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What's really inside your scented candle- and why it matters

  • Ben
  • 11 hours ago
  • 9 min read
Kyrra Freyr Organic Candle
Kyrra Freyr Organic Candle

What's Really Inside Your Scented Candle (And Why It Matters)


Most people give very little thought to what's actually in their scented candle. It smells beautiful, it flickers warmly, it makes the room feel like home. Job done.

But spend any time burning candles regularly in a bedroom, a living room, or a bathroom — and the question of what's actually in them starts to matter quite a lot.

The answer, for most candles on the market, isn't particularly reassuring.

When we started developing Kyrra's candle range, we did what we always do — pulled the category apart, understood every problem with it, and worked out how to solve them properly. What we found surprised even us.

Here's what you need to know.


Why does it matter?


The UK spends almost £200 million a year on scented candles. They're a staple from supermarkets right up to high-end spas and boutiques — and many luxury fashion brands now have their own candle lines. But very few people know what's actually in them, and whether paying more gets you something genuinely better.

Here's the thing about burning a candle indoors: you're introducing combustion products directly into your breathing space. That's fine if what you're burning is clean. It's a very different matter if what you're burning is a petroleum by-product combined with synthetic fragrance chemicals — which, for the majority of candles on sale today, is exactly what's happening.

The enclosed spaces where most people burn candles — bedrooms at night, bathrooms during a bath, small living rooms — concentrate whatever is being released far more than you might realise. The EPA's Indoor Air Quality programme has documented that indoor air can be 2 to 5 times more polluted than outdoor air. Burning a paraffin candle with synthetic fragrance regularly is one measurable contributor to that.

A high quality candle is made of around 90% wax and roughly 10% fragrance — so understanding both ingredients matters enormously.



What's actually in candle wax?


Paraffin


About half of all scented candles are made from paraffin — a refined petroleum waste by-product that has been chemically bleached and deodorised before use. It burns well, is consistent, and is very cheap. Unfortunately, it also gives off a number of toxins when burned, including benzene, toluene, and tar-like soot particles that can cause respiratory problems. Research from South Carolina State University found that paraffin candle soot most closely resembles diesel vehicle exhaust in chemical composition — containing formaldehyde, dioxins, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), classified by the EPA as probable human carcinogens.

A paraffin candle in a large, well-ventilated space isn't likely to cause a significant problem. However, we tend to burn scented candles in smaller, enclosed spaces to maximise scent enjoyment — and that also means a higher concentration of toxic particles.


Soy


Soy wax is by far the next most common type of wax, used as the mainstay in most candles labelled "natural" or "natural blend." It burns reliably, gives off far fewer toxic chemicals than paraffin, and costs a little more. So far, so good.

But soy wax is far from natural in many important respects. Most soy used in candle wax is grown from genetically modified crops in intensive farming monocultures, with heavy use of fertiliser and pesticides. In many regions, soy cultivation is directly linked with deforestation. The wax itself also requires intensive industrial processing. Overall, soy is considerably better to breathe in than paraffin — but not necessarily much better for the environment.


The more sustainable alternatives


The most sustainable wax options tend to be the most expensive — but for good reason. Coconut wax gives a slow, clean burn and is very sustainably grown without intensive farming practices. Beeswax provides a high quality burn with a subtly sweet natural aroma, and there is some evidence that the negative ions released during burning may help purify the air, though this hasn't been conclusively proven.

Rapeseed and apricot wax are also strong options, with less intensive, wildlife-positive farming practices, a high quality burn, and low toxicity. British-grown rapeseed in particular has a compelling sustainability story — rapeseed flowers provide a critical early-season source of pollen and nectar for bees and other pollinators, supporting a food source whose decline has contributed to a 24% decrease in pollinator distribution in the UK since 1980. Choosing British rapeseed wax actively supports the farming of a crop that feeds our pollinators, keeps supply chains short, and invests in British agriculture.



What pitfalls do I need to look out for?


There are two widespread marketing terms worth being cautious about.

