Dani On The Loose

  • HOME
  • START HERE
    • START HERE
    • Affiliate Disclosure
  • CONTACT
  • BLOG
    • Vegan Nutrition FAQs
    • Plant based Recipes
    • Clean Beauty
    • Travel
    • City Restaurant Guides
    • Nontoxic Home
    • Sakara
    • DOTERRA ESSENTIAL OILS
  • Discount Codes
  • SEARCH

Are Candles Toxic?

January 11, 2021

non-toxic-candle-options-dani-on-the-loose

Let’s talk about clean candles 101. I have to admit, I actually got the idea to do this post when I was researching which candles to buy for myself this past pandemic year! After being at home all day everyday, it became even more clear to me that making sure our homes are clean and chemical free, and that we are supporting our immunity, is of utmost importance. Afterall, we breathe the air in our homes almost 24/7 and our indoor environment is one of the biggest factors in overall health. 

Non toxic living in combination with a whole food plant based diet is what my health coaching business is based around, so I tend to share a lot of content around switching over to cleaner products. (PS I even have a clean beauty e-book here!) It seemed like a lot of you guys were interested in nontoxic home tips after I shared this post on Instagram. And during the fall and winter seasons, there is nothing we all love more than a relaxing, scented candle to make us feel cozy. But’s let’s first chat about why candles can be toxic.

 

Why Conventional Scented Candles Are Toxic

I hate to burst your bubble but to be blunt, that Glade Pumpkin Spice is full of harmful, chemical SH*T. Unfortunately, most candles are toxic because they contain fake fragrance and are made of paraffin wax which is petroleum based. The issue is that this even without being burned, they release toxic VOCs (volatile organic compounds) into the air in your home. As Branch Basics cited, these include:

-phthalates that disrupt hormones
-asthmagens that cause asthma
-carcinogens that cause cancer
-obesogens that cause weight gain
-neurotoxins that affect mood and brain function

And this is all before the candle is even lit! When burned, there are another slew of issues that occur. For one, conventional candles release a number of toxic carcinogens aka cancer causing chemicals- including formaldehyde, for example. 

Additionally, burning paraffin wax causes ultrafine soot particles to remain in the air in your home for hours. These particles get deep into the lungs and are absorbed into your bloodstream. 

Wicks also commonly contain metal cores made of zinc, tin, or lead if bought outside the US. These cores release trace amounts of toxic heavy metals into the air. Yikes, think about that toxic buildup for a person who has lit a candle even just a few times a week, year over year of their life.

Are Candles Toxic? natural candle options

Less Toxic Candle Options

So, what are some clean, nontoxic candle options? How can you know what is safe to buy? I LOVE the ambiance candles set so I’m totally with you on wanting to still use them- but I don’t want to compromise my health for the sake of faux scent. 

 

Here a few tips when candle shopping

SCENTS

Avoid labels marked with “fine fragrance”, “high-quality fragrance”, or “parfum”. Even terms like “natural fragrance” and “phalate-free fragrance” can be tricky to decode. Those mean the candle was made with some percentage of synthetic fragrance, aka mostly petroleum. Instead, look for candles scented only with 100% pure essential oils.

WAX

Check the wax. Like we talked about earlier, we want to avoid paraffin wax candles because of the petroleum. Petroleum (paraffin wax) = BAD. Better options are going to be your soy wax, coconut wax, vegetable wax, and beeswax (which we’ll specifically talk about in a bit!) But make sure to look for paraffin-free and/or 100% coconut/soy/beeswax. Otherwise, the candle could be a blend of paraffin and one of the safer wax options. For example, maybe 75% paraffin and only 25% soy wax.

WICK

Look for either cotton wicks that are unbleached OR wood wicks. We do NOT want any wicks made with heavy metals. As This Organic Girl states, if a candle is marketed as a “lead-free wick,” keep in mind this is a greenwashing tactic. This is because the US Consumer Product Safety Commission placed a national ban against manufacturing, importing, or selling candles with lead wicks way back in 2003, due to safety and health concerns.

 

Best Clean Option – Beeswax Candles

100% beeswax candles made with 100% cotton or wood wicks are going to be your best bet when switching over to less toxic candles. My Mom recently got me really into beeswax candles- she picks them up from the Waco, TX Farmer’s Market all the time. If you know her cancer story at all, then you know making the transition to a nontoxic lifestyle was a huge part of treating the disease holistically. So for her, beeswax candles have been a perfect replacement! 

