Last Updated on September 12, 2022 by The Filtery Staff
Using coconut wax or oil in candle-making has a lot of benefits—it’s eco-friendly, burns slowly, and has a smooth texture to it. But it’s also got a couple of significant downsides, too.
In this article, you’ll learn about the pros and cons of coconut wax candles along with where to find the best non-toxic brands.
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Featured image credit: Bee Lucia
Pros and Cons of Coconut Wax Candles
Each type of candle has its pros and cons. Here are some of the PROS of using coconut wax and oil in candles:
- Coconut burns cleaner than paraffin
- Coconut is more sustainable than soy
- It burns slowly and throws scent well (meaning it can more easily fill up a space with smell)
- It’s got a smooth finish and creamy texture
- Is an eco-friendly option for vegans who prefer not to buy beeswax
The CONS of using coconut in candle-making include:
- It’s more expensive compared to paraffin, soy, and other “vegetable” wax blends.
- It’s soft and has a low melting point, which can potentially be problematic when shipping or storing the candles in warmer climates.
These are both big reasons you’ll often find coconut mixed with other types of waxes like soy and beeswax. It’s difficult to find 100% coconut wax candles (although we’ve listed a few of them below).
Why Add Coconut to Beeswax or Soy Candles?
You’ll notice that many of the brands below use coconut along with either beeswax or soy. In addition to the two reasons listed above (cost savings and melting point), adding coconut oil to another type of wax helps the candles to burn slower and more consistently, preventing tunneling.
Do Coconut Wax Candles Smell Like Coconut?
Nope! Unscented coconut candles will smell like nothing, while scented coconut candles will smell like whatever type of fragrance has been added to them.
Where to Find the Best Non-Toxic Coconut Wax Candles
We’ve narrowed down the best brands for coconut wax candles based on several different factors, including:
- Use of natural essential oils and transparent, non-toxic fragrances (free of phthalates, carcinogens, etc.)
- Lead-free cotton, hemp, and wooden wicks
- Other sustainability and ethical initiatives
- Scent quality and customer service reviews
Fontana Candle Co.
Fontana Candle Co. is certified by MADE SAFE, an independent organization that certifies non-toxic products according to very stringent standards.
They have several different scents for seasonal occasions or year-round. It’s a family-owned business that was started after multiple of the founders’ loved ones struggled with various types of chronic illnesses.
Wax: Beeswax and coconut oil
Size: Various sizes + wax melts
Burn time: 20-60 hours
Price: $12-30
Sanari
These vegan candles are made with a soy and coconut wax blend with certified organic essential oils. They’re hand-poured into a reusable wine glass or whiskey tumbler in small batches in Los Angeles, California.
Wax: Organic coconut and non-GMO soy wax
Size: 8.5 and 16 oz
Burn time: 45 and 80 hours
Price: $34 and $46
Essentially Charlie
These beeswax and coconut oil candles are made in Brooklyn, NY with essential oils and a hemp wick. Essentially Charlie is committed to eco-friendly and conscious sourcing and production throughout its entire process.
Wax: Beeswax and coconut oil
Size: 9 oz
Burn time: 45 hour
Price: $20
Natural Sloth
These handmade candles are made with beeswax, organic coconut oil, pure essential oils, and a wooden wick. They source their beeswax from a local farm in Colorado. Plus, they now come with the third party MADE SAFE certification, too, which means they’ve been verified to be free from a long list of toxic ingredients.
Wax: Beeswax and coconut oil
Size: 4, 9, and 12 oz
Burn time: 22-65 hours
Price: $15-$30
Bee Lucia
Bee Lucia’s “Wellness Candles” are made with a blend of coconut oil, beeswax, and organic & therapeutic-grade essential oils… And the have the extra added bonus of containing ethically-sourced crystals, too!
Bee Lucia’s candles come in several different colors/scents/themes, including things like “Grounded,” “Enlightened,” “Inspired,” and more. Their sets make for great gift ideas, too.
Wax: Beeswax and coconut oil
Size: 4 or 8 oz
Burn time: 20-40 hours
Price: $16.95 – $31.95
Want More Non-Toxic Candle Recommendations?
If you’re looking for more non-toxic candle guides, you might want to check these out:
- If your preference is soy candles, you can get our non-toxic favs here.
- Beeswax candles? Click here.
- Are tallow candles still a thing? Yep – find our picks here.
- Here is our guide to non-toxic candles, where you can learn more about why traditional candles are not-great and what to look for instead.
- You can learn about Bath & Body Works candles here.
- And we did a review of Yankee Candles, which you can check out here.
- If you’re in the mood for a pumpkin scented non-toxic candle, here are our favorite brands for fall candles.
- And here are our picks for winter/holiday/Christmas candles.
Conclusion
Although they have a few drawbacks, coconut wax candles are an excellent sustainable and non-toxic alternative to paraffin wax. When coconut oil is added to soy or beeswax, it can help provide an extra smooth and even burn.
Image Credits: all product images belong to respective brands
