Bath and Body Works candles might be one of the most popular candle brands in the United States. But are Bath and Body Works candles toxic? It’s one of the most common questions about scented and unscented candles in the home.
While these candles offer a sweet-smelling atmosphere for your home, they can be pretty toxic. Why? They are made from toxic chemicals that can harm people and pets, especially those allergic to those substances.
This way, instead of enjoying the soothing scent that calms the entire house, you could be inviting some health issues into your household. That’s why more people ask about safe, all-natural alternatives to this famous candle brand.
If you are concerned about the safety of Bath and Body Works candles, here is everything you should know about them. And why all-natural makes for a better way to go.
Why are Bath and Body Works Candles Toxic?
As mentioned earlier, these sweet-smelling candles contain ingredients or chemicals that can be dangerous to human and pet lives. For instance, any Bath and Body Works candle is made using paraffin wax, synthetics, and other chemicals that are harmful to your health.
These ingredients make the candles smell great and look stunning. However, the health implications they bring about can be grave. For example, paraffin wax candles have been linked by several studies to health issues like infertility, diabetes, attention deficit disorder, as well as breast and liver cancer.
That sounds worrying, right? It should be!
As such, people are now looking for candles that contain zero paraffin wax and other harmful chemicals like phthalates, one of the common synthetic fragrances. But are there any such candles in the market?
Absolutely yes. And I will share the list of those healthy and environmentally-friendly candles you can consider in a bit.
But before then…
Is it Safe to Burn Bath and Body Works Candles?
Most certainly, after reading the above sections, you are about to throw your favorite candles away for fear of health complications. But should you?
Well, Bath and Body Works candles indicate that they also have soy as an ingredient for making them. And studies have shown that soy and vegetable wax are great alternatives to paraffin.
But is this the actual case? Of course not.
While the candles may include a “pure soy” label, soy ingredients might be only 51%. The rest 49% might be paraffin. So, unless you find 100% soy, coconut, or vegetable wax candles, you might still be burning a paraffin wax candle that’s toxic to your health.
The Best Non-toxic Candle Alternatives
If you want to shift from the harmful paraffin candles but still enjoy that aromatic scent that calms the entire house, we have a few pieces you can consider. Most of these candles use 100% plant-based/essential oils ingredients.
However, some might include fragrance oils that are not all pet-friendly. So, always check out the actual ingredients before buying;
1. Candle-by-the-Hour 80-Hour Horizontal Candle
Candle by the Hour is one of the best all-natural candle manufacturers. And here is one of their candles that is both non-toxic and long-burning.
Unlike Bath Body Works candles, this candle is made from natural and responsibly sourced beeswax that contains no added chemicals or preservatives.
As one of its best features, this candle has a total burning time of up to 80 hours (and other, longer-burning models are available from the same maker). It’s perfect for the atmosphere, as it doesn’t release volatile organic compounds, offering non-toxic light and a sweet smell all day. Also, the whole design is rounded off with a faux-copper holder that looks great.
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2. Papyrus Eco-Friendly Birthday Candles 12 Count Tie Dye
These Papyrus Eco-Friendly Birthday Candles are sold in sets of 12 candles each. All natural and non-toxic, these are made from a 60-40 mixture of beeswax and palm oil. These burns away slowly and with no potential release of volatile organic compounds.
Unscented, the inks in this candle are guaranteed to be all-natural too. Its packaging is also environmentally responsible and made only from recycled materials. These might be meant for birthdays, but they can add atmosphere and light anywhere you need them.
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3. Aromatherapy Candle Set for Stress Relief 4 Natural Soy Wax Candles
The Aromatherapy Candle Set for Stress Relief is an all-natural set of 4 simple candles made from all-natural soy wax at 4oz per candle. These contain no added ingredients like paraffin or formaldehyde, making them safe for the environment and pets.
These are great if you want non-toxic candles for a relaxed atmosphere. Only cotton wicks and natural fragrances are used.
Also, ingredients have been tested to ensure their safety for pets and people. Lastly, an added satisfaction guarantee covers this candle against any factory issues.
