Candle hour has become my new happy hour. It’s best enjoyed with my morning coffee, soft music, crafts, or a book. It also helps set the ambiance for a relaxing home and awakens my senses. But many conventional candles contains toxins and chemicals that can be harmful to our health with frequent exposure. Fortunately, there are natural alternatives on the market that can scent up your home safely.
How do you know if a candle or fragrance is “clean” or “non-toxic”? Keep reading for safety tips and a breakdown of what to avoid. I also review COAX, a non-toxic candle and fragrance brand with a New York-inspired collection.
safety tips + natural alternatives
candle wAX
Many scented candles are made with paraffin wax, which is a by-product of petroleum. When it burns, it can release toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
The Safer Alternative: Look for soy-based wax or 100% beeswax
candle WICKS
A longer candle wick will produce more soot and a smoky flame, which releases more air pollution and cause harm to your lungs with frequent use in an unventilated space. Some candles still use metal cored wicks to help it stand up straight.
Safety Tip: Look for cotton or wood wicks and burn your candle in a well ventilated area. Don’t let the wick become longer than 0.25 inches and don’t burn for more than 4 hours at a time.
FRAGRANCE + PHTHALATES
Black soot emitted from candles containing fragrance and can travel deep into our lungs. Most fragrances contain phthalates, which should especially be avoided by pregnant women.
The Safer Alternative: Avoid products with phthalates. Safer scented candles are made with Essential Oils and/or Fragrance Oils. Make sure the brand is also free of parabens, sulfates, and dyes.
BRAND SPOTLIGHT: COAX
Based in New York City, COAX was created with a desire to bring pure, unadulterated, and simple scents to your home. All of their candles are hand poured and made with 100% pure soy wax with braided cotton wicks for a clean and environmentally friendly burn. I love the minimalist, clean esthetic of the brand, the glass packaging, and simple scents.
When Founder Timothy Chen learned that many fashion brand perfumes had unethical practices and were formulated with toxic ingredients, it became part of the reason why he designed his own non-toxic, cruelty-free, and eco-friendly brand. With his background in design and the courage and creativity that NYC gave him, Timothy created COAX.
Candles: Classic Collection
[ CSA ] Citrus Sandalwood Amber – With light citrusy top notes and warm, earthy middle and base notes, this is a nice gender-neutral option to bring cozy and soothing vibes to your home.
[ EWB ] Eucalyptus White Tea Bamboo – This is my personal favorite scent from the classic collection. Perfect for a home spa-day, when I’m winding down from a long week. Eucalyptus smells relaxing and white tea has a hint of sweetness.
Their candles come in three sizes: 9 oz jars ($40), 4 oz jars ($28), and minis ($20 for a discovery set).
FRAGRANCE
What sets this brand apart from some of the other clean fragrance brands is their collection of NY-themed scents. Their curated blends include “Lost in Times Square”, “Immersed in Central Park,” and Hypnotized in Manhattan.”
Their line of fragrances come in 3 sizes: 50 ml bottle, 8 ml scented oil roller (perfect for keeping in your purse), and a mini sample set.
[ Lost in Times Square ] – “Carefree,walking undirected with no direction.”
The refreshing scent released a burst of appealing grapefruit, fading out to a milder jasmine note. Paired with sandalwood in the background radiating airy uplifting good vibe.
[ Immersed in Central Park ] – “Turning a blind eye to the skyscrapers in the distance.”
Bright and zesty citrus blend combined with the fresh and comforting notes of dried grass for a sophisticated twist on a refreshingly clean combination. The lingering fragrance of pinewood reverberates a playful note.
[ Hypnotized in Manhattan ] -“Reflections of blurry street lights flirtatiously dance on your skin.”
Lime and ginger command attention with aromatic foreplay setting the first impressions. While retaining some of the top notes’ aroma, iris’s earthy and velvety nuances create a confident expression of pure luxury with an opulent finish of sandalwood.
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