solutions Scented Candle – Sleep Easy

Skandinavisk 2. Heyland & Whittle Solutions Scented Candle – Sleep Easy 1枚目

A Gentle Fragrance That'll bring the Cosiness of Autumn to Your home

3

Paddywax

3. Paddywax Eco Green Glass Candle – Thyme and Olive Leaf

Paddywax  3. Paddywax Eco Green Glass Candle – Thyme and Olive Leaf 1枚目

Eco-Friendly and Invigorating, Perfect for Those With a Green Lifestyle

4

La Jolie Muse

4. La Jolie Muse Scented Candle Gift – Jasmine Blossom

La Jolie Muse  4. La Jolie Muse Scented Candle Gift – Jasmine Blossom 1枚目

Luxurious Eco-Friendly Style for a Low Price

5

True Grace

5. True Grace Scented Candle Tin – Village Seashore

True Grace  5. True Grace Scented Candle Tin – Village Seashore 1枚目

Fresh and Clean, This Candle Will Bring the Seaside to You

6

Bewell-Manor

6. Bewell-Manor Beeswax Triple Wick Candle – Focus

Bewell-Manor  6. Bewell-Manor Beeswax Triple Wick Candle – Focus 1枚目

Mint and Citrus Scents Combine to Boost Your Brain

7

Kiss The Moon

7. Kiss The Moon Aromatherapy Candle – Dream

Kiss The Moon  7. Kiss The Moon Aromatherapy Candle – Dream 1枚目

The Perfect Aid for Beauty Sleep

8

Scentered

8. Scentered Travel Size Aromatherapy Candle – Stress Less

Scentered  8. Scentered Travel Size Aromatherapy Candle – Stress Less 1枚目

Pocket-Sized With a Stress-Busting Scent

9

Goldrick

9. Goldrick Marble Pillar CandlePack of 2

Goldrick  9. Goldrick Marble Pillar Candle 1枚目

Delicately Scented With a Unique Texture

10

GoodLight

10. GoodLight Tea Lights – Box of 48Box of 48

GoodLight  10. GoodLight Tea Lights – Box of 48 1枚目

An Ethical and Affordable Multipack

If you don't see the product you're looking for, you can request that it be listed.
No.1

Neom Organics 1. Neom Organics London Scented Candle – Happiness

1. Neom Organics London Scented Candle – Happiness Image 1
Source:johnlewis.com
1. Neom Organics London Scented Candle – Happiness Image 2
Source:johnlewis.com
Reference price
£32.00
Reference price
£32.00

Organic Sunshine That’s Guaranteed to Make You Smile!

This bestselling candle from Neom’s “Scent To Make You Happy™” range is specially designed to make you feel more positive. Its complex blend of seven pure essential oils, including neroli, mimosa, and lemon, is intended to allow you to balance your emotions and to see the brighter side of life.

As well as smelling fantastic, this candle is ethically produced and is made from the highest quality organic ingredients. The triple wick also means that it burns for up to 35 hours, helping you to stay happier for longer. The long-lasting, beautiful scent of this luxurious candle makes it our top pick!
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No.2

Skandinavisk2. Heyland & Whittle Solutions Scented Candle – Sleep Easy

2. Heyland & Whittle Solutions Scented Candle – Sleep Easy Image 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
2. Heyland & Whittle Solutions Scented Candle – Sleep Easy Image 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£39.00
Reference price
£39.00

A Gentle Fragrance That'll bring the Cosiness of Autumn to Your home

This candle by Skandinavisk uses rapeseed wax which will burn evenly down to the bottom of its glass container. As the wax is blended with essential oils, it effortlessly adds a gentle refreshing fragrance to your surroundings, helping you to unwind.

The minimalist design on the frosted glass jar of this candle is delightful – modern, yet has a classic feel. It would fit nicely on a bedside table, but the compact design also makes it suitable for travelling. All in all, it’s a great budget-friendly way to lift the atmosphere of the room you place it in.
No.3

Paddywax 3. Paddywax Eco Green Glass Candle – Thyme and Olive Leaf

3. Paddywax Eco Green Glass Candle – Thyme and Olive Leaf Image 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
3. Paddywax Eco Green Glass Candle – Thyme and Olive Leaf Image 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£17.45
Reference price
£17.45

Eco-Friendly and Invigorating, Perfect for Those With a Green Lifestyle

Part of the Eco Green collection by Paddywax, this soy candle has been hand-poured into a recycled wine bottle and features a wooden lid. The invigorating fragrance, which combines fresh thyme with olive and a hint of lemon, manages to be just the right level of powerful without being too overwhelming.

The use of soy wax, recycled glass, and wood will appeal to environmentally conscious consumers. Additionally, the simple yet chic design means that this candle will look great in any room!
No.4

La Jolie Muse 4. La Jolie Muse Scented Candle Gift – Jasmine Blossom

4. La Jolie Muse Scented Candle Gift – Jasmine Blossom Image 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
4. La Jolie Muse Scented Candle Gift – Jasmine Blossom Image 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£15.99
Reference price
£15.99

Luxurious Eco-Friendly Style for a Low Price

This sophisticated glass candle from La Jolie Muse is made from soy wax and infused with 100% natural jasmine oil. Beautifully packaged in a box with a ribbon bow, it would make a lovely present for a friend or a special treat for yourself!

Not only does this soy candle look like a luxury product, but it has a rich fragrance that lasts for an impressive 60 hours. For under £20, it’s excellent value for money as well as aesthetically pleasing.
No.5

True Grace 5. True Grace Scented Candle Tin – Village Seashore

5. True Grace Scented Candle Tin – Village Seashore Image 1
Source:johnlewis.com
Reference price
£20.00
Reference price
£20.00

Fresh and Clean, This Candle Will Bring the Seaside to You

Wish you were at the beach instead of the office? The aroma of fresh seaside air can be found in this beeswax candle, which combines middle notes of geranium and neroli with base notes of moss and amber. If you close your eyes, you can almost imagine the sand between your toes.