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4. Scented Candles Bisenghy 4.4 Oz 100% Natural Soy Wax Scented Candles
The Bisenghy Scented Candles are available as a 4.4oz candle made from all-natural soy wax. They are available in different non-toxic scents, including Rose, Jasmine, Vanilla, and Lavender.
Scents of this product won’t cause harm to the environment or aggravate respiratory symptoms/conditions. They are also guaranteed to be safe for pets since they’re made from only natural ingredients.
While it’s simple in its design, it’s large and has at least several hours’ worth of burning time. So if you are a fan of burning candles, this one will be an excellent choice.
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5. One Fur All 100% Natural Soy Wax 20 Fragrances Odor Eliminator
One Fur All 100% Natural Candles are marketed as eco-friendly candles. These are proudly made in the United States and are all-natural, as the label guarantees. As such, they are more appealing to pet owners who love burning candles in their space but are environmentally conscious.
The One Fur All candles are available in packs of one and are made from natural cotton wicks and soy wax. Zero emissions or harmful chemicals make this one of the best pet-friendly and eco-friendly candles.
The One-Fur-All candle is available in several scents. You can get it in Vanilla, Sandalwood, and Apple Ciderscents. These are all safe for pets and people and guaranteed to be safe for anyone with respiratory issues or allergies.
It’s great as an environmentally-friendly scented candle, and there are not many around. Recommended burning time is longer than average and up to 3 hours at a time.
After this, allow the candle to cool before lighting again, according to the manufacturer’s instructions. An additional money-back guarantee covers the One-Fur-All candle against defects or manufacturing issues.
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6. Beeswax Tea Lights, Candles
Beeswax Tea Light Candles have all the benefits of natural, responsibly sourced beeswax. It’s an excellent candle option if you would like to provide ambient light or a little atmosphere with a non-toxic guarantee,
These candles are free from toxic chemicals or harmful potential byproducts. They only produce clean-burning beeswax when they burn away.
Also, since they are made from beeswax, these candles are entirely unscented. And they are safe for people ad pets, even those with respiratory issues.
Traditional tea light contains paraffin, phthalates, and even formaldehyde that could harm your health and the environment. Sometimes, regular tea-light candles can even produce unnatural forms of heat when you burn several in a small space.
Beeswax candles will not contain these harmful additives. Also, they produce just enough heat to guarantee light.
So, if you want to burn candles, these are the ideal candle choice. They are a collection of candles that produce a great ambient effect.
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7. Foton Pearled Candle Natural Eco-Friendly Customizable Candle
This natural, eco-friendly, and customized candle is one of the best candles on the market. That’s if you want non-toxic candles that guarantee safe and lengthy burning time.
Its eco-friendliness is a guarantee, and these candles are, at their base, completely natural candles. But it’s also one of the only candles on this list that you can customize to your own needs.
Add your own essential oils to the wax to produce scents, or burn the candle as-is to produce a simple light. Foton candles contain all-natural wicks made from cotton and are made from all-natural waxes. This means that they won’t produce any harmful chemicals when they burn.
The Foton candles are great because they can be used more than once. Also, they give you a long burning time of more than 120 hours. The non-toxic, customizable scent aspect helps to make this one of the greatest atmospheric candles you can get.
However, when using your essential oils or scents, remember to check that the product is natural. Confirm that it can’t cause effects, side effects, or environmental harm.
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8. Purple Blue White Handcrafted Carved Candles 8″ Eco-Friendly
The Purple Blut White Handcrafted Carved Candle is one of the best eco-friendly options. If you are looking for an impressive candle that doubles as a table centerpiece, this is it. Impressive and almost imposing, this handmade candle measures 8 inches.
The candle is guaranteed to be an environmentally friendly option. It contains no paraffin wax or added ingredients that might harm health, pets, or the environment. Even the colors are made from materials that will not produce harmful emissions when burning away.
Handmade and carved, it might not be to everyone’s decor tastes, but it can be a great centerpiece if it suits you. And though 8″ is the standard length, other sizes up or down are also available.
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9. Sundazze Candle Our Friendship is Like This Candle
The Sundazze Candle is available as an eco-friendly candle with a novelty aspect. Vanilla-scented, the oversized candle is meant to be given as a fun friendship gift. But it can also be bought as an environmentally responsible candle for home use if you can ignore the Friendship text on the front.
