Many conventional candles (much like conventional beauty products) contain toxins. A report from the Environmental Protection Agency referenced research that measured traces of lead and formaldehyde above cancer-causing thresholds, among other chemicals that are harmful to health, particularly in people who have preexisting respiratory conditions like asthma. Here’s a checklist of what to look for when shopping for new candles, plus a few recommendations of clean-burning candle brands. “Too large a wick for the vessel will cause the container to get really hot and produce heavy amounts of soot and residue. Too small of a wick won’t produce any fragrance, and it will create a well of leftover wax on the side of the candle container,” said Hannah Hosemann, candlemaker and founder of ELEMENT candles. So if you notice your candle is producing soot or leaking wax, it may be the size of your wick. Choose a 100% cotton wick or look for a wick made of wood, like cherrywood, which doesn’t create ashy, sooty residue inside the container or surrounding walls. Many candles are a blend of paraffin and another wax but will call it a “beeswax” candle, for instance, so read your labels or reach out to the brand if you’re not sure. Unfortunately, this lack of transparency could be masking whether the product contains allergens, toxic ingredients linked to illness, and known endocrine disrupters like phthalates. Go for products that specify that they’ve used 100% naturally derived essential oils, are phthalate-free, or further explain the “fragrance” to be natural and nontoxic. Pseudonym, Ellis Brooklyn ($65) Northlands, Keap ($55) Candle N°1, Follain ($38) Pure Calm Wellness Candle, Uma ($68) The Art Of Staying In, AMASS ($48) Amber Candle, LAFCO ($70) Neroli & Musk, Peacesake Candle & Co ($38) Botanic Sea, ARDOR BIN ($46) Ginger Vanilla Coconut, Pure Plant Home ($20) Urban Forest Essential Oil Candle, Lite + Cycle ($55) Musk 2, ELEMENT ($36) Beeswax Pillar Candle, Bee Organic (From $7)
