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Don’t Trust the Lables: How To Identify Vegan Candles
The ethical vegan lifestyle is not just about the food you put on your plate. Many vegans are also concerned about sustainability and human environmental impact. This lifestyle means they want to know not only what a product is made of but also how it’s made and whether or not it’s sustainable. So, let’s dive into the inside of a candle jar!
Different Types Of Candle Wax
Paraffin Wax
The vast majority of candles on the market are made with paraffin wax, which is a petroleum by-product. Even though paraffin is vegan, it is often mixed with stearic acid to harden the wax and increase the burning time. Stearic acid is usually sourced from animals, making the candle non-vegan. Furthermore, paraffin wax harms the environment and human health as it soots and emits pollutants and particles that pose cancer risks and other health issues. As paraffin is a non-renewable resource, it is not sustainable either. [1, 2]
Beeswax
Beeswax can sometimes be considered “vegan-friendly” and “cruelty-free” when it is ethically and sustainably sourced, but it’s a nuanced topic with differing views within the vegan community.
Here’s how beeswax can align with vegan and cruelty-free principles for some:
- Ethical Sourcing: In ethical beekeeping, beekeepers prioritize the health and well-being of bees. This includes practices such as avoiding harmful interventions, providing bees with ample forage, and protecting hives from environmental threats without exploiting the bees. When beeswax is sourced this way, it’s sometimes viewed as vegan-friendly because it avoids harm and respects the bees’ natural processes.
- Cruelty-Free Beekeeping: To be cruelty-free, ethical beekeepers ensure that bees are not harmed or stressed during the wax collection process. For instance, the wax can be harvested without endangering the hive, and any extracted wax is often minimal, leaving enough for bees to continue thriving. The beeswax collection is also managed in a way that doesn’t interfere with the bees’ roles in pollination, which is essential for biodiversity.
- Zero Artificial Feed: Some beekeepers feed the bees their own honey instead of using sugar water or other substitutes. This practice supports the bees’ nutrition and health, making the process more sustainable and less exploitative.
For those who adopt these standards, beeswax may be considered vegan-friendly and cruelty-free since it doesn’t involve direct harm or exploitation. However, other vegans feel that any use of animal byproducts or insects is inherently exploitative and, therefore, incompatible with vegan values.
Ultimately, it’s a personal decision within the vegan community, with some people viewing ethical beeswax as an acceptable exception and others avoiding it entirely.
Natural vegan waxes
Fortunately, there are widely accepted vegan and sustainable alternatives to paraffin and beeswax candles. The most popular vegan candle waxes are soy, palm, coconut, rapeseed wax or a mixture of some of them. All of these come from plants and are therefore renewable resources.
Coconut wax
Coconut wax is made from the meat of coconuts. It is a sustainable vegan alternative as coconuts are a renewable resource. Coconut wax candles also emit less soot than paraffin candles, and they have a higher melting point, meaning they can hold more fragrance.
Palm wax
Palm wax candles are known for their long-lasting burn time and beautiful appearance, as they often form crystals on the surface of the wax. Palm wax is made from the oil of palm trees. IF IT’S RESPONSIBLY SOURCED and biodiversity is assured, it is a sustainable vegan alternative as palm trees are a renewable resource.
Rapeseed wax
Rapeseed wax is made from rapeseed oil. It is a vegan-friendly and sustainable choice as rapeseeds are a renewable resource. Rapeseed wax candles have a clean and soot-free burn.
Soy wax
Soy wax is made from soybeans, and it is the most popular wax for vegan candles. It is biodegradable and non-toxic, which makes it a sustainable choice. Furthermore, soy candles burn cleaner and longer than paraffin candles, emitting less soot.
We truly think that responsibly and ethically sourced soy wax is one of the best waxes for candles. Therefore, we use it to make our scented soy candles.
So What Should I Look For?
When choosing a candle, don’t be swayed by the front label alone—it’s often designed to catch your eye, not inform you. Many brands use “with” with terms like “natural” or “eco-friendly” to appeal to conscious shoppers, even if the candle contains non-vegan or unsustainable ingredients. To find a truly vegan and sustainable option, go straight to the ingredients list and look for candles made with soy, palm, coconut, or rapeseed wax, or a blend of these plant-based waxes. This way, you’ll know exactly what you’re bringing into your home.
How about scents in candles?
The majority of candles on the market are scented. The most common way to scent a candle is by using fragrance oils, essential oils or a mixture of both.
Fragrance oils
Animal ingredients like musk, ambergris, and civet have historically been used in perfumery, and fragrances were commonly tested on animals. Today, however, most synthetic fragrance oils have been reformulated and are now considered vegan.
These oils are typically made from crude oil derivatives and may contain additives such as phthalates, which have been studied for potential links to health concerns, including endocrine disruption, reproductive issues, and other health effects. [3, 4]
Essential oils
Essential oils, when sourced responsibly and ethically, are considered vegan and sustainable, as they are derived from plants. Unlike synthetic alternatives, essential oils do not contain artificial chemicals. They are also commonly used in aromatherapy for their natural scents and effects. For example, lavender oil is often associated with calming properties, while lemon oil is known to support mood and energy levels.
We adore essential oils and the aromas they provide, so all of our candles are scented with essential oils.
Fragrances And Essential Oils Can Share The Same Ingredients
Interestingly, fragrances and essential oils can share the same ingredients. To achieve a specific scent in fragrance oils, perfume companies use both artificial ingredients and ingredients extracted from plants. For example, linalool and limonene are terpenes naturally occurring in essential oils like bergamot and orange, respectively. However, because they are being mixed with synthetic ingredients, they can’t be called 100% natural, sustainable and eco-friendly anymore.
