There’s something about lighting a candle on a cozy fall or winter day that feels like a deep exhale. The flick of a match, the warmth of a flame, the way scent softens a space—it’s a little ritual that makes the ordinary feel sacred. Especially in the early, messy years of motherhood, when your nervous system feels frayed and overstimulated, a candle can feel like a soft light in the dark. A reclaiming.
But here’s the part no one told us back when we were impulse-buying cinnamon spice candles from HomeGoods: most mainstream candles are far from harmless. That soothing scent? It’s often made with synthetic fragrance blends—a catch-all term that can hide dozens of unregulated chemicals, including phthalates, which are known endocrine disruptors. And the wax? If it’s made from paraffin, it’s derived from petroleum and can release harmful chemicals like benzene and toluene when burned—especially in winter, when ventilation is poor and our windows stay shut tight.
This matters for everyone. But it especially matters for moms—those of us who are pregnant, postpartum, nursing, or spending 90 percent of our days inside with tiny, developing lungs. When you’re feeding a baby in the same room as a burning candle, or rocking a newborn to sleep just a few feet away, what’s in the air isn’t a small thing.
So no, we’re not saying candles are canceled. We’re saying the bar needs to be higher.
That’s why we created this guide: a curated list of the best nontoxic candles for the holidays—clean-burning, beautifully made, and safe to light around babies, breast pumps, and postpartum bodies. The candles on this list are made from plant-based waxes like coconut and soy, scented with essential oils or phthalate-free blends, and poured with care by brands who don’t cut corners. They’re the kind you can light without second-guessing. The kind you can gift to a friend in her fourth trimester, or burn in your own kitchen while the toys scatter and someone asks for another snack.
Below, we break down what actually makes a candle “nontoxic,” and why it matters more than ever in motherhood—before sharing our favorite safe picks for the season.
Our Favorite Nontoxic Holiday Candles (Clean-Burning & Safe for Moms)
Fontana Candle Company Warm and Cozy Jar Candle Bundle
If you want the winter candle experience without the hormone-disrupting chemicals, Fontana is a sure bet. This bestselling trio includes Spiced Latte, Fir Needle & Pine, and Cinnamon Orange Clove—basically every nostalgic, festive scent you’d want burning from Thanksgiving to New Year’s. Each candle is MADE SAFE–certified (the highest bar for nontoxic home goods) and made with beeswax, coconut oil, and 100% essential oils. No paraffin, no phthalates, no synthetic fragrance—just clean, cozy comfort you can light with zero second guessing.
Aerangis The Forever Candle
Inspired by the founder’s Taiwanese heritage and the white orchid her grandfather grew, these candles are meant to evoke connection, heritage, and intention. Each one is hand-poured in NYC with a sustainable blend of non-toxic soy and coconut wax, plant-based essential oils, and a reusable ceramic vessel (so you can refill instead of toss). The result is a clean burn with a super-luxe eel that’s free from endocrine-disrupting junk.
Somerset Candle Co
Think cozy, coastal New England charm but make it clean. Somerset Candle Co. crafts small-batch soy candles that are free of paraffin, phthalates, and synthetic dyes—so you get all the glow and none of the hidden toxins. Each scent is inspired by simple moments (like sea salt air, freshly cut herbs, or crisp linen) and poured into chic, minimalist jars that actually look good sitting out.
Slow North Candles
If “self-care” could be poured into a jar, this would be it. Slow North handcrafts their candles in Austin using 100% soy wax, cotton wicks, and pure essential oils—no synthetic fragrance, no toxins, no guilt. Scents like Eucalyptus + Lavender or Rosemary + Lemon smell like an actual spa day (not a chemical storm), and the botanical-printed glass jars are pretty enough to reuse long after the last burn. It’s the perfect gift for the mom who craves calm but also cares what’s in the air her kids are breathing.
Arctic Wicks Candles
For moms who want the cozy crackle of a fireplace without the cleanup, Arctic Wicks delivers. These eco-friendly candles are hand-poured with natural coconut–soy wax, scented only with phthalate-free oils, and finished with a wooden wick that gives that addictive soft crackling sound as it burns. The result? Clean air, long-lasting scent, and all the ambiance you need after bedtime. Plus, the minimal jars fit seamlessly into any room—no neon labels or headache-inducing perfumes here.
Living Good Candle Co.
Candles should make your home feel better—not fill it with toxins. Living Good Candle Co. keeps things simple and safe with 100% soy wax, lead-free cotton wicks, and phthalate-free fragrance blends that actually smell like the real thing. From cozy, seasonal favorites to everyday fresh-and-bright scents, these hand-poured jars bring comfort you can feel good about lighting every night. Because a little ritual—done clean—goes a long way in motherhood.
Salt & Stone Scented Candle
Best known for their clean skincare, SALT & STONE also makes seriously luxe candles—and they live up to the hype. Hand-poured in Los Angeles with a sustainable coconut–soy wax blend, these candles are vegan, paraben-free, and infused with complex, elevated scents (think warm bergamot woods or grounding santal + vetiver). They burn slow, clean, and chic—basically the wellness-girl candle you actually want on your nightstand. It’s self-care with a side of style.
BLUEME Eucalyptus & Lime Luxury Candle
If you need an instant mood shift, light this. BLUEME’s three-wick candle blends pure soy wax with essential oils for a clean, powerful burn that fills the whole room. The eucalyptus + lime combo is crisp, bright, and spa-level refreshing—perfect for clearing the mental clutter after a long day of mom-ing. Hand-poured with cotton wicks into a modern ceramic vessel, it looks as good as it smells and burns evenly down to the last drop. Fresh air, bottled in a candle.
