Last Updated on September 12, 2022 by The Filtery Staff
When making the switch away from paraffin wax candles, beeswax is one of the BEST natural and non-toxic alternatives you’ll find! In this article, you’ll learn about why beeswax candles are so special… and then we’ll give you our favorite brands to buy from.
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Featured image credit: GreenTree Home
Why Are Beeswax Candles Good For You?
Beeswax candles are extra special because, more than just not polluting the air, they actually clean it!
Most “regular” candles these days are made with paraffin wax, which is derived from petroleum. When burned, paraffin releases a group of toxins with the acronym BTEX, which contribute to indoor air pollution.
Soy candles burn much cleaner than paraffin. But beeswax takes it one step further by actually cleaning up your air as they burn. They release negative ions into their air, which then attach to positive ions in the air, like mold spores, dust, pollen, etc., thus neutralizing them. This is why beeswax candles are considered hypoallergenic and can be really great for those who suffer from asthma and allergies. (Is it just me, or are bees magical?!)
…But Are They Worth It?
One of the downsides to beeswax candles, though, is that they can be a but pricier than paraffin and soy wax candles. However, you also get more for your money since beeswax tends to burn longer than both paraffin and soy.
Not only that, but a lot of beeswax candles (including most of the ones listed below) are made by or sourced from small, local beekeepers and farmers. Bees are incredibly important to our food supplies and overall ecosystems, and their populations are currently in decline—something that’s very alarming to scientists. So you can feel good about purchasing beeswax candles from ethical sources; it’s a small thing you can do to support bee populations, food security, and the future functioning of our overarching ecosystem.
Unscented vs. Scented Beeswax Candles
When shopping for beeswax candles, you’ll likely find that many don’t have any added fragrance in them. This is in part because beeswax naturally has a light, sweet smell to it when it burns (kind like honey!), which many people enjoy.
However, if you’re looking for scented beeswax candles like cedarwood or lavender, there are plenty of those available on the market as well. We’ve notated which brands have scented and unscented candles below so you can shop according to your preference.
The 9 Best Brands for Non-Toxic Beeswax Candles
We’ve narrowed down the best brands for beeswax candles based on:
- Use of natural essential oils as opposed to toxic synthetic fragrances
- Conscious sourcing of wax from beekeepers who treat their bees well
- Lead-free cotton, hemp, and wooden wicks
- Scent quality and customer service reviews
Basic Bee Candle Co.
Basic Bee Candle Co. is on a mission to provide beautiful, scented candles that even the most sensitive of us can not only tolerate, but enjoy. They’re made with a combination of beeswax, coconut oil, and essential oils.
Wax: Raw local beeswax + organic coconut oil
Scented or Unscented? Both
Size: 8 oz
Burn time: 30-35 hours
Price: $25
Natural Sloth
Oh, so cozy! These scented beeswax candles also include coconut oil, natural essential oils, and a wooden wick. They source their beeswax from a local farm in Colorado. Plus, they’re certified by MADE SAFE now, too, which is one of our favorite third-party certifications for non-toxic products!
Wax: Beeswax and coconut oil
Scented or Unscented? Both
Size: 4, 9, and 12 oz
Burn time: 22-65 hours
Price: $15-$30
Bee Lucia
Bee Lucia’s “Wellness Candles” are made using coconut oil, beeswax, therapeutic-grade essential oils, and ethically-sourced crystals. Along with their unscented candle (which is called “Illuminated”), they have various other scents and vibes available, including “Protected,” “Loved,” “Healed,” and more.
Wax: Beeswax and coconut oil
Scented or Unscented? Both
Size: 4 or 8 oz
Burn time: 20-40 hours
Price: $16.95 – $31.95
Greentree Home
Ummm…. how cute are these?! Unscented and made from 100% pure beeswax, these candles come in beautiful shapes and colors that you might even feel bad about burning! They’re made at the foothills of the Catskills mountains in Treadwell, NY.
Wax: Just beeswax
Scented or Unscented? Unscented
Size: Various
Burn time: Various
Price: $72-$198
Fontana Candle Co.