Which scents are better?
When choosing scented vegan candles, check the label to see what type of scent is used. If it is fragrance oil, make sure that it is vegan, silicon-free, CMR-free and phthalate-free; if it is an essential oil, make sure that it is ethically sourced.
Let’s Not Forget Candle Wicks
The wick is the part of the candle that burns. The most common wicks are made from cotton, linen and wood and are all vegan. However, some companies use beeswax or paraffin with a stearic acid mixture to stiffen the wicks, making them non-vegan. Therefore, when buying a vegan candle, check the label to see what type of wick is used. Though, many companies don’t disclose the contents of their wicks.
At Snug Scent, we use ONLY natural cotton wicks treated with vegetable wax. Therefore, you can rest assured you are getting the most vegan experience possible.
Things to consider
It’s not just about the contents of the candle but how it’s made too. If animal habitats are damaged in making vegan products, they might not be as vegan-friendly as you’d like. Palm oil wax is a good example – while the candle may be vegan, the process of producing the palm oil can damage ecosystems and ruin habitats. Harming local habitats not only makes the candle non-vegan but also non-cruelty-free.
We ensure that our suppliers provide us with wax that is not only vegan but also ethically and sustainably sourced, meaning it’s not harming the habitats. In addition, we are planting a tree with every order to help restore our planet!
Do the best you can
It can feel like a bit of a minefield, but veganism is about doing the best you can with the information that you have. As long as you’re making an effort to avoid animal products, checking the company’s sustainability policy (if they have one), and being mindful of the environment, you’re doing a great job!
Our approach to vegan candles
At Snug Scent, we’re passionate about offering a luxurious selection of vegan and sustainable candles crafted with care. Each of our candles is made with 100% pure soy wax, responsibly sourced to ensure it’s as gentle on the planet as it is on your senses. We scent our candles exclusively with pure essential oils, providing a natural, soothing aroma that enhances any space. Learn how we ensure that Snug Scent candles are vegan.
Frequently Asked Questions
A candle is considered vegan if all its components, including the wax, wick, scent, and adhesive, are made from plant-based or synthetic materials and not derived from animals or animal by-products.
Essential oils, if responsibly and ethically sourced, are vegan and sustainable. They are derived from plants and do not contain synthetic chemicals. They also offer various aromatherapy benefits.
Paraffin wax candles are not typically considered vegan or sustainable. While paraffin wax itself is a petroleum by-product and technically vegan, it’s often mixed with stearic acid (usually sourced from animals) to harden the wax and increase burning time. Moreover, paraffin wax is harmful to the environment and human health as it produces soot and pollutants when burned.
Most fragrance oils are considered vegan today, as they have been reformulated to exclude animal ingredients. However, they can still contain harmful synthetic chemicals.
Beeswax is a contentious subject in veganism. While it is renewable and sustainable, and can be sourced without harming bees, it is still a product of animal labour, which some vegans may not find acceptable.
When choosing scented vegan candles, look for candles with either vegan fragrance oils that are free of silicon, CMR substances, and phthalates, or ethically sourced essential oils.
A candle wick is vegan if it is made from plant-based or synthetic materials. The most common vegan wicks are made from cotton, linen, or wood. However, some companies use beeswax or a paraffin and stearic acid mixture to stiffen the wicks, which would not be vegan.
Vegan and sustainable alternatives to paraffin and beeswax candles include soy, palm, coconut, and rapeseed wax, or a combination of these. These waxes are derived from plants, making them renewable resources.
The type of adhesive used to attach the candle wick can impact whether the candle is vegan. Many adhesives are made from animal products, while others are made from synthetic materials. Vegans typically accept the second one.
Coconut wax is made from the meat of coconuts and is a sustainable vegan alternative. It emits less soot than paraffin candles, has a higher melting point, and can hold more fragrance.
The process of making vegan candles is important because if animal habitats are damaged in the process, the product might not be as vegan-friendly or cruelty-free as desired. For instance, while palm oil wax itself is vegan, the process of producing it can damage ecosystems and ruin habitats.
Palm wax is made from the oil of palm trees and is a sustainable vegan alternative if responsibly sourced and biodiversity assured. Palm wax candles are known for their long-lasting burn time and beautiful crystalline appearance.
When purchasing vegan and sustainable candles, consider the type of wax, scent, and wick used, and the type of adhesive for the wick. Also, consider the impact of the candle’s production process on animal habitats and whether the company has a sustainability policy.
Rapeseed wax is made from rapeseed oil. It is a vegan-friendly and sustainable choice, offering a clean and soot-free burn.
Snug Scent ensures their candles are vegan and sustainable by using responsibly sourced and sustainable pure soy wax, scenting their candles with pure essential oils, and using untreated cotton wicks that are attached with vegan glue. They also use recycled and recyclable materials for packaging, and they plant a tree with every order to offset their environmental impact.
Soy wax is a popular choice for vegan candles because it’s made from soybeans, a renewable resource. It is biodegradable and non-toxic, making it a sustainable choice. Soy candles also burn cleaner and longer than paraffin candles, emitting less soot.
When buying a candle, check the label to see what type of wax it is made of. Look for candles made with soy, palm, coconut, or rapeseed wax. Also, check the type of scent and wick used, and ensure that the adhesive used for the wick is vegan.
Fragrance oils and essential oils are both used to scent candles. Fragrance oils are synthetic and can contain harmful chemicals, but most have been reformulated to be vegan. Essential oils are derived from plants and are generally vegan and sustainable.
I absolutely love how this article delves into the distinction between fragrance oils and essential oils in vegan candles. It’s so important to understand the difference.