Can Candles Be Vegan? Here's Everything You Need to Know

Candles may seem simple, but not all are vegan. While many are made with natural, plant-based ingredients, others contain animal-derived components like beeswax or stearic acid, which are often added to improve texture, scent, or burn time. These additives aren't always listed clearly, making them easy to overlook.

Are Candles Vegan?

Not all candles are vegan. Some contain ingredients like beeswax or stearic acid, which come from animals and are used to harden the wax or extend burn time. A vegan candle uses only plant-based waxes, such as soy, coconut, or rapeseed, and avoids animal byproducts in the wax, wick, scent, and adhesives. If you're aiming for a cruelty-free option, it’s worth checking the full ingredient list.

Understanding what makes a candle vegan can help you make choices that align with your values, whether you're avoiding animal products, prioritising sustainability, or simply looking for a cleaner-burning option.

At Olivia Michael Candle Co., we craft our candles using a natural blend of rapeseed and coconut wax—a 100% plant-based, vegan-friendly, and long-lasting formula. Our ingredients are carefully sourced to reflect our commitment to people and the planet.

Whether you're curious about what goes into a vegan candle or ready to make the switch, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know.

Vegan Candle Ingredients

Candle makers have many options today when buying ingredients for vegan candles, from waxes to wicks and fragrances.

What Types of Wax Are Vegan?

Most vegan candle waxes are derived from vegetable or plant-based sources, making them an eco-friendly and cruelty-free alternative to traditional waxes like beeswax.

• Soy – a common, renewable option
• Coconut – smooth-burning with a soft scent
• Rapeseed – grown widely in Europe and ideal for cooler climates

Avoid beeswax, which is made by honeybees and is not considered vegan.

Soy Wax Candles

Soy wax is a vegetable wax that contains no artificial additives. It's non-toxic, resulting in a beautifully clean burn that is better for you and the environment. Soy wax is a renewable, natural alternative produced from pure soybean oil, which is biodegradable and vegan-friendly.

Soy wax has a lower melting point than paraffin wax, meaning soy wax candles burn slower for longer.

Rapeseed and Coconut Wax

At Olivia Michael Candle Co., we use rapeseed and coconut wax, a 100% plant-based blend free from paraffin, soy, palm, beeswax, and synthetic additives.

We have purchased and burned paraffin wax candles in our house, and we soon realised I am sensitive to many things. My experience with paraffin candles has always left me with headaches. Even with our desire to work with plant-based waxes, we needed a wax that didn't affect me when working with and testing several candles a week.

We chose a rapeseed and coconut blend because we did not want to work with soy. Our rapeseed is sourced from Europe, whilst most of the coconut used in our waxes comes from smallholder farmers in the Philippines or Indonesia (approximately one-third of Filipino farmers and their families make their living from coconut production).

There is no forest removal to plant new coconut trees, and all farming contacts are closely monitored. Our supplier is pioneering a program to train farmers on sustainable coconut agricultural practices.

Plant wax has a lower melting point than paraffin wax, meaning plant-based candles burn slower and for longer. We find that plant wax candles suit customers who like to burn their candles for more extended periods. In contrast, paraffin candles fit someone who prefers a short, swift burst of fragrance.

Paraffin wax can emit black smoke and soot, marking the surrounding surfaces. In contrast, plant-based wax burns cleanly (providing you've done your proper testing and the wick is maintained correctly!)

So, at the end of the day, we went with what we're most comfortable with, and our target audience will feel the same. Plus, we're hoping that one day no fossil fuels will be needed in this world! But that's a whole other debate!

Is Paraffin Wax Vegan?

Paraffin wax is technically vegan because it is not derived from animals. However, unlike plant-based waxes, which are the more eco-friendly and natural choice, paraffin wax is a byproduct of the petrochemical industry. Both mineral and plant-based waxes have pros and cons, but we chose to work with a plant-based wax because of our nature-focused brand.

