If you love a cozy, candle-lit home, you are so not alone. Scent is emotional. It’s comforting, nostalgic, and grounding. But here’s what most people never learned growing up: Not all candles are created equal, especially when it comes to what they release into your home’s air.
Many conventional candles, especially paraffin candles scented with synthetic fragrance oils, can emit VOCs (volatile organic compounds) such as benzene and toluene when burned. These chemicals contribute to indoor air pollution and can irritate your respiratory system, trigger headaches, or worsen allergies. The good news is, you don’t have to give up candles; it’s simply about choosing gentler alternatives.
That’s where beeswax, coconut-wax and 100% soy candles come in: simple, clean-burning options that don’t rely on synthetic fragrances or petroleum-based waxes.
Let’s walk through the research and the questions we get most often.
Why Are Conventional Candles a Hidden Source of Indoor Air Pollution?
Many conventional candles are made from paraffin, a petroleum by-product. When burned, paraffin candles can release pollutants.
Research has shown:
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Burning paraffin wax candles can emit benzene and toluene, both known respiratory irritants and potential carcinogens.
→ A study from South Carolina State University found that paraffin candles emitted "unwanted chemicals" including toluene and benzene when burned.
(South Carolina State University Study, 2009) -
Synthetic fragrance compounds can release additional VOCs and phthalates into the air.
→ The EPA notes that scented candles may emit pollutants such as acetaldehyde, formaldehyde, and acrolein from added fragrance oils.
(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2001 & 2017 Indoor Air Quality Reports) -
Indoor air can accumulate toxins more easily than outdoor air because ventilation is limited.
→ The World Health Organization estimates that indoor air can be 2–5× more polluted than outdoor air due to common household sources.
(WHO, Household Air Pollution Report, 2018)
No need to panic if you’re burning candles that fall under this category. We’re here to help you make informed choices, moving forward, that support better breathing, less irritation, and a cleaner home environment.
Why Beeswax and Coconut-Wax Candles Are a Safer Swaps
1. Beeswax Candles Release Negative Ions That Help Purify the Air
This is one of the coolest natural science facts:
- When burned, beeswax candles release negative ions.
- These ions bind to positive ions, which include common airborne contaminants such as dust, pollen, mold, and some toxins.
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When they bind together, the particles become heavier and fall out of the air, reducing what you breathe in.
Research supports this principle:
→ Studies show that negative ionization can reduce airborne particulate matter and allergens indoors.
(University of California, Irvine; Journal of Applied Microbiology, 2001)
While the negative ions from candles are not as strong as a powered ionizer, they do meaningfully contribute to cleaner air.
2. Beeswax and Coconut Wax Burn Cleaner Than Paraffin
- Beeswax and coconut wax do not release the same petroleum-based soot found in paraffin.
- Beeswax is naturally scented (light, honey-like), so no synthetic fragrances are needed.
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Coconut-wax blends burn slowly and cleanly, making them a safe option - especially when fragranced with essential oils instead of synthetic scents.
Research highlights:
→ A study in the journal Environmental Engineering Science found plant-based waxes (like coconut and soy) produced significantly fewer pollutants than paraffin.
(Environmental Engineering Science, 2007)
3. Beeswax Is Naturally Non-Toxic and Environmentally Friendly
- It’s biodegradable.
- It’s a natural by-product of beekeeping.
- It contains no chemical fillers or additives.
As the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program notes:
→ Beeswax is a natural material free of industrial chemical additives.
(SARE Bulletin on Beekeeping, 2016)
What About Candle Wicks? Do They Matter?
Yes. Always choose:
- 100% cotton wicks
- Wooden wicks
- Lead-free wicks (lead wicks were banned in the U.S. in 2003, but still show up in foreign or unregulated products)
Research note:
→ The CPSC found that some imported candles still contained lead-cored wicks even after bans, which can release lead dust into the air when burned.
(U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 2003)
How to Shop Smarter: Simple Guidelines
When you’re choosing candles:
The Better Options
✔100% beeswax
✔ Coconut-wax or coconut-soy blends
✔ 100% soy
✔ Essential-oil scented (not “fragrance”)
✔ Cotton or wood wicks
✔ Dye-free when possible
What to Avoid
✖ Paraffin wax
✖ “Fragrance” or “parfum” without transparency
✖ Metal-core wicks
✖ Overly perfumed candles
✖ Candles that produce visible black soot
A Realistic Approach: Keep Your Rituals, Just Clean Them Up
You don’t need to toss every candle in your house. Instead, try this:
- Transition slowly, replace candles as you finish them.
- Use beeswax tapers or coconut-wax jars for your main living spaces.
- Reserve scented candles for short bursts rather than hours-long burns.
- Consider diffusing essential oils if you want scent without combustion.
The goal is awareness over perfection. (Deleted extra spaces). And once you experience how clean beeswax or coconut-wax candles burn, it’s hard to go back.
The Bigger Picture: Why This Matters for Your Well-Being
Your home is your healing environment. (Deleted extra spaces). It’s where you sleep, breathe, recover, and recharge. Small choices, like swapping the wax in your candles, collectively reduce your “toxin load” and support better sleep, calmer breathing, and lower inflammation over time.
This is the heart of AWEAR: (Deleted extra spaces) simple, science-backed swaps that help you feel better in your body…without losing the comforts that make life joyful.
By: Melissa Coulier & Melanie Samuels, Co-Founders of Live Well Lead Well.
