Learn how to shop for clean, non-toxic candles this holiday season — and support small makers instead of big-box brands.

Why Choosing the Right Candle Matters

Candles are one of the most gifted items of the holiday season — but many store-bought candles release harmful chemicals, irritate allergies, or trigger headaches.

As a candle maker since the 1990s, I’m here to help you shop smarter this year with a simple guide to:

• Safe candle ingredients

• Clean fragrances

• Better wicks

• How to avoid paraffin blends

• And which brands to skip
  

Let’s dive in.

What Makes a Candle Toxic?

Most “cheap” candles can impact indoor air quality because of:

• Paraffin wax

• Synthetic fragrance oils containing phthalates

• Metal-core wicks

If you’ve ever walked into a candle store and immediately gotten a headache — that’s why.

The 3 Candle Ingredients You Should Always Look At

1. Wax Type

Your wax determines how cleanly a candle burns.

Avoid: Paraffin Wax

Paraffin = petroleum byproduct
(Yes, you’re literally burning fossil fuels.)

It:
❌ Emits more soot
❌ Releases VOCs (volatile organic compounds)
❌ Worsens allergies and asthma

If you see “soy blend”, assume it contains paraffin.

Choose These Clean Wax Options

100% Soy Wax

• Clean-burning

• Supports U.S. farmers

• Long-lasting

Coconut-Apricot Wax

• Luxury performance

• Smooth, even melt

• Cleaner burn than paraffin blends

Beeswax

• Naturally air-purifying

• Warm, sweet natural aroma

2. Fragrance Type

The fragrance determines whether your candle smells cozy…
or gives you a headache.

Fragrance Oils

Most mass-market candles use fragrance oils because they’re inexpensive and strong.
However, they may contain:

• Phthalates

• Allergens

• Synthetic chemicals

If a candle smells like “Champagne Toast,” “Cotton Fresh,” or “Holiday Cookie Magic,” it’s almost definitely fragrance oil.

Essential Oils

The cleaner alternative.

Made from real plant material:
✔️ Burn cleaner
✔️ Lower irritation
✔️ Pet-friendlier
✔️ No synthetic chemicals

At Jen & Tonic, we use only 100% essential oils — no synthetic fragrance oils, ever.

3. Wick Material

Wicks control how evenly a candle burns and how clean your air stays.

Avoid: Cotton Wicks With Metal Cores

Even “zinc” or “tin” cores can release soot and microscopic particles.

(And yes — lead-core wicks were only banned in 2003.)

Choose: Wood Wicks

✔️ Cleaner burn
✔️ No metal core
✔️ Cozy crackling sound
✔️ More even melt pool

This is why we use wood wicks in almost all Jen & Tonic candles.

How to Shop for Safe Holiday Candles

When browsing this year’s gift sets and holiday scents, look for:

✔️ Look For:

• 100% soy, coconut-apricot, or beeswax

• Essential oil fragrances

• Wood wicks

• Transparent ingredient lists

• Small-batch, ethical candle makers

❌ Avoid:

• Paraffin

• “Soy blends” without specifics

• Strong chemical scents

• Metal wicks

• Big brands with questionable ethics

Speaking of questionable…

The Bath & Body Works / Epstein Connection You Didn’t Expect

Bath & Body Works, White Barn Candle Co., and Victoria’s Secret were all part of L Brands, founded by Les Wexner — who had extensive personal and financial ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

Epstein:
– Managed Wexner’s finances
– Controlled Wexner accounts
– Lived in Wexner’s guesthouse for years
– Served as trustee for Wexner’s foundation

Even though Wexner retired, he remains chair emeritus.

So yes… choosing small-batch candles isn’t just cleaner — it’s more ethical.

Final Thoughts: Choose Clean, Cozy, and Ethical Candles This Year

You’re now equipped to shop like a candle expert — avoiding toxins, supporting small makers, and picking gifts your friends will actually love.

Your home deserves clean air.
Your candles should never give you headaches.
And your dollars should go toward makers, not billionaires.

Light responsibly ✨