As the design of this candle is minimalist, the stylish zinc container will suit any environment. So you can bring a little bit of sea breeze to any room you choose!
No.6

Bewell-Manor 6. Bewell-Manor Beeswax Triple Wick Candle – Focus

6. Bewell-Manor Beeswax Triple Wick Candle – Focus Image 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
6. Bewell-Manor Beeswax Triple Wick Candle – Focus Image 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£20.00
Reference price
£20.00

Mint and Citrus Scents Combine to Boost Your Brain

This hand-poured candle is designed to stimulate your mind, helping you to focus on whatever task is at hand. The combination of crisp peppermint and energising grapefruit will boost mental performance and reduce fatigue. These essential oils have been ethically sourced from around the world, and the candle itself is made from 100% pure beeswax.

With an uplifting fragrance and a triple wick design that ensures a burn time of up to 35 hours, this candle is ideal for those who need a natural pick-me-up when studying or working.
No.7

Kiss The Moon 7. Kiss The Moon Aromatherapy Candle – Dream

7. Kiss The Moon Aromatherapy Candle – Dream Image 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
7. Kiss The Moon Aromatherapy Candle – Dream Image 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£30.89
Reference price
£30.89

The Perfect Aid for Beauty Sleep

This elegant-looking candle is made from 100% soy wax, which has been hand-poured into a matte black glass jar. The braided cotton wick ensures a burn time of 50 hours, during which you can fully relax and enjoy the soothing lavender scent. Packaged in an Instagram-worthy black box with a neat bow on top, this candle is also aesthetically pleasing.

Made in England by a company which won Best New British Brand at the Pure Beauty Awards 2016, this candle would be a great gift for anyone needing a little extra beauty sleep. Whilst it’s rather expensive, the long burn time means that you will easily get your money’s worth.
No.8

Scentered 8. Scentered Travel Size Aromatherapy Candle – Stress Less

8. Scentered Travel Size Aromatherapy Candle – Stress Less Image 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
8. Scentered Travel Size Aromatherapy Candle – Stress Less Image 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£16.95
Reference price
£16.95

Pocket-Sized With a Stress-Busting Scent

This portable candle will make it easy to relax wherever you are, whether on holiday or a business trip. Handmade in England, it’s formulated with a calming blend of chamomile, neroli, mandarin, and jasmine. The ingredients are sustainably sourced and the candle’s packaging is 100% recycled, meaning it won’t harm the environment.

Free from toxins and synthetic fragrances, this aromatherapy candle burns purely with no risk of irritation. Although it’s a bit small for the price, its citrus aroma will be sure to improve your mood and melt away any stress; and if you're not a fan of the citrus they have 4 other scent options to choose from!
No.9

Goldrick 9. Goldrick Marble Pillar CandlePack of 2

9. Goldrick Marble Pillar Candle Image 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
9. Goldrick Marble Pillar Candle Image 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£25.99
Reference price
£25.99

Delicately Scented With a Unique Texture

Made from 100% beeswax with a pure cotton wick, this pillar candle consists entirely of natural materials. It’s made up of different types of beeswax in varying shades of yellow and gold, which are kneaded by hand to create the unique marbled texture. Even the packaging is made from recycled materials, so this is the ideal choice if you’re looking for an eco-friendly product.

The delicate scent of honey, which comes from the pollen and propolis in the beeswax, makes this candle a good choice for those who want to avoid synthetic fragrances. The only downside to this product is that it doesn’t come with a votive or a stand, so if you want to avoid wax leaking onto surfaces, you’ll need to buy something extra to place underneath it.
No.10

GoodLight 10. GoodLight Tea Lights – Box of 48Box of 48

10. GoodLight Tea Lights – Box of 48 Image 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
10. GoodLight Tea Lights – Box of 48 Image 2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£15.51
Reference price
£15.51

An Ethical and Affordable Multipack

Made from 100% palm wax, pure cotton, and aluminium, these tea lights are not only good for you but they’re environmentally friendly too. Even the packaging is made from recycled cardboard and is printed with vegetable ink! As an extra plus, Goodlight donates a portion of their sales to charity projects by Carbonfund.org and the Orangutan Land Trust.

Whilst these unscented, plain white tealights are a bit basic, the brand’s strong ethics are admirable and you get a good amount of candles for the price.

Looking for More Delightfully Scented Products?

Looking for More Delightfully Scented Products?

While traditional candles are perfect for creating that warm and cosy feeling, there are many other ways you can bring some warmth into your home without dealing with a flame and hot wax. If you want to create a calming atmosphere we've found some of the best alternative options available online, so have a look! 

Summary

Whether you’re looking to awaken your senses or unwind after a long day, we hope our buying guide has helped you to know what to look out for when buying a non-toxic candle. By choosing natural ingredients, you can still enjoy a moment of self-care without worrying about your health.


Author: Nicola McClements

Top 5 Non-Toxic Candles

No. 1: Neom Organics 1. Neom Organics London Scented Candle – Happiness

No. 2: Skandinavisk2. Heyland & Whittle Solutions Scented Candle – Sleep Easy

No. 3: Paddywax 3. Paddywax Eco Green Glass Candle – Thyme and Olive Leaf

No. 4: La Jolie Muse 4. La Jolie Muse Scented Candle Gift – Jasmine Blossom

No. 5: True Grace 5. True Grace Scented Candle Tin – Village Seashore

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