Chloe Adams
Candles are among the most frustrating items for vegans to shop for. While some candles are labelled as vegan, it can be tricky to determine whether candles are truly vegan. This is because candles often contain stearic acid, which is used to harden the wax and provide opacity, and is commonly sourced from animal fats. However, there are plenty of brands that produce high-quality, fully plant-based candles. These include Paddywax, GoodLight, and Brooklyn Candle Studio.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Brands | Paddywax, P.F. Candle Co., Brooklyn Candle Studio, GoodLight, Hyde Nor Hare, Hithys, Grow Fragrance, One Fur All, Lochtree, Coconut Bowls, Mrs. Meyers, Voluspa, Sanari, Aerangis, Plant Based Candles, Kendi Lux, Minot, Candier by Ryan Porter, Homesick |
| Ingredients | Soy wax, coconut wax, essential oils, cotton wicks, coconut-soy oils, non-GMO ingredients, palm oil, phthalate-free fragrance oils |
| Certifications | Vegan certification, USDA-certified organic |
| Sustainability | Recyclable packaging, tree-free packaging, reusable containers, soy ink |
| Other | Hand-poured, small-batch, cruelty-free, non-toxic, allergen-free, paraffin-free |
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What You'll Learn
How to identify vegan candles
Unlike food products, candles rarely carry clear labelling that indicates their vegan status. Unless it is clearly labelled as vegan, or you contact the company, it can be challenging to determine whether a candle is vegan or not.
Read the Label
Start by carefully reading the candle's label. If it is labelled "soy wax", it is likely vegan. However, without a specific label stating that it is vegan, there is no certainty. Some higher-end candles may carry a vegan certification or emblem, so keep an eye out for those.
Check the Ingredients
The primary ingredient of most candles is paraffin, a petroleum derivative. Paraffin is too soft and transparent for candle-making, so most candles also contain stearic acid to harden the wax and make it opaque. Stearic acid is often derived from animal fat, although it can also come from coconut. Beeswax is another common candle ingredient that is not vegan. If a candle contains colourants or fragrances, these may also have vegan or non-vegan origins, but this information is rarely disclosed.
Look for Vegan Brands
Some brands are known for their vegan candles, such as GoodLight, Coconut Bowls, Mrs. Meyers, Brooklyn Candle Studio, Paddywax, PF Candle Co., Sanari, Kendi Lux, and Minot. These brands offer a range of vegan options, from soy wax to coconut wax blends, with sustainable and cruelty-free ingredients.
Shop at Vegan Stores
To make things easier, you can also shop at vegan stores or websites, such as World of Vegan and VegOutMag, which offer a variety of vegan candle options. These stores have already done the work of curating vegan products, so you can shop with confidence.
Ask the Community
If you are unsure about a particular candle, you can always ask the vegan community. Forums like Reddit's r/VeganBeauty or websites like vegan.com offer spaces for people to share their knowledge and recommendations for vegan products, including candles.
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Soy wax candles
Some soy wax candle brands advertise themselves as vegan, such as Brooklyn Candle Studio, which offers vegan, cruelty-free, phthalate-free, and petroleum-free candles. Their candles are handmade and poured in their Brooklyn studio, with a focus on sustainability and ethical production. They offer a range of botanical fragrances, including Lavender Daze, Thai Basil, and Sunday Morning.
P.F. Candle Co. is another brand that offers vegan soy wax candles. They use 100% domestically sourced soy wax, combined with fragrance oils and a clean-burning cotton-core wick. Their fragrances include Cedar & Sagebrush, Red Nutmeg & Peppercorn, and Myrtle Mint.
Sanari is a vegan candle brand that uses a blend of soy and coconut wax, scented with essential oils. Their candles are free from artificial chemicals and carcinogens, and the packaging and containers are recyclable.
Paddywax is another vegan-friendly brand that uses a soy wax blend and fragrance oils, with a 100% cotton wick. Their candles are designed to be repurposed after use, with glass, tin, and ceramic vessels that can be used as planters, cups, or bowls.
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Coconut wax candles
One brand that offers coconut wax candles is Hemlock Park, which has a wide range of natural coconut wax candles with wood wicks. Their collection includes unique scents like Cucumber Matcha, Bamboo Grapefruit, and Pomegranate Passion Fruit. The candles are also reasonably priced, with many options available on sale.
Another brand to consider is Stone Candles, which offers the Coco by Stone collection. This collection features 100% natural coconut wax blend candles with clean-burning wicks. The collection includes various sizes and scents, and the brand is committed to creating all-natural and eco-friendly products.
Arctic Wicks is also worth considering for their handcrafted coconut and beeswax candles. Their candles are USDA Certified Biobased and made from a premium blend of natural coconut wax and beeswax. They use top-grade, non-toxic fragrances and essential oils to create a delightful and safe aroma. Their wicks are also unique, made from natural cellulose vegetable fibres and coated in pure, filtered vegetable wax.