Because paraffin wax is a byproduct of the petrochemical industry, it gets a bad reputation due to its damaging environmental impact. However, the paraffin market utilises the wastage from the manufacturing process, so while it is vegan, there might be better options than this if you're trying to lead a more eco-conscious lifestyle.

Are Candle Wicks Vegan?

Vegan-friendly wicks are typically made from cotton or wood with a metal base for support. Some cotton wicks use additives like stearic acid, so it’s worth asking if this isn't listed.

Our candles come with an unbleached cotton wick interwoven with a linen thread.

Vegan Fragrances

Whether a candle contains essential or fragrance oils, it can be considered vegan. Essential oils are derived from plants and other natural substances, while fragrance oils are manmade from non-animal products.

The Benefits of Vegan Candles

Vegan candles are made with plant-based waxes like coconut or rapeseed, which burn more slowly than paraffin due to their lower melting point. They contain no animal-derived ingredients and are often chosen for their gentler formulation, fewer toxins, and lower environmental impact. When sustainably sourced, they offer a cleaner, longer-lasting, and more eco-conscious way to enjoy candlelight.

How Can You Tell If a Candle Is Vegan?

To tell if a candle is vegan, start by checking what it's made from. Look for waxes that are plant-based, like soy, coconut, or rapeseed, and avoid ingredients such as beeswax or stearic acid, which often come from animals. A vegan candle should also avoid animal-derived dyes, glues, and fragrances. If you’re unsure, asking the maker directly is always okay.

1. Check the Wax

Most vegan candles are made from vegetable-based waxes like:

• Soy – a common, renewable option
• Coconut – smooth-burning with a soft scent
• Rapeseed – grown widely in Europe and ideal for cooler climates

Avoid beeswax, which is made by honeybees and is not considered vegan.

2. Examine the Wick

Vegan wicks are typically made from:

• Cotton
• Hemp
• Wood
• Metal (used to anchor wicks)

Some cotton wicks are coated with stearic acid. Ask the brand if you’re unsure.

3. Look Out for Additives

Even if the wax is plant-based, some additives might not be. Non-vegan examples include:

• Stearic acid (when derived from animal fat)
• Gelatine or casein (in adhesives)
• Bone char (in some dyes)
• Glycerine from animal sources

4. Ask the Candle Maker

If ingredients aren't listed on the label or website, reach out. Independent makers are often happy to confirm their supply chain or manufacturing practices.

5. Consider the Full Picture

Being vegan isn't only about wax. Labels, packaging, and fragrance ingredients can all play a role. For example, some inks and glues may contain animal-derived compounds, so choosing a company that takes a thoughtful, transparent approach is worthwhile.

What Candle Ingredients Are Not Vegan?

Common candle ingredients that are not vegan include beeswax, stearic acid, and certain dyes, glues, or inks used in the production process. Beeswax is derived from animals, while stearic acid is often sourced from animal fat. Some additives, like ink binders and adhesives, may contain gelatine, casein, or other animal-derived components.

What Makes Olivia Michael Candle Co. Vegan-Friendly?

We hope that you have found this blog eye-opening, and you have taken away some information to help you identify vegan candles a little easier. At Olivia Michael Candle Co., we went to great lengths to ensure we could proudly call all of our products vegan.

Our vegan candles are paraben-free and cruelty-free. We use a pure blend of rapeseed and coconut wax containing no soy, beeswax, or additives. Each candle has a cotton wick secured to the vessel with vegan glue.

All candle glasses are widely recyclable. We use recyclable FSC-certified cards and inks for all packaging and labels. All packages are filled with biodegradable eco-packing peanuts that dissolve in water. These are to protect our candles in transit.

We have chosen to work with companies that share the same values as us and are eco-conscious. While we acknowledge that candles and fragrance are luxury products, we have done everything we can to ensure that when you buy from us, you can do so knowing that you have not only supported a small, independent business but you have supported one with its roots planted deeply in doing as much as we can to ensure we run as sustainably and eco-consciously as possible.

If you have any questions about our approach, suppliers or products, please don't hesitate to contact us.

Thank you for reading.