How Can You Tell if a Scented Candle is Safe to Use and of High Quality?

Scented candles are more than just a source of light or fragrance—they’re a gateway to relaxation, ambiance, and cherished memories. But not all candles are created equal. Choosing the best scented candles requires understanding what sets premium products apart from mass-market alternatives. This guide will help you identify high-quality and safe candles for your home.

Important Factors to Look For

When searching for a premium scented candle, paying attention to certain details can make all the difference. Here are three key aspects to evaluate.

Country of Origin

The country where a candle is manufactured plays a crucial role in its quality and safety. Candles made in regions with strong consumer protection laws, such as Germany, are usually held to higher standards.

However, some brands may try to obscure their production practices by claiming the "scent is created in the USA or UK" while the actual manufacturing occurs in countries like Vietnam. Candles produced in such regions often face scrutiny for questionable materials, poor working conditions, and exploitative labor practices. By prioritizing candles made in countries with strict regulations, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing your purchase supports ethical production.

Specific Words

The language used on a candle’s label can be revealing. Look for specific terms that indicate quality and safety, such as:

• 100% vegetable wax – Signifying clean-burning, eco-friendly candles.
• Lead-free wicks – A must for non-toxic candles.
• Phthalate-free fragrances – Protecting you from potentially harmful chemicals.

Be cautious of vague phrases like “blended wax,” which often means the inclusion of additives or paraffin wax. Similarly, “essential oils” might sound appealing, but these oils can become volatile when burned, leading to inconsistent performance and potential hazards.

Marketing Sweet Talk

Words like “eco-friendly” and “natural” are often used as marketing buzzwords without substantial backing. A truly premium candle will provide detailed information about its ingredients and manufacturing processes. If a product's claims seem too good to be true, dig deeper. Transparency is a hallmark of high-quality brands.

High-Quality Scented Candles Are...

Premium candles are defined by their craftsmanship, materials, and performance. Here are the characteristics that set them apart.

Made of 100% Vegetable Wax

Vegetable waxes like soy, coconut, and beeswax burn cleaner and produce less soot than paraffin wax. These waxes also provide a consistent base for candle fragrance oils, ensuring an even release of scent. If you’re looking for the best candles for home, choosing 100% vegetable wax is essential.

Made in Countries with Strong Consumer Protection

Manufacturing in countries with strict consumer safety laws makes it more likely that manufacturers will use high-quality, non-toxic materials. For example, our candles are subjected to rigorous testing to guarantee they meet safety standards.

Candles manufactured in the EU, especially by artisanal manufacturers are less likely to contain harmful additives or use unethical production methods

Made by Hand Instead of Industrial Manufacturing

Artisan-crafted candles are a hallmark of premium quality. Hand-poured candles are carefully produced in small batches, allowing for precise wick placement, consistent fragrance distribution, rigorous testing, and superior attention to detail. This level of care results in a premium candle with a longer burn time and a more luxurious experience.

Usually Burn Longer

High-quality candles burn longer because they use refined materials and carefully selected and balanced wicks. A slow-burning candle provides better value and is safer to burn than a candle that burns faster. A reference point is 40 hours or more for a 200g scented candle (conditions can vary).

More Expensive

A higher price tag reflects the cost of premium materials and ethical production practices. While a 200g candle priced below €15 may seem like a bargain, it’s unlikely to meet the standards of a safe and premium scented candle. Cheap candles often cut corners with lower-quality materials or unsafe manufacturing conditions.

How We Make Our Scented Candles

At Craft Society, we believe in creating candles that are as safe and ethical as they are beautiful. Our candles are handcrafted in Germany using 100% vegetable waxes like soy and coconut. We source lead-free cotton wicks and phthalate-free fragrance oils to ensure a clean, non-toxic burn. By producing in small batches, we can guarantee the highest level of quality for every candle.

Some of our customer favorites include:

• Granny’s Gingerbread Candle: Perfect for creating warm holiday memories with its comforting, spicy notes.
• Hygge Home Candle: A soothing aroma candle inspired by Scandinavian coziness.
• Secret Society Candle: A mystic scent inspired by Dark Academia.

FAQ

Are Essential Oils Superior?

While essential oils are natural, they are not always good for candles. Essential oils can become unstable when exposed to heat, potentially altering their scent or creating safety issues. Instead, high-quality candle fragrance oils are designed specifically for burning, ensuring a consistent and safe aroma.

What Does Blended Wax Mean?

Blended wax typically includes additives like paraffin to lower costs or improve burn stability. Unfortunately, these additives often compromise the candle’s safety and environmental friendliness. Always opt for candles labeled as 100% vegetable wax to avoid these issues.

Why Does My Candle Burn Too Strong?

A high flame or overheating jar often indicates poor manufacturing. The jar may not be heat-resistant, or the wick may be intentionally oversized to speed up the burn. Heat resistant jars are expensive. Both scenarios are hazardous and can result in accidents. Premium candles are designed to burn evenly and safely. At Craft Society we use only heat resistant glass jars for our scented candles.

What About Candles Made in Vietnam or Similar Countries?

Candles manufactured in countries with less stringent regulations often face concerns about quality and ethics. The materials may be unverified, and the labor conditions are frequently exploitative. To ensure you’re buying a high-quality product, choose candles made in regions known for robust consumer protection.

If My Favorite Scented Candle Costs €15 or Less, Does That Mean It’s Dangerous?

While not necessarily dangerous, a candle priced this low is unlikely to be made with premium materials or under ethical conditions. Premium candles reflect the cost of high-quality ingredients, safe manufacturing practices, and sustainability.

What About Big Brands Like Dior, Diptyque, or Rituals?

While luxury brands can produce high-quality candles, their prices also include the cost of branding and marketing. Even more, they usually outsource to low-income countries to decrease costs, inadvertently sacrificing some quality.

Big brands produce in large quantities which makes testing more complicated and more likely to be on a sampling basis, instead of each individual candle being inspected.

Boutique brands like ours focus on delivering premium quality without the markup, offering a more accessible option for discerning candle lovers looking for top-quality candles.

Discover the Quality of Hand-Poured Scented Candles from Germany

By understanding what to look for in a scented candle, you can enjoy safe, high-quality products that enhance your home and align with your values. Ready to experience the difference? Explore Craft Society’s collection and transform your space with our premium candles.

We warmly recommend other artisanal manufacturers from the EU, in particular the ones from Germany or Scandinavian countries - where we tested several scented candles and were pleasantly surprised.

By supporting family and small businesses, including artisanal shops such as ours, you get more value. Mass-produced scented candles in outsourced countries tend to lead to: 1) lower quality of the product, 2) potentially even hazardous candles, 3) jobs lost in our society, 4) further concentration of wealth to big businesses and brands.