In addition to these brands, there are other vegan candle options available that use soy wax or a blend of soy and coconut wax. For example, Candier by Ryan Porter offers delicious fragrances as sweet as they smell, such as "I Love You More Than Ice Cream" and "Hot Cocoa & Cozy Cuddles." Brooklyn Candle Studio is another vegan brand with a range of fragrances like Lavender Daze, Thai Basil, and Sunday Morning.
When shopping for vegan candles, it's important to note that candle labels often don't disclose the origin of additives like colourants and fragrances. Unless it's clearly labelled vegan, it's best to assume that a candle contains animal products. However, some higher-end candles do carry a vegan certification or emblem, so it's worth looking out for those.
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Rapeseed wax candles
When it comes to vegan candles, there are various brands and wax types to choose from. While soy wax and coconut wax are popular choices, rapeseed wax is another option that offers several benefits.
Rapeseed wax is a natural and sustainable alternative to petroleum-based products, making it an economical and environmentally friendly choice for candle makers. It is created through the hydrogenation of rapeseed oil, resulting in excellent fragrance retention, scent throw, and extended burn time. NatureWax® rapeseed wax, for example, is free from animal, mineral, and petroleum-derived ingredients.
One brand that uses rapeseed wax is INDIO. Their candles are made from 100% natural rapeseed wax, essential oils, paraben-free botanical fragrances, and cotton wicks. Hand-poured into recycled amber glass jars, these vegan candles emit a warm glow and complement various interiors. With a burn time of 45-50 hours, they are perfect for coffee tables, sideboards, countertops, and nightstands.
However, it is important to consider that rapeseed wax may not be suitable for everyone due to potential allergies. Some people have reported allergic reactions to rapeseed, including irritation around the eyes when exposed to hot wax or fumes. As such, it is recommended to be cautious when using rapeseed wax candles and to explore other vegan options if allergies are a concern.
Overall, rapeseed wax candles offer a sustainable and natural alternative to traditional paraffin or beeswax candles. While they provide a warm and aesthetically pleasing experience, it is crucial to be mindful of potential allergy issues and opt for alternative vegan wax options if necessary.
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Vegan candle brands
There are many vegan candle brands available, with some of the most notable ones listed below.
GoodLight
GoodLight makes clean-burning, paraffin-free candles that support sustainable palm farmers and benefit orangutan rescue and rehabilitation. They offer scented candles for every occasion, from birthday candles to home décor jars and tins.
Paddywax
Paddywax provides vegan candles in jars that can be repurposed into margarita glasses or succulent planters. Their candles are made with US-farmed soy wax and fragrance oils, topped with a 100% cotton wick.
P.F. Candle Co.
P.F. Candle Co. is a California-based brand that uses 100% domestically sourced soy wax in their candles. Their fragrances include Red Nutmeg & Peppercorn, Cedar & Sagebrush, and Mistletoe Special.
Sanari
Sanari creates vegan candles with essential oils, using all-natural, non-GMO, vegan ingredients. Their fragrances include Fresco (Persian lime, basil, and sage) and Aria (tangerine, ylang-ylang, and lavender). Their packaging is tree-free, made with soy ink, and their containers are reusable.
Kendi Lux
Kendi Lux offers hand-poured, soy-blend candles that are free from carcinogens, toxins, and harmful chemicals. Their fragrances include Lavender Moonbath and Myrtle Mint.
Aerangis
Aerangis handcrafts non-toxic and allergen-free candles with unique scents like Concrete Jungle (wet cement and hyacinth) and The Beginning (fresh flowers and soft musk).
Plant-Based Candles
This brand offers coconut wax candles with reusable containers, designed to cut back on waste.
While not all brands may explicitly label their candles as vegan, some popular options, like Yankee Candle, offer mostly vegan options, except for those containing beeswax. Additionally, some mainstream stores and brands also sell "accidentally vegan" candles, but it can be tricky to determine their vegan status without specific labelling or by contacting the company.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several vegan candle brands available, including Paddywax, P.F. Candle Co, GoodLight, Hyde Nor Hare, Hithys, Grow Fragrance, Coconut Bowls, Mrs. Meyers, Voluspa, Brooklyn Candle Studio, Kendi Lux, Minot, Sanari, Aerangis, Plant Based Candles, and Candier by Ryan Porter.
You can buy vegan candles from Amazon, Etsy, and independent candle makers.
Most Yankee Candles are vegan, except for those that contain beeswax.
It is difficult to determine if Bath & Body Works candles are vegan, as it is hard to trace the origin of their ingredients.
A candle labelled “soy wax” is likely vegan, but unless it is specifically labelled vegan, or you contact the company, it is hard to tell for sure. Some higher-end candles carry a vegan certification or emblem on the label.
