Ben Carter
Candles have been around for centuries, with the Romans using animal fat as candles and the ancient Chinese empire discovering sperm whale oil and beeswax. Today, many candles are made from paraffin wax, a byproduct of the petroleum refining process, which is not vegan-friendly. Vegan candles, on the other hand, are made from sustainable, plant-based ingredients like soy wax, coconut wax, or other vegetable waxes. These materials are biodegradable and renewable, offering a cleaner burn without harmful chemicals or toxins. They also burn slower and last longer than paraffin wax candles. With a variety of scents, colours, and designs, vegan candles are a great way to support small businesses and artisans who prioritise ethical practices, sustainability, and quality.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Soy wax, coconut wax, palm wax, vegetable wax, sand, essential oils, cotton, wood, hemp |
| Free from | Animal-derived ingredients, beeswax, stearic acid, animal by-products |
| Properties | Biodegradable, renewable, clean burn, free from harmful chemicals or toxins, longer burn time |
| Wick | Cotton, wood, hemp, paper |
| Scents | Pumpkin spice, figgy pudding, fresh laundry, mother nature, patchouli, amber, tobacco leaf, vanilla bean, sandalwood, Egyptian musk, palo santo, pine needle, midnight breeze, Cuban mojito, rose blossom, lemongrass, salted grapefruit, gingerbread, orange zest, apple blossom |
| Brands | OHROS, Self(ish) Company, Run With Wolves, Octō, Flamingo Candles, Olivine and Ruby, Aflame Candles, Notino, ASOS, Kalamazoo Candle Company, The Flame Candleworks Company, Good Humans, Greenridge Herbals, Hanna’s Candles, Natural Soy Scented Candles, Nature’s Gifts, Pangea Vegan Products |
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What You'll Learn
- Vegan candles are made from plant-based, sustainable ingredients like soy, coconut, or vegetable wax
- They are free from animal-derived ingredients such as beeswax, stearic acid, and animal fats
- Vegan candles are cruelty-free, eco-friendly, and biodegradable, making them a popular choice for ethical consumers
- You can find vegan candles in a variety of scents, colours, and designs, often handcrafted by small businesses
- While paraffin wax is widely used, it is not vegan-friendly due to its petroleum by-product origin and potential health risks
Vegan candles are made from plant-based, sustainable ingredients like soy, coconut, or vegetable wax
Soy wax is a popular choice for vegan candles as it is natural, biodegradable, and derived from plants. It offers a cleaner burn than paraffin wax and is widely used in both affordable and luxury candles, making it easily accessible. Soy wax also has a lower melting point than paraffin, resulting in a slower burn and longer-lasting candle. Additionally, soy wax is renewable and environmentally friendly when sourced from organic and sustainable suppliers.
Coconut wax is another excellent option for vegan candles. It provides a beautiful white colour and effectively retains added scents and colours. Coconut wax burns well and evenly and is compatible with most common wicks. It is a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative to paraffin wax, which is derived from petroleum refining and can release harmful substances when burned.
Vegetable waxes, such as hydrogenated rapeseed oil, are also commonly used in vegan candles. These waxes are made from a variety of plants and offer a sustainable and renewable option. Vegan candles made from vegetable waxes provide a clean burn without exposing individuals to potentially harmful chemicals or toxins.
When choosing vegan candles, it is important to look for those made by small businesses and artisans that prioritise ethical practices, sustainability, and quality. These candles are not only good for you but also for the planet, aligning with values of environmental stewardship and social responsibility. With a variety of scents, colours, and designs available, you can find unique and customizable options that fit your personal preferences and home decor.
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They are free from animal-derived ingredients such as beeswax, stearic acid, and animal fats
Vegan candles are made from plant-based, animal-free ingredients. They are free from animal-derived ingredients such as beeswax, stearic acid, and animal fats.
Beeswax is a common ingredient in traditional candles. It is a substance secreted by bees, similar to how humans sweat. It is used for its opacity, and it also has a long burn time and a pleasant honey-like scent. However, beeswax is not considered vegan because its farming requires bee labour and the removal of honeycomb.
Stearic acid is another common ingredient in candles, often used to harden the wax and make it opaque. While stearic acid can be derived from coconut, most candle-makers opt for the cheaper alternative, which is animal fat.
Animal fats, also known as tallow, have been used in candles for centuries. Tallow is solid fat derived from animals such as sheep or cows. While it was a practical way to utilise animal byproducts, it did not have a pleasant smell. Today, animal fats are still used in candles, often as slaughterhouse byproducts.
Vegan candles instead use plant-based waxes such as soy, coconut, or other vegetable waxes. Soy wax is a popular choice for vegan candles because it is natural, biodegradable, and derived from plants. It also has a slower burn and longer burn time compared to paraffin wax. Coconut wax is another option that burns well and evenly and holds added scents and colours effectively.
