Generally speaking, sustainable candles don’t harm the planet, but we also want to make sure that Pine Forest scent isn’t harming anything ON the planet, either. We’re talking about vegan candles.
Contrary to popular belief, even non-beeswax candles likely contain stearic acid to harden the wax—which is commonly sourced from animal sources (like sheep and cow fat), but we would rather set the cozy mood with something that doesn’t involve animal cruelty.
So that’s exactly what we’re spotlighting here, a list of artisan-made cruelty-free candles made by brands who not only care about our furry friends but also the environment.
We’ll soon be burning through this list again using our new Brand Rating System. It will employ an array of eco-related factors like biodiversity, and climate impacts and circularity, to help us illuminate the best brands out there. Read more in our explainer here.
We independently research all featured brands and we ask them to confirm their claims. In many cases we personally review recommended products. This post contains affiliate links which means we may earn a commission if you buy something. Learn more here.
Cruelty-Free Candles To Warm Your Heart & Home
For a clean burn with ingredients mostly sourced from the USA, Paddywax provides an animal-friendly answer in a jar that can become a margarita glass, no less.
Made in their LA-based warehouse, P.F. Candle Co. says “pfft” to animal-derived ingredients and instead uses locally sourced soy. We love their perfectly balanced scents (Sandalwood Rose is our current favorite), as well as the reusable amber glass jars the candles come in.
Index: Best Vegan Candles
- PF Candle Co Jump to brand
- Sanari Candle Jump to brand
- Paddywax Jump to brand
- Octo London Jump to brand
- My Mantra and Co Jump to brand
PF Candle Co
P.F. Candle Co
Price Range: $24–$29
Want lavish smells but without petroleum-based paraffin?
Lucky for you, P.F. Candle Co. uses 100% domestically sourced soy in their vegan soy wax candles. It’s topped off with a clean-burning cotton-core wick and fragrance oils to make scents like Cedar & Sagebrush. You won’t have to worry about animal-derived ingredients, animal testing, parabens, or phthalates, either.
The amber apothecary jars are designed to be recycled or repurposed and are shipped in recycled packaging.
About P.F. Candle Co.
The husband and wife team behind P.F. Candle Co. was inspired to make high-end candles—without the high-end prices—and now employ more than 60 employees in their fair labor LA warehouse.
My Personal Review of PF Candle Co’s Sandalwood Rose Soy Candle:
“I love the warm glow of a candle on a cold winter night, but I’m not a fan of the synthetic fragrances and petroleum-based wax most candles are made with. That’s why PF Candle Co is my go-to. The Sandalwood Rose scent, with its balanced blend of warm sandalwood and delicate rose, is my favorite. It’s perfectly balanced—cozy, yet fresh. Plus, since it’s made from soy wax, it burns cleanly without leaving a black mark above it.”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Sanari Candle
Sanari Candle
Price Range: $34–$46
Inner balance, focus, and calm are said to be a byproduct of using a vegan wax candle with essential oils from Sanari Candle. They source the all-natural, non-GMO, vegan ingredients and leave out artificial chemicals and carcinogens.
If you’re seeking soy candles with essential oils, know Sanari scents—like Fresco (Persian lime, basil, sage) and Aria (tangerine, ylang-ylang, lavender)—are created using only natural essential oils. USDA-certified organic coconut-soy oils bring forth the fragrances’ true essence, and the wick is made from 100% unbleached cotton.
Recycled and recyclable glass jars and packaging materials are used.
Sanari’s Ethical and Sustainability Practices
The word ‘Sanari’ is a combination of the founders’ children’s names, Ari and Sanam, meaning air and love—because these candles create love in the air we breathe. The brand was started when founder Rebecca was diagnosed with breast cancer and decided to rid her home of all possible toxins.
They’re hand-poured in California, USA and many of the brand’s partner farmers use sustainable solar panels, alternative fuels, and less irrigation water.
5% of every sale is donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
Paddywax
Paddywax
Price Range: $16–$56
With scents like Heirloom Tomato and La Playa jars that become margarita glasses when the scented candle is finished, Paddywax provides much more than good sensory experiences.
All of their glass, tin, and ceramic candle vessels are designed to be repurposed into things like succulent planters, pencil cups, and cereal bowls.
Instead of animal-based ingredients, a US-farmed soy wax blend is used. The clean-burning blend is then combined with fragrance oils and topped off with a 100% cotton wick.
About Paddywax
Aware that scent is strongly linked to memory and emotion, Paddwax wants to bring the power of fragrance into each and every home. Paddywax sources their ingredients with intentionality before the soy-based vegan candles are hand-poured by chandlers (candle makers) in their Nashville factory.
Octo London
Octo London
Price Range: $14–$26
Octo London candles are 100% handmade with soy wax, 100% natural essential oils (no artificial fragrance oils), and cotton wicks. Pure illumination, without synthetic or chemical ingredients.
Capture every mood, place, and memory with fragrances like Italian Garden, Midnight Breeze, and Morning Light, each packaged in a recycled cardboard box.
About Octo London
Octo’s cruelty-free candles are made in small batches by Leva and François in their South London home. Just because the business is small doesn’t mean their name is. This Etsy shop has been featured by the likes of Vogue, Vegan Food & Living, and The Financial Times.
My Mantra and Co
Mantra and Co
Price Range: $27–$35
Doing no harm to animals should be everyone’s mantra. That’s why My Mantra makes one-of-a-kind vegan wood wick candles from 100% pure soy wax. They don’t contain additives and are never tested on animals. Intoxicating scents like Confetti Cake and Blueberry Parfait come from high-quality fragrance oils that are free from phthalates and parabens.
If you don’t enjoy the crackling of the sustainably sourced wood wick, lead-free cotton wicks are also available.
The candles are housed in recyclable/reusable tins and jars and are sent in responsible materials with minimal plastic.
About My Mantra and Co
Shop owner and creator Samantha personally handcrafts everything in her small family home in Ontario. She’s driven by a famous Sanskrit mantra: “Lokah Samastuh Sukhino Bhavantu,” which means, “May all beings everywhere be happy and free. And may the thoughts, words, and actions of your own life contribute in some way to the happiness and freedom of all.”
Everything aside from the wood wicks is sourced from Canada.
Siblings sadly are not vegan. On their website under FAQ “What are your candles made of, exactly?
Our candle wax is a blend of coconut wax with soy and bees wax for stability. And a little apricot oil too. It is free of parabens and phthalates.”
oh goodness Sharon, you’re very right, thanks for letting us know and apologies for that. I’m sending this through to the editorial team for a refresh (it’s kind of old now) and to update with all the best vegan candles on offer these days. Let me know if you found any in your search that should be on the list. Thanks again!