"Natural wax blend" is often used to mean natural wax mixed with paraffin — in some cases as little as 5% natural wax and 95% paraffin. That wording is designed to make a product feel more natural than it is. Look instead for "100% natural wax", or better still, the individual wax ingredients named explicitly.

"Organic" is used misleadingly by several candle brands to suggest environmentally friendly, pesticide-free cultivation — some even apply the term to candles made with partly synthetic ingredients. Look instead for "certified organic", which indicates ingredients have been independently assessed and validated against set environmental criteria. In the UK, the Soil Association is the most rigorous certification body for organic claims.


What's actually in the fragrance?


75% of scented candles on the market are made with entirely synthetic fragrance. A smaller proportion use a blend of synthetic and natural, and a smaller proportion still use 100% natural fragrance. Most people have no idea which category their candle falls into.

Synthetic fragrance

Synthetic fragrance is widely used for understandable reasons. It is consistent, its scent throw and longevity can be optimised, and it gives manufacturers — from budget producers to luxury houses — an enormous range of options to create unique and complex blends. Some high-end candle brands use very expensive synthetic fragrance compounds to achieve their distinctive scents.

The significant downside is that close to 100% of synthetic fragrance ingredients are derived from petroleum and undergo numerous industrial processes. Studies have shown that many components in synthetic fragrances, particularly during combustion, can cause allergies, toxicity, or hormone disruption — affecting people of any age, but particularly problematic around conception and pregnancy, which is why fragrance in general is often advised to be avoided during those times.

There is also no requirement to list individual fragrance chemicals on a candle label — only specific allergens. So if your candle simply says "fragrance", "fragrance oil", or "parfum", you have no way of knowing what you're actually burning.


Natural fragrance


Natural fragrances — most commonly pure essential oils — are derived from their named plants, typically through steam distillation or cold pressing. They can contain allergens, but are generally much lower in harmful compounds than synthetic alternatives. At adequate concentrations, natural essential oils can also have genuine positive effects on mood and wellbeing — which is the basis of aromatherapy, and something that doesn't apply to synthetic fragrance at all.

There are real challenges with natural fragrance. Ingredients can be expensive or rare. The range of available oils is more limited than synthetic options. Achieving a consistent burn and scent throw with natural oils requires significant expertise and development time — which is why so many natural candle brands end up with very similar-smelling products.


How do I know if a fragrance is synthetic?


Unless a candle specifically states "100% natural fragrance" or "100% pure essential oils", the fragrance is almost certainly synthetic. The terms "fragrance oil", "fragrance", or "parfum" all refer to synthetic fragrance. Claims like "made with essential oils" or "infused with natural fragrance" may indicate only a very small proportion of natural ingredients alongside a predominantly synthetic base.


Why do so many candles smell the same?


This is something most consumers have never considered, but it explains a lot. Most small candle brands — and many larger ones — buy pre-mixed scent formulas from large fragrance houses rather than developing their own. Most of these are synthetic, though a small number of natural formulas are also available. It makes commercial sense: pre-tested formulas are known to burn well and smell good, and scent development from scratch is expensive and time-consuming.

The result is that candle brands are free to name their scents whatever they like, as long as regulatory labelling requirements are met. One brand's "Peony Delight" could be chemically identical to another brand's "English Flower Garden." Buying from a brand that develops and sources its own fragrance blends in-house is the only guarantee you're getting something genuinely unique.


What about packaging and waste?


The global scented candle market produces an enormous amount of waste. The majority of candles are sold in glass jars or tin containers — technically recyclable materials, but frequently contaminated by wax and fragrance residue that renders them unsuitable for standard recycling. Paraffin wax is not biodegradable. And the synthetic fragrance residue left at the bottom of a finished candle jar is, in effect, a small deposit of petrochemical waste.

Look for candles in genuinely recyclable or reusable containers, with plastic-free outer packaging. If a brand offers a refill or return scheme for their vessels, that's a meaningful commitment rather than a marketing claim.


Kyrra Candles


We avoid paraffin and soy in all of our candles. Here's what we use instead — and why.


