Natural Scented Candles: What Makes Them Actually Natural

Walk into any candle store and you'll see "natural" stamped on dozens of labels. Natural soy. Natural fragrances. Natural this, natural that.

Here's the problem: There's no legal definition of "natural" for candles. Any brand can slap the word on their label, regardless of what's actually inside. Most do.

So what makes a candle genuinely natural? It comes down to three components: the wax, the fragrance, and the wick. Get all three right, and you have a truly clean-burning candle. Cut corners on any of them, and "natural" becomes marketing spin.

Here's how to tell the difference—and what to look for when you're shopping for candles that won't compromise your air quality or health.

What Makes a Candle "Natural"?

A truly natural scented candle uses plant-based or minimally processed materials in every component:

The wax comes from renewable plant sources (coconut, soy, palm) or beeswax, not petroleum derivatives.

The fragrance uses essential oils or phthalate-free fragrance oils without synthetic chemicals that disrupt hormones or respiratory function.

The wick is made from cotton, wood, or paper—never lead or zinc cores that release toxic metals when burned.

Everything else—dyes, additives, stabilizers—should be minimal or absent entirely.

That's the standard. Most candles marketed as "natural" fail at least one of these criteria. Many fail all three.

Natural Wax Types: The Foundation of Clean Candles

The wax is the largest component of any candle, so this is where "natural" matters mostFor a deeper dive into wax chemistry and performance, see our complete guide to candle wax types.. 

Coconut Wax

Coconut wax burns the cleanest of all plant-based options. It's made from the meat of coconuts (a renewable resource), produces minimal soot, and holds fragrance exceptionally well without synthetic additives.

The downside? Pure coconut wax is expensive and can be too soft for container candles, which is why most brands blend it with other waxes.

Soy Wax

Soy became the "natural" darling of the candle industry over the past decade. It's plant-based, renewable, and widely available.

But there are complications. Most soy is genetically modified. Soy farming has significant environmental impact. And cheap soy wax often contains additives (like paraffin) that brands don't disclose on labels.

Soy can be natural. But "soy wax candle" doesn't automatically mean clean or sustainable.

Beeswax

Beeswax is genuinely natural—bees produce it, humans harvest it, done. It burns slowly, smells subtly sweet, and produces negative ions that some claim purify air (though evidence is limited).

The catch: Beeswax isn't vegan. It's expensive. And it doesn't hold added fragrance well, which is why pure beeswax candles are usually unscented or lightly scented.

Coconut-Apricot Wax Blends

This is what we use at Nagomi. Coconut-apricot wax combines the clean burn of coconut with the stability and fragrance retention of apricot kernel oil. It's plant-based, renewable, and performs better than single-source waxes.

The blend creates a smooth, even burn without petroleum additives, synthetic hardeners, or the environmental baggage of large-scale soy farming.

What to Avoid: Paraffin and "Wax Blends"

Paraffin is petroleum-based—essentially a byproduct of crude oil refining. It's cheap, widely used, and releases chemicals like toluene and benzene when burned. These compounds are linked to respiratory issues and are known carcinogens in high concentrations.

If a candle says "wax blend" without specifying what's in it, assume paraffin is involved. Truly natural brands are transparent about wax composition because it's a selling point.

The Fragrance Problem: Where Most "Natural" Candles Fail

This is where the term "natural" becomes almost meaningless.

Under US law, fragrance formulas are considered proprietary trade secrets. Brands aren't required to disclose what's in their fragrance oils. A label can say "fragrance" or "parfum" and legally contain hundreds of undisclosed synthetic chemicals.

The Phthalate Issue

Phthalates are the biggest concern. These chemicals make fragrances last longer and spread further, which is why they're in most cheap fragrance oils. We explored this issue in depth in our post about phthalate-free fragrances.They're also hormone disruptors linked to reproductive issues, respiratory problems, and developmental harm in children.

The fragrance industry uses them because they work and they're inexpensive. Consumers don't know they're there because disclosure isn't required.

Essential Oils vs Fragrance Oils

Essential oils are extracted directly from plants—steam distillation, cold pressing, etc. They're unquestionably natural.

But they're also expensive, don't always perform well in candles, and some (like citrus oils) become irritants when heated. Pure essential oil candles are rare, costly, and often weak in scent throw.

