Natural Candles Canada | Clean Burning Candles The Guide
When you light a candle in your home, you're doing more than creating ambiance—you're releasing compounds into the air you breathe. As a professionally trained aromatherapist with over 20 years of experience formulating natural products on Vancouver Island, I've spent considerable time understanding what makes candles truly clean-burning and how to distinguish quality natural candles from synthetic alternatives.
Since founding Tofino Soap Company in 2010, we've been handcrafting natural candles using traditional methods and plant-based waxes. This guide shares what I've learned about candle ingredients, clean-burning properties, and how to choose candles that align with your wellness values.
What Most People Don't Know About Conventional Candles
The candle industry isn't heavily regulated when it comes to ingredient disclosure. Many conventional candles contain paraffin wax (a petroleum byproduct), synthetic fragrances with undisclosed chemical compounds, and metal-core wicks that can release particles when burned.
My professional training in aromatherapy, massage, perfumery, and holistic practices taught me how profoundly scent affects our nervous system and overall wellbeing. Working at the Ancient Cedars Spa at the Wickaninnish Inn in Tofino reinforced this understanding. That experience shaped how I approach candle-making—not just as decorative objects, but as tools for creating healthier indoor environments.
Natural vs Synthetic Candles: A Comparison
| Aspect | Natural Candles | Synthetic Candles |
|---|---|---|
| Wax Source | Plant-based (soy, coconut, beeswax) | Petroleum-based (paraffin) |
| Fragrance | Natural fragrance materials | Fully synthetic compounds |
| Burn Quality | Cleaner burn, less soot | Can produce black soot |
| Wick Type | Cotton or wood | May contain metal cores |
| Ingredient Transparency | Often fully disclosed | Limited disclosure common |
| Renewable Resources | Yes | No (petroleum-derived) |
| Burn Time | Generally longer | Varies widely |
Understanding Wax Types: The Foundation of Quality Candles
The wax is the most important element of any candle. It determines burn quality, soot production, and overall performance.
Soy Wax
Derived from soybeans, soy wax has become popular in natural candle-making. It burns more slowly than paraffin, which often means longer-lasting candles. Soy wax also tends to hold and release fragrance well.
At Tofino Soap Company, we use non-GMO soy wax in our candle formulations, including our best-selling Surf Candle that we've been making since 2010.
Coconut Wax
Coconut wax is another plant-based option that burns cleanly and slowly. It has excellent scent throw, meaning it effectively disperses fragrance throughout a room. We often blend coconut wax with soy for optimal performance.
Beeswax
Beeswax is a natural wax produced by honeybees. It has a subtle honey scent and burns very cleanly. Some people prefer beeswax for its traditional qualities, though it can be more expensive and less versatile for scent blending.
Paraffin Wax
Paraffin is derived from petroleum. While it's inexpensive and widely used, it can produce more soot when burned and doesn't align with plant-based or renewable resource values. Many people seeking natural alternatives specifically avoid paraffin.
Fragrance in Natural Candles
Scenting candles is more complex than many people realize. There are different approaches to creating fragrance in natural candles, and quality makers are transparent about their methods.
Natural fragrance materials can include essential oils, botanical extracts, and naturally derived aromatic compounds. Some of these materials are steam-distilled, while others may be solvent-extracted or created through other natural processes. What matters is the quality of the materials and the expertise behind the formulation.
At Tofino Soap Company, we focus on creating beautiful scents that capture the essence of our coastal environment. Our Surf Candle, for example, combines mint, eucalyptus, vanilla, and benzoin resin—a blend I developed to evoke Tofino's coastline.
The key difference from conventional candles is transparency. We're open about our ingredients and processes, whereas many mass-market candles don't disclose what's in their blends.
What "Clean Burning" Really Means
As someone who's been making candles for well over 15 years, I can tell you that "clean burning" is primarily about the wax and wick quality:
Wick Selection
The wick is crucial. We use cotton wicks in our candles because they burn steadily without releasing particles. Metal-core wicks, sometimes used in conventional candles, can release metals into the air.
Proper Wick Sizing
A properly sized wick creates an even melt pool without producing excess soot. This is part of the craft—testing and adjusting until the candle burns optimally.
Quality Wax
Plant-based waxes generally produce less soot than petroleum-based paraffin. The purity of the wax matters too—additives and impurities can affect burn quality. This is where the real difference lies between quality natural candles and conventional alternatives.
Fragrance Load
Adding too much fragrance (of any kind) can cause smoking and poor burning. There's a balance between scent strength and clean burning that comes with experience.
How to Choose Quality Natural Candles
After two decades working with natural ingredients and formulating products, here's my professional checklist for selecting natural candles:
1. Check the Wax Type
Look for candles made with soy, coconut, or beeswax. The wax type should be clearly stated. If it's not disclosed, that's a red flag. This is the most important factor in candle quality.
2. Understand the Fragrance Approach
Quality natural candle makers will be transparent about their fragrance materials and approach. Look for makers who disclose their ingredients rather than hiding behind vague terms.
3. Look for Ingredient Transparency
Reputable makers disclose their ingredients. You should be able to find out what's in the candle you're burning in your home.
