Ultimate Candle Buying Guide – Choose the Perfect One
💁♀️ Why Choosing Non-Toxic, Natural Candles Matters for Your Health
Candles do more than light up a room—they transform your space into a sanctuary of calm, clarity, and comfort. In this guide, you’ll learn how to choose the best natural candles, burn them safely, and enjoy the full aromatherapy benefits of lavender and other botanicals.
🔎 Table of Contents
- Choosing the Right Candle Wax: Soy, Coconut, or Beeswax
- Candle Sizes, Burn Time and Room Matching
- Fragrance Oils vs Essential Oils in Candles
- What to Look for on a Candle Label
- Matching Candle Scents to Your Mood and Space
- Quick Tips for Choosing the Best Natural Candle
- Experience Pure, Natural Candle Aromatherapy
🌿 Choosing the Right Wax: Soy, Coconut, or Beeswax?
Many conventional candles are made with paraffin wax, a petroleum-derived byproduct of crude oil refining. When burned, paraffin releases volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as toluene and benzene—substances linked to indoor air pollution, respiratory irritation, and even long-term health concerns.
While paraffin candles may be cheaper, they’re not worth the potential risks to your home’s air quality—especially if used frequently in small or poorly ventilated spaces.
✅ Safer Natural Wax Alternatives:
- Soy Wax – Made from soybean oil, this eco-friendly wax burns slowly and evenly. It’s biodegradable, clean-burning, and excellent for dispersing natural fragrance without producing black soot.
- Beeswax – A completely natural wax that purifies the air by releasing negative ions. It has a naturally sweet aroma and burns with a warm golden glow, ideal for people sensitive to synthetic scents.
- Coconut Wax – One of the most sustainable waxes, coconut wax offers a creamy texture, an even burn, and excellent scent throw—perfect for premium essential oil candles.
💡 Pro tip: Always check the label. Some candles labeled as “soy” may still contain paraffin blends. Look for 100% soy, beeswax, or coconut wax for the cleanest burn.
Choosing the right wax isn’t just about fragrance—it’s about your health, home environment, and peace of mind. That’s why all candles at Lavender Backyard Garden are handcrafted with 100% natural soy wax, infused only with pure essential oils, and completely paraffin-free.
🔍 Quick Comparison: Wax Types at a Glance
Wax Type | Burn Quality | Air Purity | Scent Throw | Best Use Area |
---|---|---|---|---|
Soy Wax | Long-lasting, clean, minimal soot | Good – plant-based and biodegradable | Moderate to strong (great for essential oils) | Bedrooms, bathrooms, daily use |
Beeswax | Very slow, warm glow, drip-free | Excellent – naturally purifies air | Subtle – has natural honey scent | Living rooms, dining areas, gifts |
Coconut Wax | Even burn, minimal soot, luxury finish | Excellent – clean and sustainable | Strong scent throw, smooth diffusion | Spa rooms, gifting, premium spaces |
🕯️ Candle Sizes, Burn Time & Room Matching (g-based)
Choosing the right candle size ensures the fragrance fills your space effectively without overpowering it. Here's a simple guide based on candle wax weight:
How Candle Size Impacts Fragrance & Atmosphere
Larger candles contain more wax, which not only extends burn time but also helps disperse scent more evenly across wider spaces. However, using too large a candle in a small area can overwhelm your senses, while too small a candle in a big room may be underwhelming.
- Small candles (50–80g) are ideal for short rituals, bathrooms, or adding ambiance to small nooks.
- Mid-size jars (100–150g) are best for desks, bedrooms, or meditation corners—spaces where calm focus is needed.
- Larger candles (200–300g) offer steady fragrance throw and make perfect centrepieces for dining rooms and open kitchens.
- Extra-large candles (300g+) are great for long evening use or larger living spaces, especially if you want the aroma to linger.
💡 Tip: Want long-lasting fragrance without constantly re-lighting? Rotate between mid- and large-size candles throughout your home.
Candle Size (g) | Best For | Approx. Burn Time |
---|---|---|
50–80g | Small rooms, bathrooms, bedside | 10–20 hours |
100–150g | Desks, bedrooms | 20–30 hours |
200–300g | Living rooms, kitchens | 40–60 hours |
300g+ | Open-plan areas, long evenings | 60+ hours |
🌸 Fragrance Oils vs. Essential Oils in Candles: What’s Really Inside?
When it comes to candles, scent is everything—but not all scents are created equal. The type of oil used to scent your candle can significantly impact not just how it smells, but how it makes you feel.
🔬 What Are Fragrance Oils?
Fragrance oils are synthetically created in labs to mimic specific scents—like vanilla, ocean breeze, or even “fresh linen.” While they offer a strong and consistent scent throw, they often contain phthalates, aldehydes, and other chemicals that may cause:
- Headaches or dizziness
- Respiratory irritation
- Hormonal disruptions in sensitive individuals
These additives are commonly found in mass-produced scented candles and are often listed vaguely as “fragrance” or “parfum.”
