Organic Candles – Sustainable and Eco Friendly Beeswax, Soy and Rapeseed

Once you start looking, you’ll quickly realize that organic and natural candles are everywhere. In recent years, there has been a surge in demand for more eco-friendly, sustainable products, and candles are no exception. With the growing awareness of the environmental impact of conventional candles, many people are turning to natural options made from eco-friendly waxes, essential oils, and sustainable packaging.

Below are some helpful tips and recommendations to guide you in finding the best organic candles that align with your values and elevate your space with their warm, inviting glow.

Look for Natural Wax Options

When searching for organic candles, it’s important to consider the type of wax used. Look for candles made from soy wax, rapeseed wax, coconut wax, or beeswax. These are renewable, biodegradable, and burn cleaner than paraffin-based candles, which are derived from petroleum.

Check for Pure Essential Oils

Fragrance is a big part of what makes candles enjoyable, but not all fragrances are created equal. Opt for candles that are scented with pure essential oils rather than synthetic fragrances. Essential oils come from natural plant sources and offer therapeutic benefits in addition to their lovely aromas. Avoid candles with artificial fragrances, which can release harmful chemicals when burned.

Can candles be sustainable?

For a candle to be considered organic, it must be officially certified, which is rarely done due to various challenges. The process can be costly, time-consuming, and complex; new certification is required yearly. A candle can be sustainable without certification if the wick is organic cotton, for example, and the wax is local beeswax or rapeseed wax. It can also be sustainable if the candle comes in a recycled and recyclable glass jar, and the person who made it is paid a living wage.

What’s the most environmentally friendly candle?

Rapeseed wax, soy wax, and coconut wax are natural candle options, though they can sometimes be blended with paraffin or other additives, so it’s important to be mindful of that. Paraffin, a by-product of petroleum, is part of the fossil fuel industry, and while it’s a by-product, the process of drilling and burning fossil fuels isn’t exactly eco-friendly. Beeswax is another great choice for sustainable candles, as it can be both organic and locally sourced.

What is the least toxic candle material?

Many candle producers now add extra additives to ensure the longevity of the candles, for example, to ensure the wax stays a pretty colour and the scent remains strong. So avoid any with added ingredients. The ingredient list should only include wax, essential oils, and a non-toxic wick. Avoid burning very old candles, as there is likely to be lead in the wick. For other non-toxic products, try the vegan nail polish post.

Are beeswax candles worth it?

Beeswax candles often cost more than the alternatives if they are good quality. However, they are worth it for the scent, and if the wax is additive-free, they are also non-toxic.

What are the healthiest candles to burn?

Any natural candles with no additives that are made with high-quality ingredients, including wax, essential oils and a natural fibre wick, such as 100% cotton or wood. The wax itself could be beeswax, soy wax, coconut or rapeseed.

Where to buy organic candles?

Skär Organics produces the UK’s first and only organic candles certified by the Soil Association. The hand-dipped beeswax candles are beautiful. I particularly like the paprika-dyed dinner candles. I recently tried out the organic vetiver+ candle. It has a beeswax and coconut base and a lovely clove and cinnamon scent. It takes pride of place on the mantlepiece in the living room. Even without lighting it, the whole room is scented. Bliss.

Yellow Gorse hand-pours its eco candles in Dorset, England, using rapeseed oil, a cotton wick, and essential oils. Each candle has a unique therapeutic property. The Clarity candle with rosemary, geranium and mint sounds particularly good. The Kindred Folk candles are made in Scotland. The candles are crafted from a blend of rapeseed and coconut wax, a combination that’s gaining popularity. Since rapeseed wax can be difficult to source, coconut wax is added to enhance the blend. The Kindred Folk use a mixture of cotton and linen for wicks.

More sustainable candles

The Daylesford tomato candle is excellent because you can reuse the jar. However, I bought it for the scent. It smells like a tomato greenhouse. The website is a haven of natural and organic candles. Good luck trying to pick one!

The basil and mandarin candle is glorious. It’s a soy candle, hand-poured in Derbyshire, inspired by plants grown in the kitchen garden of Chatsworth Estate in England. I visited in the summer of 23, and it’s the most beautiful kitchen garden I’ve seen. The lemon basil and mandarin scent is lovely. It reminds me of walking past a Lush shop (in a good way). It’s intense and fruity.

Another candle inspired by a Victorian walled garden is the pink pepper and pomegranate candle from Applecross Candle Co. The candles are made in northwest Scotland using rapeseed wax from crops grown in the UK and Europe. Waxwing candles are refillable, so you only need to buy the jar once and can keep refilling it when it runs out. Throwing out the jar afterwards is always the worst part of burning a candle! For a few more candle recs, try the September post.

The Argan Skincare Candle

An eco-soy candle that turns into a massage oil sounds so relaxing. For the best experience, light the Douvalls Orangery Orchid candle for 30 minutes, then extinguish the flame and allow it to cool. Afterwards, the oil can be poured and used as a massage oil. Brilliant. For more relaxing tips, try the bath routine post.

Matches and other bits

One of the most exciting parts about lighting a candle is deciding which match to use. Matches come in all different shapes and sizes—at least, the box often does. Pastel-mix matches in a handmade ceramic pot, like these from Habulous, bring joy to match striking. The bird-shaped match striker pot has the striker underneath, which is impressive! Pottcandles has a similar match pot, along with refillable candle pots. A display tray is a great idea for keeping the candle safe. I use a cork base for my candles on the mantlepiece, and this handcrafted travertine display tray is lovely, too.

Every candle owner needs a wick trimmer. Trimming the wick makes the candle burn even, so it lasts longer with less smoke. The black stainless steel wick trimmers from Balancing Act Candle Co. would look perfect next to any candle. Try the Rose Gold Candle Wick Dipper from Hiltingbury Holistics to extinguish the flame. Gently dip the wick into the wax for a cleaner burn and an easier relight next time.

Subscribe for more

Subscribe to my Substack Newsletter for more sustainable tips, or follow me on Instagram.