As the air turns crisp and leaves begin to fall, it's official—autumn is here! I love how everything seems to slow down and feel cozier this time of year. Swapping out my wardrobe for soft sweatshirts and cozy scarves is a must, and I also like to give my home a little fall makeover. With some seasonal decor, lighting my favorite candles, and a warm cup of chai or spiced apple cider in hand,it’s the perfect way to embrace the autumn vibe.

Speaking of candles, I absolutely love how they create that warm, cozy vibe we all enjoy. However, I’m also aware of the toxins they can release into the air. To limit my exposure, I prefer natural, toxin-free options that let me enjoy those cozy fall scents without the worry of pollutants. Here are a few reasons why I opt for cleaner candles, along with my favorite fall scented candles.

Why I Don’t Like Conventional Candles

Sometimes, it’s tempting to buy candles from the display sections at the mall or grocery store because it’s just easier, right?

The eye-catching marketing can be blinding, making us unaware that the ingredients inside could harm our health more than we realize. Conventional candles often emit various compounds, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs), and particulate matter (PM). VOCs are known to irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, and they’re linked to headaches, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and even allergic skin reactions. On top of that, undisclosed fragrances contain phthalates, a group of hormone-disrupting chemicals. These do little to improve indoor air quality and instead act as pollutants, whether the candle is lit or not.

What's Safe and What to Avoid

Here’s a list of candle ingredients you should avoid, along with safer, better alternatives to consider:

Paraffin Wax
This colorless wax, often appearing white, is derived from petroleum. When burned, it emits VOCs and PM (soot) that pollute indoor air. Most conventional candles are made from paraffin wax, sometimes blended with other types of waxes too.
Better Alternative: Soy wax, coconut wax, and beeswax are much cleaner and better alternatives to paraffin. However, watch out for labels with the term 'soy wax blends'—these often contain a mix of different waxes, including paraffin, and may not disclose the percentage of each. It’s best to avoid blends if you’re aiming for purity. Always check labels carefully, and stick to trusted, reputable brands for your own peace of mind.
Undisclosed Fragrances and Dyes
As much as we all love scented candles, it’s important to be cautious of undisclosed fragrances and artificial dyes. Many fragrances contain phthalates, which are hormone-disrupting chemicals, and burning certain dyes can release harsh chemicals that lower the air quality in our homes.
Better Alternative: Pure essential oils are a great natural option for candle fragrances, providing a pleasant aroma without synthetic additives. Many companies now feature clean, phthalate-free fragrance options, so you can continue enjoying beautifully scented candles without the health risks. With modern options, there’s no need to say goodbye to your favorite scents!
Wicks
Bleached wicks are common in conventional candles, and some wicks may contain heavy metals (lead), so it’s essential to choose carefully. A better option to look for is unbleached cotton wicks or wicks made from wood. Personally, I love wooden wicks! They have a natural look, sometimes make a soft crackling sound reminiscent of a fireplace, and tend to burn slowly, which is a great feature if that's your preference.

Non-Toxic Fall Candles this 2024

Now that we’re clear on which candle ingredients to avoid, here’s a list of non-toxic candle options for this fall season that make a perfect swap for conventional candles.

Disclaimer: Just a quick note—this blog includes a few affiliate links, so if you choose to make a purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It’s a little way to help support my work, and I truly appreciate it. Thank you!

For thousands of other vetted, non toxic products all in one place, check out The Clean Catalog.

Fontana Candle Co.

Fontana candles are crafted with all-natural ingredients, using pure essential oils and a blend of coconut and beeswax. They’re also cruelty-free, 100% transparent about their ingredients, and MADE SAFE® certified—which I love!

Fall Scents: Harvest Apple, Cinnamon Orange Clove, Pumpkin Spice, Spiced Latte

Burn Time: 9 fl oz candles burn for approximately 35-40 hours.

Where to Shop: Company Website & use code “GOINGTOXLESS” for 15% off; Amazon

Meaningful Mantras

Made proudly in small batches in California, Meaningful Mantras uses unbleached cotton wicks, pure essential oils, and freshly-made, non-GMO coconut wax. Their scent range is amazing, offering a wide variety of natural fragrances, so you’re sure to find the perfect autumn candle!

Fall Scents: Spiced Latte, Ginger Clove & Nutmeg, French Coffee, Snickerdoodle Cookie, Espresso Vanilla, Pumpkin Spice, Sugared Vanilla

Burn Time: Approx. 24 hours (4oz), 20-35 hours (8oz), 50-60 hours (10oz), and 70-75 hours (16oz)

Where to Shop: Amazon; meaningfulmantras.com

Grow Fragrance

Hand-poured in small batches, Grow Fragrance candles feature 100% plant-based fragrances, lead-free wicks, and soy wax for a clean, toxin-free burn. I love that they come with a reusable holder and candle refill, making them eco-friendly and practical! Plus, they’re transparent about their ingredients—phthalate-free, cruelty-free, and petroleum-free.

Fall Scents: Autumn Heirloom, Forest Fern, Ginger Pumpkin, Pear Cider

Burn Time: For a 6.5oz candle, burn time is approximately 40-45 hours.

Where to Shop: growfragrance.com

Terralite

Terralite candles are created with 100% natural coconut wax and are infused with pure, organic, wildcrafted essential oils and plant extracts sourced from pesticide-free environments. These paraffin-free candles come with a chemical-free hemp core wick in a recycled amber glass container, a recyclable tin lid, and labels made from recycled paper. Hand-poured in California, they offer an eco-friendly burn from start to finish.

Fall Scents: Nordic Pine, White Pumpkin

Burn Time: 4oz (approx. 28 hours), 8oz (approx. 40 hours), 16oz (approx. 50 hours)

Where to Shop: terralite.com