Vegan candles are free from animal-derived ingredients, ensuring no animals are harmed in the production process. They are also often handcrafted by small businesses that prioritise ethical practices, sustainability, and quality.
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Vegan candles are cruelty-free, eco-friendly, and biodegradable, making them a popular choice for ethical consumers
Vegan candles are made from sustainable, plant-based ingredients like soy wax, coconut wax, or other vegetable waxes. These materials are biodegradable and renewable, making them an environmentally friendly choice. They are free from animal-derived ingredients such as beeswax, stearic acid (often sourced from animal fat), and other animal by-products. This means no animals are harmed in the production process, making them cruelty-free.
Vegan candles are a popular choice for ethical consumers who want to avoid supporting animal cruelty and environmentally harmful practices. They offer a clean burn without exposing individuals to potentially harmful chemicals or toxins that may be released by paraffin candles, such as benzene and toluene, which are known carcinogens.
While paraffin wax is affordable and widely used, it is derived from petroleum and is not vegan-friendly or eco-friendly. It also requires additional hardening with stearic acid, which often comes from animal fat. On the other hand, soy wax is a natural and biodegradable alternative that delivers a much cleaner burn than paraffin wax. It is derived from plants and has a lower melting point, resulting in slower burning and longer-lasting candles.
Vegan candles are often handcrafted by small businesses and artisans, offering unique and customizable options. By choosing vegan candles, consumers support companies that prioritize ethical practices, sustainability, and quality. These businesses are committed to producing products that are beneficial to both the consumer and the planet, aligning with values of environmental stewardship and social responsibility.
Vegan candles come in a wide variety of scents, colours, and designs, providing consumers with aesthetically pleasing and eco-conscious options. They are packaged in sustainable ways, such as reusable glass jars with metal lids, further reducing their environmental impact. With a bit of research, consumers can easily find vegan, cruelty-free, and eco-friendly candles that align with their values and preferences.
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You can find vegan candles in a variety of scents, colours, and designs, often handcrafted by small businesses
Vegan candles are made from sustainable, plant-based ingredients like soy wax, coconut wax, vegetable wax, or palm wax. These candles are free from animal-derived ingredients such as beeswax, stearic acid (often sourced from animal fat), and other animal by-products.
Flamingo Candles also offers gorgeously fragranced soy candles in vibrant, funky designs like their Marble collection. OHROS provides a range of hand-poured vegan soy candles with scents for every mood, including warming autumnal fragrances like Pumpkin Spice and Figgy Pudding, as well as fresh, clean scents like Fresh Laundry and Mother Nature.
Self(ish) Company handcrafts sustainable, vegan-friendly soy-wax candles in Hertfordshire, offering a small but mighty range of fragrances, including Mystic Oud and fruity rhubarb. These small businesses and artisans create unique and customizable options that fit your personal preferences and home decor.
With a bit of research, you can easily find vegan candles that align with your values of environmental stewardship and social responsibility while also supporting these dedicated small businesses.
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While paraffin wax is widely used, it is not vegan-friendly due to its petroleum by-product origin and potential health risks
Paraffin wax is derived from petroleum, a non-renewable resource, which raises concerns about its sustainability. With the world consuming approximately 4.4 million tons of paraffin wax annually, it is essential to consider more sustainable alternatives. Additionally, paraffin wax is not biodegradable, further contributing to environmental concerns.
Vegan alternatives to paraffin wax include soy wax, coconut wax, and other vegetable waxes. Soy wax, derived from plants, is a natural and biodegradable option that delivers a cleaner burn than paraffin wax. It has a lower melting point, resulting in slower burning and longer-lasting candles. Coconut wax offers a beautiful white colour and excellent scent retention, burning evenly and suitably with most wicks. Vegetable waxes, such as hydrogenated rapeseed oil, provide another sustainable and environmentally friendly option.
These vegan wax options not only ensure a clean burn without harmful chemicals but also align with ethical and sustainable practices. By choosing vegan waxes, consumers can support small businesses and artisans that prioritise sustainability, quality, and environmental stewardship. Additionally, these waxes offer unique customisation options, various scents, and designs, providing a wide range of choices for candle enthusiasts and home decorators alike.
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Frequently asked questions
Vegan candles are candles that are free from animal-derived ingredients. They are typically made from sustainable, plant-based ingredients like soy wax, coconut wax, or other vegetable waxes.
Many candles are made with animal-derived waxes and other non-vegan ingredients, such as beeswax, tallow (animal fat) and stearic acid, which is often sourced from animal fat.
Vegan candles are made from plant-based waxes such as soy wax, coconut wax, sand, palm wax, and other vegetable waxes. They can also be made from paraffin wax, although this is a petroleum by-product and so is not considered eco-friendly.
Vegan candles can be found in many places, although they may require a bit more effort to find. Some higher-end candles carry a vegan certification or emblem on the label. You can also buy them from small businesses and artisans, which you can find through a bit of research.