Beeswax candles burn clean with no soot, no chemicals, AND they produce into the air these special little things called negative ions. These negative ions actually clean the air rather than pollute it! They attract the opposite- positively charged particles in the air like dust, pollen, animal dander, etc. Then they drop them out of the air you are breathing and onto the floor. So they would get cleaned up next time you vacuum or dust. 

I personally love Big Dipper Wax Works beeswax candles. I found them in my local Austin, TX Whole Foods. The Beeswax Company is also good (local to Texas!)

 

Other Natural Candle Companies

Here a few other clean options to try if you’re looking for something with more of a scent:

Lite + Cycle

Milk + Honey 

Dear Sundays (I love their non-toxic nail polish too!)

Terralite

Fontana Candle Company

 

So there you have it! Was this post helpful? Want more nontoxic home tips? Have a fave non toxic candle company we should know about? Comment below!

Until next time.

XOXO, Dani

 

Leave a Comment · Nontoxic Home

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

SUBSCRIBE BY EMAIL

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING?

WELCOME, HERE IS WHAT YOU’LL FIND AT DANI ON THE LOOSE

HOLISTIC HEALTH AND WELLNESS FOR THE GREEN GIRL ON THE GO – FOCUSED ON HEALING ACNE FROM THE INIDE OUT

Categories

  • City Restaurant Guides
  • Clean Beauty
  • Dallas
  • Health Coaching
  • Holiday
  • Holistic Lifestyle
  • LA
  • Nontoxic Home
  • Plant based Recipes
  • Sakara
  • Travel
  • Vegan Nutrition FAQs

LET’S GET SOCIAL

  • Amazon
  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Snapchat
  • TikTok
  • Twitter

daniontheloose

Last weekend’s b-day trip to see my parents (mom Last weekend’s b-day trip to see my parents (mom has been working with EuroMed foundation for alternative cancer treatments, great resource for anyone needing it!!) and have a little Labor Day weekend reset! Had the best time visiting my fave Scottsdale/Phoenix restaurants @kaleidoscopejuice & @tocayaorganica .Also was obsessed with @civanaresort and had a fun time forcing Garrett to do a sound bath mediation with me lolz. The spa & on site restaurants were sooo good, super health conscious and lots of gluten + dairy free and vegan options. The matcha pancakes and homemade hot sauce were to die for. 
Until next time, AZ! 💚🌵🏜️🎂🎈🍾
French Riviera bringing me back to life!! Best tri French Riviera bringing me back to life!! Best trip living off bread, champagne, and perfecting my “bonsoir” and “merci” lolz.
Check out Part 1 caption with a lot of my wellness travel must haves 🇫🇷🤍

#europeansummer #healthytravel #southoffrance
France Part 1 - went to @cannes_lions festival wit France Part 1 - went to @cannes_lions festival with @dearmediastudio - such a cool experience to see all things creator economy, advertising, influencer marketing, and brand innovation. 

Favorite Wellness Hacks that got me through all the meetings & networking events:

- @d.o.s.e.y travel supplement case filled with @arrae.co bloat, @sakaralife multi vitamin and metabolism powder, @clearstemskincare acne supplement, @cymbiotika super greens, vitamin C, Zinc, @maryruthorganics vitamin D, and much more.
- travel size nebulizer to kill any germs and viruses that might get in the lungs from airplane circulated air, crowded spaces, etc
- @purity_coffee organic one cup on the go coffee tea bags
- @boiron homeopathic jet lag medicine and travel kit 
- @livelarq filtering water bottle 
- my @ninjakitchen mini travel blender for smoothies on the go (posted about on my TikTok, it was a game changer!) with @artisanamarket cashew butter packets and @truvani plant based protein packets 
- @doterra immunity boosting on guard hand sanitizer, wipes, essential oils digest zen and deep blue, their nontoxic deodorant & sunscreen stick 
- @sakaralife plantbased protein bars, energy effervecents, and detox tea 
- @bungalow.cafe.cannes for juices, smoothies, healthy eats and the best avocado toast when I needed a break from pasta 
- also my @cholulahotsauce travel packets because I can never find hot sauce in Europe and need it with lemon on everything lolz 

Xo, D

#wellnesstravel #healthytravel #canneslions #cotedazurfrance
@dearmediastudio 2nd annual IRL event in Austin th @dearmediastudio 2nd annual IRL event in Austin this past weekend- I remember @michaelbosstick describing the company vision to me about community events 5 years ago (before I had the amazing team we do now & when the brand partnerships department was literally just me, myself, & i lolz!) Fast forward here we are again with over 500 people coming to see some of their fave creators in person, experience brand activations, & spend the day with us! Super rewarding to see all this come to life after the behind the scenes planning since last year. Lucky to work with such incredible people & brands.