🌿 What Are Essential Oils?
Essential oils, on the other hand, are naturally extracted from plants, herbs, or flowers using methods like steam distillation or cold pressing. These oils don’t just smell good—they offer aromatherapeutic benefits for both mind and body:
- Lavender essential oil promotes relaxation and deeper sleep
- Rosemary essential oil supports mental clarity and focus
- Patchouli and vetiver help ground emotions and reduce anxiety
Because essential oils are plant-based, they deliver subtle, clean aromas that are more soothing and less overwhelming than synthetic fragrances. Curious about the full comparison? Read our guide on Fragrance Oils vs. Essential Oils to learn more.
💡 Why We Only Use Essential Oils in Our Candles
At Lavender Backyard Garden, we grow our own lavender, rosemary, and botanicals to produce pure essential oils through small-batch steam distillation. Every candle is made with:
- 100% natural soy or coconut wax
- Only pure essential oils—no synthetic fragrance blends
- Subtle, nature-inspired scent profiles that won’t overpower your space
Whether you’re unwinding after a long day or setting the mood for meditation, our essential oil candles offer a gentler, safer alternative that respects your senses and your health.
✨ Try our Lavender Votive Soy Candle for a clean, calming scent made with real lavender essential oil from our farm.
🕯️ Want Your Candle to Burn Longer & Cleaner?
Now that you’ve found the perfect natural candle, it’s just as important to burn it properly to avoid tunnelling, reduce waste, and enjoy a full fragrance experience. Curious about how to care for your candle?
👉 Learn more in our Candle Burning Guide, where we explain the right way to trim the wick, set the memory ring, and safely extend your candle’s life.
🛍️ What to Look for on a Candle Label
Why? Many shoppers don’t know how to read candle labels. Adding this will improve the “buying guide” credibility and SEO targeting.
Content Suggestion:
- Look for “100% soy wax” or “beeswax” with no paraffin
- Identify the scent source: “essential oil” vs. “fragrance”
- Check for wick material (avoid metal cores; choose cotton or wood)
- Burn time estimate (helps match to your need)
- Ingredients list or lack thereof—transparency matters
📝 Candle Buying Checklist: What to Look For Before You Light Up
✅ Buying Checklist | What to Look For |
---|---|
Wax Type | 100% Soy, Beeswax, or Coconut |
Scent | Essential Oils (Not “Fragrance”) |
Wick | Cotton or Wood (No metal) |
Label | Transparent ingredients |
Burn Time | Match to your room size & usage |
🧘 Matching Scents to Moods & Occasions
Not sure which candle to light when? Choosing the right scent for the right moment can uplift your mood, support relaxation, or create the perfect ambience. Here's how our essential oil candles can enhance different spaces and occasions:
- Lavender: Best for bedtime rituals, relaxation, and reducing stress. Ideal in bedrooms and evening baths.
- Rosemary: Sharp and herbal—great for improving focus. Perfect for home offices and study desks. Our Focus Candle blends lavender and rosemary essential oils to help you stay calm and clear-headed throughout the day.
- Peppermint & Eucalyptus: Invigorating and refreshing. Use in bathrooms or mornings to energise your space.
- Patchouli & Vetiver: Deep, grounding scents. Ideal for meditation corners or yoga rooms.
- Citrus blends (like lemon or orange): Bright and uplifting. Perfect for kitchens or daytime living areas.
💡 Pro tip: Light the candle 30 minutes before your activity begins to let the scent diffuse gently throughout the room. Try our Lavender & Patchouli Soy Candle for a deeply grounding experience, perfect for quiet evenings, journaling, or mindfulness rituals.
🪴 Quick Tips for Selecting the Best Candles
If you're on the hunt for safe, non-toxic candles that also smell amazing, keep these quick tips in mind when shopping for your next favourite natural aromatherapy candle:
✅ Choose natural waxes (soy, beeswax, or coconut): These plant-based options burn cleaner and don’t release harmful toxins like paraffin does.
✅ Opt for candles scented with essential oils: Essential oils provide real aromatherapy benefits without synthetic chemicals.
✅ Read the label carefully: Some candles marketed as “soy” may still contain paraffin blends—look for 100% soy or coconut wax.
✅ Be mindful of scent sensitivities: Even natural oils like lavender or citrus can be strong for some; choose what suits your space and mood.
🕯️ Want to go deeper? Visit our Complete Candle Care & Buying Guide to explore wax types, wick tips, burn times, and mindful candle rituals in more detail.
🌿 Ready to try one for yourself? Explore our non-toxic candle collection →
🌸 Experience Pure, Natural Candle Aromatherapy
At Lavender Backyard Garden, a New Zealand herb farm, we grow lavender, rosemary, and other botanicals to produce our own award-winning essential oils through steam distillation. Our candles are handcrafted in small batches using 100% natural soy wax or coconut wax and pure essential oils, ensuring a clean, toxin-free burn.