4. Consider the Wick
Cotton or wood wicks are preferable. Avoid candles with metal-core wicks.
5. Evaluate the Maker's Expertise
How long has the company been making candles? What's their background? Small-batch producers who've been refining their craft for years (like we have since 2010) often produce higher-quality candles than mass-market alternatives.
6. Check for Sustainable Practices
Does the company prioritize sustainability? At Tofino Soap Company, we plant one tree for every Woods Candle sold through our partnership with Integrity Reforestation, and support wild salmon conservation through our Coast Candle sales.
7. Assess Packaging
Quality natural candles often come in glass containers that can be reused or recycled. We prioritize glass and biodegradable packaging materials.
The Tofino Soap Company Natural Candle Collection
Since 2010, we've been handcrafting six distinct candle scents in our Tofino studio, each made in small batches using non-GMO soy wax and coconut wax.
Surf Candle (Our Best-Seller Since 2010)
This signature blend captures the essence of Tofino's coastline with mint, eucalyptus, vanilla, and benzoin resin. Available in multiple sizes because once people discover it, they want to keep it in their homes.
Calm Candle
Formulated to support relaxation and peaceful moments. Available in larger sizes for extended use.
Beach Candle
Brings the coastal experience indoors with carefully selected fragrance materials. Also available in larger sizes.
Hope Candle
An uplifting blend designed to inspire optimism and positive energy.
Coast Candle
Celebrates Vancouver Island's wild coastline. A portion of each sale supports Rain Coast Conservation's Wild Salmon Program.
Woods Candle
Evokes the ancient forests surrounding Tofino. One tree is planted for each Woods Candle sold through Integrity Reforestation.
Each candle is hand-poured in small batches, ensuring quality control and consistency. We cure our candles properly before they reach you, just as we cure our soaps for 4-6 weeks—because quality takes time.
The Vancouver Island Difference
Making candles on Vancouver Island's west coast influences our approach. The pristine environment, the connection to nature, and the community's values around sustainability all shape what we create.
The essential oils and intention behind each blend reflect our coastal home and the natural beauty that surrounds us here in Tofino.
Caring for Your Natural Candles
To get the best performance from natural candles:
- First burn matters: Let the wax melt to the edges of the container to prevent tunneling
- Trim the wick: Keep it trimmed to about 1/4 inch before each use
- Burn time: Don't burn for more than 4 hours at a time
- Placement: Keep away from drafts for even burning
- Safety: Never leave burning candles unattended
Frequently Asked Questions About Natural Candles
Are soy candles better than paraffin candles?
Soy candles offer several advantages: they're made from renewable resources, typically burn longer, produce less soot, and align with plant-based values. Many people seeking natural alternatives prefer soy over petroleum-derived paraffin.
How do natural candles compare in scent strength?
Natural candles can have beautiful, authentic scents. The strength varies depending on the fragrance materials used and the formulation. Quality matters more than whether a scent is subtle or strong.
How long should natural candles cure before use?
Quality candle makers allow their candles to cure for at least several days to two weeks. This lets the wax and fragrance materials fully bond, improving scent throw and burn quality.
Can I use natural candles if I have sensitivities?
Many people with sensitivities to synthetic fragrances find they can enjoy candles made with natural fragrance materials. However, individual responses vary, so start with shorter burn times to see how you respond.
What makes Tofino Soap Company candles different?
We've been the original Tofino candle maker since 2010, bringing professional aromatherapy training and 20+ years of natural product formulation experience to every batch. Our candles are genuinely small-batch, hand-poured, and made with plant-based waxes.
Are natural candles worth the higher price?
Quality natural candles often cost more due to premium wax ingredients and small-batch production. However, they typically burn longer and align with values around clean ingredients and sustainability.
Where are Tofino Soap Company candles made?
All our candles are handcrafted in Tofino, BC, on Vancouver Island's west coast. We've been making candles in the same location since 2010.
The Bottom Line: What 15 Years of Candle-Making Has Taught Me
After 15 years as the original Tofino candle maker, I've learned that creating quality natural candles requires genuine expertise, patience, and commitment to ingredients that support wellbeing.
The candle market is crowded with new brands launching constantly, but there's a meaningful difference between candles made by someone with professional aromatherapy training and two decades of formulation experience versus products created by following online tutorials.
When you choose natural candles made with plant-based waxes, you're making a choice about what you bring into your home and the air you breathe. You're supporting small-batch production, sustainable practices, and makers who prioritize quality over quantity.
Experience the Difference
Ready to discover why our natural candles have been trusted by Vancouver Island residents and visitors since 2010? Explore our complete collection of handcrafted candles, each made with non-GMO soy wax and coconut wax.
Shop our natural candle collection at tofinosoapcompany.com
Free shipping on orders over $99 CAD across Canada. Every purchase supports our tree-planting and conservation partnerships.
Angela, Tofino Soap Company
Professional Esthetician | Aromatherapist | Holistic Practitioner / Perfumer / Paramedic
Handcrafting natural candles in Tofino, BC since 2010