Healthy Candles to Burn: What to Look For (and What to Avoid)

If you’ve ever bitten into that first moment of candle-lit calm and thought, “What am I really breathing in?” — you’re not alone. Lighting a candle should feel like a warm hug, not a gamble on indoor air quality. Let’s walk through how you can fill your home with safe, soothing light — and why making the right choice matters now more than ever.

Why the Question Matters

Burning a candle is simple, right? But beneath the flicker lies a cocktail of wax, wick, fragrance, and heat — and each element affects what ends up in the air you breathe. According to the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM), one long-standing concern is how volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and soot from candles contribute to indoor air pollution. Good Housekeeping reports that ventilation and material quality make all the difference.

For those with asthma, sensitive airways, or an eye on long-term air quality in their home, choosing wisely is a small step with real payoff.

What to Avoid: Candles That Raise Red Flags

• Paraffin wax base — Derived from petroleum, paraffin has been flagged by experts as “worth avoiding” for indoor use because it may generate greater emissions of soot and VOCs compared with plant-based waxes. (Cleveland Clinic)
• Generic “fragrance” label — If the scent list is a black box of synthetic chemicals and the wick is unclear, you might be inviting un-tracked ingredients into your space. Experts say: if you can’t pronounce it, it may be worth skipping.
• Low-cost, high-volume candles — Sometimes the budget buy comes with hidden costs: faster burn, more soot, larger melt pool. One study summarized by Verywell Health noted that cheaper formulations often release more particulates indoors.

What to Look For: The Clean-Burn Checklist

• Natural wax base — Soy, coconut, or beeswax for a slower, cleaner burn.
• Transparent fragrance oils or essential oils — The safer bet is when the brand lists what’s in the scent and avoids phthalates or other volatile synthetics.
• Cotton or wood wick — Free of metal cores or compounds and trimmed to ¼ inch before lighting.
• Clearly disclosed ingredients — When a candle brand says “what you see is what you burn,” you can trust it.
• Well-designed burn pool + wick length — Let it melt edge-to-edge on first burn and never leave unattended.

Why It Matters to You — and How We Do It at Soy & Serenity

At Soy & Serenity Candle Co., our philosophy is rooted in wellness: hand-poured micro-batches, soy-based wax, cotton wicks, and fragrance blends you can linger in — not rush through.

When you choose one of our candles, you’re choosing:

• a clean burn that respects your air,
• a scent story that invites calm and comfort, and
• a product made with care from our studio to your space.

FAQs: Your Top Questions Answered

Q: Are soy candles always “non-toxic”?
A: No wax is zero-risk, but plant-based options like soy generally release fewer harmful emissions when well-made and properly used. The key is transparency in ingredients and safe burn practices.

Q: I have pets & children — is it safe to burn candles?
A: Yes — with a high-quality candle, good ventilation, and safe placement (out of paw or reach), a well-crafted candle can be part of a safe, cozy environment.

Q: Does scented mean more risk?
A: Not necessarily. Scented candles release VOCs like any fragrance-based product — but the bigger variables are wax type, wick design, and burn conditions (ventilation, wick length, container).

Further Reading

• Good Housekeeping — Are Candles Bad for Your Health?
• Cleveland Clinic — Are Candles Bad for You?
• Verywell Health — Are Scented Candles Bad for You?