Our signature blend uses a combination including British-grown rapeseed wax and certified organic coconut wax from smallholder farmers. It is 100% natural and vegan. The rapeseed is grown here in the UK, supporting British farmers and pollinators.


Our organic candles use a blend of coconut wax and beeswax — with small amounts of palm and carnauba wax — certified 100% organic by the Soil Association. This is the most rigorous organic certification available in the UK, and means every wax ingredient has been independently verified as meeting strict environmental and farming standards.

For fragrance, we use only 100% pure essential oils — steam distilled or cold pressed, never solvent extracted. Every ingredient is sourced by us directly and every blend is developed in-house, which means you won't find our scents in any other brand.

We do this because it allows us to choose ingredients that are not only exceptional in quality, but that are grown in ways that genuinely benefit people and the environment. Our certified organic Madagascan patchouli. Our sustainably harvested certified organic Somali frankincense. Our tribal wild harvested Angolan eucalyptus — sourced from communities whose livelihoods depend on the sustainable management of that landscape.

These aren't marketing claims. They're the reason our candles smell the way they do — and why no other brand can replicate them.

All Kyrra candles are assessed by a qualified cosmetic chemist, with all allergens listed on our packaging and website.





Frequently Asked Questions


Are scented candles bad for your health?


It depends entirely on what they're made from. Candles made with paraffin wax and synthetic fragrance release VOCs, benzene, toluene, phthalates, and soot particles when burned — compounds linked to respiratory irritation, hormonal disruption, headaches, and long-term lung health concerns. Candles made with 100% natural wax and pure essential oils are significantly cleaner burning and do not release petrochemical compounds.


Is paraffin wax dangerous in candles?


Occasional use in a well-ventilated room is considered low risk. However, regular burning of paraffin candles in enclosed spaces — bedrooms, bathrooms, small living rooms — can contribute meaningfully to indoor air pollution. For frequent candle users, switching to a natural wax is a straightforward and meaningful improvement.


What is the cleanest burning candle wax?


Beeswax, coconut wax, rapeseed wax, and soy wax all burn significantly more cleanly than paraffin. Among these, British rapeseed wax has the additional advantage of being locally grown, supporting UK pollinators and farmers, and carrying a much lower carbon footprint than imported alternatives like soy or coconut.


Is soy wax really natural?


Soy wax burns more cleanly than paraffin and is plant-derived, but most soy used in candles comes from genetically modified, intensively farmed monocultures with heavy pesticide use — and in some regions is linked to deforestation. It is better than paraffin from a health perspective, but its environmental credentials are more complicated than most brands suggest.


What does "fragrance" mean on a candle label?


"Fragrance", "fragrance oil", or "parfum" on a candle label is a legal catch-all that can represent hundreds of individual chemical compounds with no requirement to disclose them. It almost always indicates synthetic fragrance. Only candles that state "100% pure essential oils" with a full ingredient list are likely to be made from only natural fragrance ingredients.


Are candles safe during pregnancy?


Most conventional scented candles should be used with caution during pregnancy due to their synthetic fragrance and potential phthalate content. If you want to burn candles during pregnancy, look for 100% natural wax with pure essential oils and a fully disclosed ingredient list — and check individual essential oils for pregnancy safety, as some are not recommended. Kyrra's Astín fragrance is specifically formulated with conception and pregnancy safety in mind.


Are scented candles safe around children?


Paraffin candles with synthetic fragrance should be used with particular caution around children, whose developing respiratory systems are more vulnerable to airborne pollutants. Natural wax candles with pure essential oils are a considerably safer choice — though good ventilation is always advisable when burning any candle around young children.


What is the best natural scented candle in the UK?


The best natural candle will use 100% natural wax — ideally certified organic — with fully disclosed pure essential oil fragrance, sustainable ingredient sourcing, and plastic-free packaging. Kyrra produces what we believe to be the UK's most thoroughly natural scented candle, with many certified organic ingredients, 100% pure essential oils sourced directly from growing communities, and packaging designed for the lowest possible environmental impact.


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