Which Candles From Amazon Are Truly Non-Toxic? A Review

Updated in 2026

This article is an investigation and review of non-toxic candles from Amazon.

This is what I look for in a non-toxic candle:

Lead-Free Wicks

Lead wicks have been officially banned for sale and import in the United States since 2003 (source), but it’s possible you could still see leaded wicks in imported candles.

Look for 100% cotton or wooden wicks. If the wick stands up straight and can be bent around in different shapes that is indicative that there is metal in it.

Alternatives to Petroleum/Paraffin Wax

Burning paraffin wax releases volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air like benzene and toluene.

Paraffin is made from petroleum and seems to generate greater emissions than other waxes. (Source)

Paraffin also generates soot made of fine particles and PM2.5 the types of particulates that you don’t want to breathe in but do also exist in outdoor pollution (source).

In a basic test paraffin wax emitted 50- to 60-fold higher concentrations of PM2.5 than candles made of soy wax (source).

(Here is another study that showed higher soot in paraffin wax compared to soy wax).

Preferred Waxes

While all candles, even those made with natural waxes, give off soot as well as volatile organic compounds (source), beeswax, soy, or palm oil candles, burn cleaner (and longer) than those made with paraffin wax (source).

Soy wax for example, does not give off benzene and toluene (source).

Looking at wax alone, soy and coconut (coconut is always mixed with something else though) contain the lowest toxins of all the candle wax types in my evaluation here.

Beeswax contains more PAHs than soy and coconut, and in the studies that have been done, it can often contain moth proofing pesticide (p-dichlorobenzene), while other waxes have negligible to no pesticides. (sources here)

Organic beeswax should be better.

Note: Beeswax candles do not create negative ions or clean the air, this is an internet urban myth that is explained here.

We do know they do give off some soot.

Wax Melts vs Candles

Wax melts are not obviously safer than candles.

Wax melts are safer in terms of combustion products, but release more airborne scent compounds (VOCs) compared to candles.

This article contains affiliate links, upon purchase I earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Natural Essential Oil Fragrances

I prefer brands that have no fragrance for candles as it doesn’t always feel good to me when fragrance is burned, but if you do want a scent I prefer to use natural botanicals and essential oils to scent the candles.

Synthetic fragrances can emit phthalates (not all synthetic fragrances have phthalates) and VOCs and certainly bother many people (source).

However, it is possible that natural essential oils are more of an allergy trigger (source), and essential oils do still emit VOCs.

Most essential oils that have been tested so far also contain phthalates (but not at the level that synthetic fragrance stabilized with phthalates has) and some contain pesticides.

Here are also essential oils that are not safe to use around kids or pets so please look those up depending on what type of pet you have.

No Dyes Preferred

I prefer to avoid colored or dyed candles unless the dyes are natural.

The synthetic dyes used to color candles can have benzidine in them (source).

100% Beeswax, Unscented

These are the two brands of pure unscented beeswax candles that I trust the most.

They are 100% beeswax and they are made in the USA.

1. 100% Beeswax

BlueCorn candles are made of 100% beeswax with no petroleum wax or soy wax.

They don’t add any fragrance, it just has the natural aroma of beeswax.

They don’t use metal-core wicks (no lead).

They are handmade in the USA (Colorado).

They make beeswax candles in many different sizes including tea lights, votives, tapers, travel tins, and thicker pillar candles.

100% Beeswax with Essential Oils

1. 100% Beeswax With Essential Oils

These Bluecorn 100% beeswax candles are scented with real essential oils.

They come in Cedarwood, Nutmeg & Lavender, Cypress & Sandalwood, Eucalyptus & Orange, Lavender, Lemongrass, Cassia & Rosemary, Spruce, Tangerine & Geranium, Unscented, and Vanilla.

You can view all the options here.

This is a reputable, handcrafted, made-in-America brand.