Next IRL coming SOON to a NEW city in the fall 🎤🎙️📰🎧🏙️🤠
We had to say goodbye to my best pal Caesar aka pu We had to say goodbye to my best pal Caesar aka pup on the Loose this past weekend. I feel like no one prepares you for this kind of grief you experience losing the pet that was ride or die with you through your 20s and all the life changes and growth that decade brings. He was by my side through it all. I got Caesar almost 12 years ago when I was a senior in college, preparing to graduate and then move to NYC. We adopted him from Fuzzy Friends in my hometown Waco, Tx where he was rescued from a puppy mill in Austin. He lived on both coasts during his life (NYC and LA!) and he truly went everywhere with us like Vegas, New Orleans, Palm Springs, Big Sur, and so much more. I can’t thank him enough for the unconditional love and comfort he gave me from 20 to now almost 33. Rest in peace my little angel. Love ya Always and forever🤍🦴🐾🐶
Earlier this month when I became an aperol spritz Earlier this month when I became an aperol spritz gurl 🇮🇹🍝🍕🍹

My fave wellness-y stuff I forgot to take good content of from this trip:
@d.o.s.e.y travel pill case for my millions of supplements - took @arrae.co everything, @cymbiotika super greens, and alot of @doterra vegan Lifelong Vitality 

@livelarq water bottle with built in filter

@superhumanapp travel meditations

@piquelife teas, @drinklmnt electrolytes, and @purity_coffee travel packs

@averraglow clear skin elixir, cleansing nectar, and serums

@sakaralife metabolism powder travel packets every AM and detox bars for snacks

Xo, D
Are the youths calling these DITLs? Lolz Here are Are the youths calling these DITLs? Lolz
Here are the details of some of my go to brands/faves from this day in the life:
-AM meditation: @doterra emotional aromatherapy essential oils kit + @superhumanapp app
-always in my work bag: @piquelife tea, @sakaralife bars, @drinklmnt packets 
-AM smoothie: @truvani is my go to plantbased & clean ingredient protein powder + @artisanaorganics nut butters (protein + healthy fats will keep you full for longer)
-skincare routine w/ nontoxic @averraglow acne fighting products (also love clearstem!!) 
-clean makeup @lawless @crunchicollection 
-smoothie @juiceland here in Austin (my ride or die spot for healthy plant based eats)
-organic and clean wine (only thing I drink at home really) from @dryfarmwines bc extra extra low alc content (some less than 10%) & prevents any hangovers 
-and PM windown red light mask with @higherdose 

Xo, D

#dayintheoffice #dayinmylife #dearmedia #holistichealthcoach #plantbasedlifestyle #nontoxiclifestyle
a New York minute- quick trip last week filled wit a New York minute- quick trip last week filled with work meetings, plantbased restaurants, and a little sibling hang time all in one (my brother is there, shoutout Andrew lolz!)
I lived in NYC for a brief stint in my early 20s over a decade ago and it always re-energizes me when I go back. One of my favorite places in the whole world. So much hustling and good plantbased food this trip. Fave spots we hit up: any restaurant by Matthew Kinney (Bar Verde and Double Zero), Juice Press locations everywhere, Coletta, abcV, and Butcher’s Daughter. Save for these healthy spots your next visit to the city! Xo, D

#plantbasedrestaurant #plantbasedhealth #nyctrip
Load More... On The Loose on Insta

CERTIFIED HOLISTIC HEALTH COACH

LATELY

  • 6 Ways To Remove Toxic Chemicals In Your Home
  • 4 Tips for Rebalancing Gut Health to Clear Breakouts
  • 20 Ways To Start Using Essential Oils

Archives

  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • November 2017
  • October 2017

Copyright © 2025 · Simply Pro by Bloom Blog Shop.