Let's Talk Candles! The Benefits of Clean Burning Candles!

Candles can do wonders for creating a warm, inviting atmosphere in your home, but not all candles are created equally. Many conventional candles on the market are made with paraffin wax, a byproduct of petroleum, which, when burned, can release toxins and soot into your living space and into the air you breathe. However, there’s a cleaner, healthier alternative available—clean-burning candles made from responsibly sourced palm oil, coconut oil and soy blends, or beeswax and coconut oil blends. In this blog, we’ll dive into the benefits of choosing these clean-burning candles over traditional ones and how they can make your living space warm, relaxing, healthier and more eco-friendly.

Traditional Candles

As previously mentioned, most conventional candles are made from paraffin wax, and  when burned paraffin candles can release harmful chemicals such as toluene and benzene—both of which are known carcinogens. Additionally, the synthetic fragrances and dyes often used in these candles can release pollutants that negatively impact air quality and can lead to respiratory issues, headaches, and other health concerns, especially for those with allergies, asthma, or scent sensitivities.

The Clean-Burning Candle Advantage

1. Healthier Air Quality

• No Toxins: Clean-burning candles made with responsibly sourced palm oil, coconut oil, soy, and beeswax emit little to no toxins, unlike their paraffin counterparts. This means you can enjoy the ambiance of a lit candle without worrying about what you are inhaling.
• Reduced Soot Production: These candles burn cleaner, resulting in significantly less soot and smoke. Soot from paraffin candles can leave black marks on your walls, ceilings, and furniture, and it has to make you wonder, what it leaves in your lungs!

2. Longer Burn Time

• Efficiency: Natural wax blends like soy, coconut, palm and beeswax generally have a slower burn rate, which means they last much longer than paraffin candles. This makes them not only a healthier option but also more cost-effective in the long run.

3. Eco-Friendly and Sustainable

• Renewable Resources: Candles made from palm oil, coconut oil, soy, and beeswax come from renewable sources. Soy and coconut are plant-based and biodegradable, while beeswax is a natural byproduct of beekeeping, making it an eco-conscious choice. Responsibly sourced palm oil is obtained from plantations that adhere to sustainable practices, avoiding deforestation and supporting fair labor.
• Less Environmental Impact: Since clean-burning candles are free from petroleum-based ingredients, their production has a smaller carbon footprint. By choosing these candles, you’re supporting environmentally friendly practices that are better for our planet.

4. Natural and Subtle Fragrance

• Non-Toxic Scents: Clean-burning candles often use essential oils or natural fragrance blends, which provide a more authentic, subtle aroma without the use of synthetic chemicals. This means you can enjoy your favorite scents without the worry of inhaling harmful additives.
• Enhanced Aromatherapy: When you burn candles made from coconut oil, soy, or beeswax, the natural wax itself has a pleasant aroma that enhances the overall scent experience. For example, beeswax has a naturally sweet, honey-like scent that pairs beautifully with essential oils.

5. Supporting Ethical and Small Businesses

• Many clean-burning candle brands are small, independent businesses that prioritize sustainability, ethical sourcing, and quality over mass production. By choosing these candles, you’re often supporting companies that are committed to environmentally friendly practices and fair labor standards.

The Differences Between the Various Clean-Burning Candle Blends

Let’s take a closer look at some of the popular clean-burning candle waxes available:

1. Soy Wax

• Made from: Hydrogenated soybean oil
• Benefits: Biodegradable, renewable, burns slowly and cleanly, is known for holding fragrance
• Ideal for: Those who want a longer-lasting candle that holds scent.s

2. Coconut Oil and Soy Blends

• Made from: Pure coconut oil and blended with soy wax
• Benefits: Burns slowly, cleanly, and evenly; has a beautiful creamy texture; throws scent exceptionally well
• Ideal for: Those seeking a luxurious, smooth burn with a rich fragrance experience
• Check out of these wonderful coconut oil and soy wax blends from Doshi Candles.

3. Responsibly Sourced Palm Oil

• Made from: Palm oil harvested from sustainable sources
• Benefits: Burns cleanly, has a high melting point for a longer burn, and is a renewable resource when responsibly sourced.  Additionally, they are a very attractive candle with a marbleized appearance.
• Ideal for: Eco-conscious consumers who want a clean burn without sacrificing burn time.
• Doshi Candles makes these beautiful palm candles, which are responsibly sourced, have tremendous scent throw and with three wicks so you can control the scent. 

4. Beeswax and Coconut Oil Blends

• Made from: A combination of beeswax and coconut oil
• Benefits: Beeswax is a natural air purifier that releases negative ions when burned, helping to neutralize pollutants. This blend burns longer and cleaner than most other waxes and has a naturally sweet scent.
• Ideal for: Those who want a luxurious, long-lasting candle that also purifies the air, especially a fantastic for those who suffer from allergies or asthma.
• Check out these beautiful beeswax blended (70%) with coconut oil (30%) candles made by Beach Bees.  She guarantees a “Headache Free” experience provided candle care is maintained.

Clean-burning candles provide a soothing, toxin-free environment, allowing you to relax and enjoy your space without compromising air quality or sustainability.

Final Thoughts

Candles should bring joy, relaxation, and warmth to your home—not any health concerns, whether its as small as a headache or as concerning as breathing in known carcinogens. By choosing clean-burning candles made from natural, responsibly sourced ingredients, you’re taking a step toward creating a healthier, more eco-friendly lifestyle. Whether you opt for a soy coconut blend, palm oil, or beeswax and coconut blends, these candles offer a safer, longer-lasting, and more sustainable way to light up your space, while still providing the cozy, warm atmosphere you desire.