100% Soy Wax Candles With Essential Oils

1. 100% Soy Wax

Slow North 100% soy wax candles made with essential oils.

They say they are made with 100% pure soy wax in a reusable frosted glass jar. Hand-poured in the USA.

They come in the following scents: Lemongrass + Tangerine, Eucalyptus + Lavender, Forest Bathing, Geranium + Rose, Grapefruit + Spearmint, Hello Sunshine, Lavender + Cedar, Lemongrass + Tangerine, Midnight Garden, Moonglow, Of The Sea, Orange + Clove, Rosemary + Lemon.

2. Calyan Wax Soy Wax

Calyan Wax candles are made of soy wax and they say they never use paraffin wax in the mix.

USA made.

They say they use essential oils and natural scents, but they also mention “fragrance oils” and “fine fragrance” which are terms that are usually used for synthetic fragrances.

Scents include: Palo Santo/Cypress, Rose/Peony, Aspen/Fog, Apples/Maple Bourbon, Cedar/Tobacco, Desert/Agave, Evergreen/Eucalyptus, Fraser Fir/Clove, Fig/Seagrass, Grapefruit/Flora, Home and Holiday, Lavender/Bergamot, Lemon/Sage, Musk/Teakwood, Oakmoss/Amber, Redwood/Vanilla, Seaside/Citrus, Smoke/Leather, Vetiver/Tonka.

3. Hyllest Soy Wax

Hyllest Soy Wax candles are made with essential oil.

I own this candle and it’s the one in the main photo of this article.

They say it’s made with 100% pure, organic, therapeutic-grade essential oils, all-natural soy wax and no dyes.

I didn’t burn this candle for a long time, I used it for decor and because it does give off a subtle scent even when not burning (though you have to be quite close to it to notice that).

It does seem like a natural scent to me. But when I burnt it it made me cough.

Now that I’m reading the description a lot closer, however, it does not say it’s 100% soy wax or that it is free of paraffin wax.

There are two scents, the Euphoric (which is the one I have) is sweet orange, jasmine, wild rose, heliotrope, Tupelo honey, and white vanilla.

The Rainforest scent is ceylon cinnamon, eucalyptus, peppermint, coriander, ylang, cedarwood, amber, and vetiver.

4. Benevolence, Soy Wax

Benevolence, Los Angeles candles have a masculine look to them with a black jar and some of them have black wax as well.

They say they are made with 100% soy wax (free of paraffin) and are scented with essential oils.

They come in various scents including Bergamot & Jasmine, Black Mulberry, Charcoal, Fig, Pine Wood, Rose & Sandalwood, and Santal.

Coconut Wax With Essential Oils

1. Hemlock Park Coconut Wax

The Hemlock Park candle is made with coconut wax, essential oils, and a wooden wick that crackles.

They say it’s handcrafted in the USA in small batches and made with natural coconut wax, crackling wood wicks, herbaceous and fresh fragrance blends made with essential oils.

However, coconut wax always needs another wax mixed with it to make candles and I didn’t ask them what that is here.

The fragrance is made of – Pomegranate, Mission Fig, Peach, Passion Fruit, Mandarin, Coconut, Orchid, Freesia, Acai, Balsam, Fig Leaves.

Unscented Coconut Wax and Jojoba Oil

1. Maude Burn Unscented Soy Wax

Want an unscented natural candle that is not made of beeswax?

Maude Burn No. 0 is an unscented jojoba oil and soybean oil candle.

You can use the melted oils as massage oils.

Since the oil from the candle can be used on the skin, it does seem to prove that there is no paraffin wax or beeswax in the candle (or there is very little beeswax) as that would feel very different on the skin.

The scented versions by this company are not natural scents.

Corinne Segura is an InterNACHI-certified Healthy Homes Inspector with certifications in Building Biology, Healthier Materials and Sustainable Buildings, and more. She has 10 years of experience helping others create healthy homes. You can book a consult here.