Fragrance oils are lab-formulated compounds. They can be entirely synthetic, entirely natural, or (most commonly) a blend. "Fragrance oil" doesn't automatically mean synthetic or toxic—it just means you need to know what's in it.

Phthalate-Free Fragrance Oils: The Middle Ground

This is Nagomi's approach. We work exclusively with US-made fragrance oil suppliers who test and verify every batch as phthalate-free, paraben-free, and free from known carcinogens or reproductive toxins.

Our fragrances often incorporate essential oils when they're safe and effective for candle use. But we don't compromise performance or safety by insisting on "100% essential oil" formulations that don't work well in practice.

The result: candles that smell beautiful, burn clean, and don't release hormone disruptors into your home.

If a brand claims "natural fragrance" but won't specify phthalate-free or disclose testing, assume the worst.

Wicks and Other Ingredients

The wick seems minor, but it matters.

What's in Your Wick?

Cotton wicks are standard for natural candles. They're plant-based, burn cleanly, and don't release metals or synthetic compounds.

Wood wicks create a crackling sound people love. They're natural (actual wood), but some are treated with chemicals to improve performance. Ask brands if their wood wicks are untreated.

Lead-core wicks were banned in the US in 2003, but zinc-core wicks are still legal. These metal cores help wicks stand upright in soft waxes, but they release metal particulates when burned. Avoid them.

Dyes and Additives

Truly natural candles are undyed. The wax color comes from the natural material—creamy white for coconut, pale yellow for beeswax, off-white for soy.

If a candle is brightly colored, dyes were added. Some are natural (like mica powder), but most are synthetic. The cleaner approach: skip dyes entirely.

Additives like vybar (synthetic polymer) or stearic acid (can be natural or synthetic) are sometimes used to improve hardness or scent throw. Natural candles minimize or eliminate these.

How to Choose Natural Scented Candles

When you're shopping for genuinely natural candles, here's what to look for:

Transparency about ingredients. Natural brands list their wax type, specify phthalate-free fragrances, and disclose wick materials. Vague terms like "premium wax blend" or "fine fragrance" are red flags.

Certifications (when they exist). There's no "USDA Organic" for candles, but some brands pursue certifications like MADE SAFE or similar third-party testing. These aren't perfect, but they show commitment to transparency.

Realistic pricing. Truly natural materials cost more than petroleum byproducts and synthetic fragrances. If a candle is $12 for 10 ounces, it's not made with coconut wax and phthalate-free oils. The economics don't work.

Brand values alignment. Companies serious about natural products usually extend that commitment beyond candles—sustainable packaging, transparent sourcing, clear ingredient disclosure. It's a philosophy, not just a marketing angle.

Questions to Ask Brands

• What type of wax do you use? (Specific answer, not "soy blend")
• Are your fragrances phthalate-free? (Yes/no, not "we use premium oils")
• Do you test for phthalates? (Testing matters more than claims)
• What are your wicks made of? (Cotton, wood, or avoid)
• Do you use dyes or synthetic additives? (The answer should be no)

If a brand can't or won't answer these questions clearly, walk away.

What Nagomi Does Differently

We don't use "natural" as a marketing term. We use it as a standard.

Every Nagomi candle is made with coconut-apricot wax (plant-based, renewable, no petroleum), phthalate-free fragrance oils tested and verified by US suppliers, and cotton wicks with no metal cores.

We don't add synthetic dyes, vybar, or unnecessary stabilizers. The candles are the color they are because that's the color of the wax.

Our fragrances are formulated as aromatherapy tools—blends designed to support specific rituals and mental states, not just smell pleasantThis reflects the philosophy of nagomi—creating harmony through intentional practice.. Dragon's Whisper, for instance, uses cedarwood and warm spice to mark transitions between ordinary and ritual time.  Bamboo Breeze combines green bamboo and rose for mental clarity during morning practices. That's why we spend more on fragrance development and testing than most brands our size.

We know what corners brands cut and why. We don't cut them.

If you want to experience what genuinely natural scented candles feel like—clean burn, real fragrance, no chemical aftertaste in the air—try a mini-tin for $8.99. Six hours of burn time. If the scent works for you, the full-size candle offers 40+ hours with the same clean formulation.

No compromises. No hidden chemicals. Just candles made the way they should be.