Fontana Candle Co. is actually certified by MADE SAFE, a third-party organization that is pretty strict when it comes to the ingredients it allows in certified products!
They have several different scents for seasonal occasions or year-round. It’s a family-owned business that was started after multiple loved ones struggled with various types of chronic illnesses.
Wax: Beeswax and coconut oil
Scented or Unscented? Both
Size: Various sizes + wax melts
Burn time: 20-60 hours
Price: $12-30
Bluecorn Beeswax
Bluecorn carries a wide variety of sizes of beeswax candles, from tea lights and tins to glass votives and taper candles. They carry both scented and unscented candles, and they’re all made with 100% lightly filtered beeswax and pure essential oils.
Based in Colorado, this company has been around for over 30 years. Their candles are made using 100% renewable energy, they offset all of their carbon emissions from shipping, and they use a portion of their profits to plant trees, too.
Wax: 100% beeswax
Scented or Unscented? Both
Size: Various
Burn time: 12-80 hours
Price: $6.50-$38
Kline Honey Bee Farm
Based in Ohio, Kline Honey Bee Farm carries all kinds of bee products, from candles to honey to candle-making supplies (so you can make your own!).
They use only 100% pure beeswax, which is made from honey cappings after their honey harvest, along with a pure cotton wick. They have some really cute candle shapes, like Easter eggs, honeybee hives, and birthday candles.
Wax: 100% beeswax
Scented or Unscented?Unscented
Size: Various
Burn time: 12-80 hours
Price:$5-$50
Essentially Charlie
These scented beeswax and coconut oil candles are made in Brooklyn, NY with essential oils and a hemp wick. With scents like “Restore,” “Sanctuary,” “Rooted,” and “Elevate,” these candles are meant to put you in the right state of mind!
We love reading about how mindful the team at Essentially Charlie is about their entire sourcing and production process. They are also transitioning from commercial to locally-sourced beeswax, too.
Wax: Beeswax and coconut oil
Scented or Unscented? Scented
Size: 9 oz
Burn time: 45 hour
Price: $20
Aire Candle Co.
Available on Etsy, these candles only contain 100% high-quality pure beeswax from local U.S. beekeepers and pure, sustainably-sourced essential oils. They’re hand poured in New York and come in a beautiful glass amber jar that emits a vibrant, warm tone when lit.
Wax: 100% beeswax
Scented or Unscented? Both
Size: 8 and 16 oz
Burn time: 45-55 hours
Price: $25-$45
Garrett Wade
If you’re looking for simple and basic tapered or pillar beeswax candles, Garrett Wade is a great place to look. This company strives to be as eco-conscious as possible with their production by supporting local beekeepers and hand-making all of their candles in the U.S.
Wax: 100% beeswax
Scented or Unscented? Unscented
Size: Various
Burn time: 12-60 hours
Price: $15-$40
Non-Toxic Candle Guides, Galore!
If you’re interested in some related guides to non-toxic candles, we’ve got you covered:
- our ultimate guide to non-toxic candles
- pros and cons of coconut candles
- the best non-toxic soy candles
- where to find non-toxic tallow candles
- what’s the deal with Bath & Body Works candles?
- and what about your other favorite candle brand: Yankee?
- the best natural & non-toxic fall candles
- our picks for winter/holiday candles
Conclusion
Beeswax candles are perhaps the BEST alternative to conventional paraffin wax candles. Beeswax is not only non-toxic, but it actually cleans the air while it burns by neutralizing things like dust, mold spores, pollen, and more. When sourced consciously, beeswax candles can help support local, sustainable beekeepers who are working hard to keep our vulnerable bee populations surviving.
Very informative. Can you please review Root candle company ? I think it’s beeswax
We’ll look into reviewing Root Candle Company more in-depth, but at first glance, they look pretty good. However, we’d like to see a little more detail & transparency from them. For example, they say they use natural essential oils in their fragrances, but it’s not clear if they use ONLY essential oils or if they also use other fragrance oils. It’s also unclear what kind of dyes they use to color their candles.