What’s great about the Sundazze candle? First, it’s made from all-natural soy wax and contains a cotton wick. It has no additives or undisclosed extras, and the result is an almost perfect candle.
It burns with no emissions and contains no potentially harmful ingredients like paraffin that make other candles a danger to your health. The Sundazze candle is a larger, 25oz candle that burns for up to 70 hours.
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10. Candle by the Hour 120-Hour Beehive Candle
The candle by the Hour 120-Hour Beehive Candle is one of the best eco-friendly candles today. That’s especially if you want an affordable option that can provide mild light for a long time with just one purchase. It is the longer-burning equivalent of the 80-hour candle from the same company.
Unlike potentially toxic candles, the Beehive Candle contains only responsibly sourced beeswax. No added colorants, preservatives, or propellants are added to the mixture. As such, the result is one of the best candles.
The Beehive Candle is thematic and made to “coil” around like a beehive. It doesn’t just provide light but also something impressive to look at.
It’s guaranteed to burn with no emissions – just clean-burning beeswax that’s safer for the health and environment. Safe for pets and even for those with respiratory conditions.
Lastly, a mock copper holder adds to the atmospheric look of the Beehive Candle. It’s a stunning piece, even for display.
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11. Papyrus Eco-Friendly Birthday Candles Black & White 12s
These beautiful black and white candles are sold in sets of 12. They are meant for birthdays but are also great for other special occasions that could do with some extra light.
Papyrus guarantees that its ingredients are natural and responsibly sourced. These candles are a mixture of beeswax and palm oil, with no additives or potentially harmful chemicals like paraffin.
Wicks are crafted from natural materials to guarantee the perfect candle. No emissions and no by-products or scents.
According to the manufacturer’s instructions, the recommended burning time for these great birthday candles is 1 to 2 hours. However, it can burn up to 12 hours.
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12. BCMOT Scented Soy Candles Air Freshener Candle Soy Wax
The BCMOT Scented Soy Candles are a great non-toxic alternative to scented candles. These candles are meant as a safe, refreshing way to bring light and fragrance to your space, minus the harmful chemicals you’ll find in almost everything else on the market.
The range of scents is all-natural and guaranteed to be non-toxic for pets and people. BCMOT candles are made from soy wax and contain no added chemicals like paraffin or phthalates.
Wicks are made from cotton and burn slowly and cleanly. The candles are long lasting, completely safe, and great for dim light and atmosphere.
FAQ
Are Bath and Body Works Candles Toxic?
Bath and Body Works Candles are popular and sell thousands of units yearly, but are they safe for your home, the environment, and your pets? The answer is no! While it’s still debatable if paraffin wax is toxic to humans, pets, and the environment, these candles also use fragrances that are also toxic, like phthalates.
What are Bath and Body Works candles?
Bath and Body Works Candles are popular scented candles for sale at online outlets and department stores. They come in different shapes, sizes, and scents.
What are Bath and Body Works candles made of?
Most of these popular scented candles contain ingredients that are potentially toxic or harmful. These include paraffin wax, formaldehyde, and phthalate.
While you wouldn’t expose yourself to such chemicals on a normal day, you might do so any time you burn these candles. Scented candles can also contain unnatural chemical scents that release into the air when subjected to heat.
Are Bath and Body Works candles toxic to cats or dogs?
Bed and Body Works candles are not, technically, toxic to cats and dogs on their own. But specific scents can harm your pet or produce an allergic reaction that could be dangerous or fatal.
Unless a product has been guaranteed safe for pets, assume it’s not! Ingredients like paraffin, formaldehyde, and chemical scents could harm your pets.
Are there safe alternatives to paraffin or phthalate-containing candles?
Yes!
Non-toxic candles mostly contain all-natural, safer ingredients for people, animals, and pets. Even people with respiratory issues don’t have to worry about burning the non-toxic options. Usually, they are made from soy, beeswax, and natural fragrances.
Also, alternative materials, like cotton, are used for the wick. Non-toxic candles can be scented or unscented. Scented non-toxic candles will contain only fragrances produced from natural ingredients.