There’s something magical about a home lit up by candles, and nowhere is that more fitting than during Diwali. Celebrated this year on November 8th, the Hindu Festival of Lights is a time for family, festivities and the triumph of light over darkness, with homes decorated in colourful rangoli, twinkling lights and traditional diyas – small oil lamps symbolising hope, prosperity and the victory of good over evil.
But while Diwali is all about bringing light into our homes, it’s worth considering what we’re actually burning. Many conventional candles are made from paraffin, a petroleum-derived wax, and burning candles can release soot and fine particles into the air. In fact, a 2025 study found that airborne particulate matter increased by 52 per cent within just five minutes of lighting a conventional scented candle.
Choosing responsibly sourced soy or coconut wax, refillable vessels, and reusable packaging is a more sustainable way to enjoy the festive glow, without quite such a big carbon footprint or hindrance to your health.
Of course, traditional reusable clay diyas remain a beautiful way to celebrate Diwali, but for those looking to complement them with scented candles, or perhaps give something special to friends and family, we’ve found some UAE brands – and a few global ones we support – that are putting sustainability right at the heart of their creations.
Adore Sand
Inspired by the sweeping dunes of the UAE, Adore Sand creates candles using granulated palm wax that looks just like fine desert sand. Working with local artisans and scent makers, the brand produces small-batch pieces, and instead of buying an entirely new candle when the wax runs out, you can just refill the granules, replace the wick and enjoy the glow all over again.
We love the Orchid Set Charcoal (AED 290), featuring two glass vessels topped with natural cork lids, plant-based sand wax and 30 wicks. The paraffin-free candles can be left unscented or personalised with your favourite fragrance oil, while the reusable vessels make a stunning centrepiece for Diwali celebrations.
Innara
Who would have thought construction rubble could become something beautiful? UAE brand Innara has found an ingenious way to give discarded building materials a second life, transforming recycled concrete into distinctive candle holders filled with vegan soy wax. We’re particularly taken with the Foundery XXL Soy Candle (AED 500), a massive 2kg statement piece in a sculptured recycled concrete bowl. With multiple wicks and fragrances ranging from Rose Oud to Neroli and Tempting Musk, it’s a gorgeous centrepiece for Diwali celebrations, bringing a little sustainable luxury to the Festival of Lights. And once the candle has burned down, the concrete bowl can enjoy a second life as a decorative home piece.
Shop: innara.ae
Lush
When it comes to making bath time a little more indulgent, Lush has long been a favourite, but did you know the British beauty brand also makes candles? Unlike conventional petroleum-derived paraffin candles, Lush’s creations are made using a blend of vegan vegetable waxes, including coconut oil and castor oil. They’re also soy-free and GMO-free, while the brand has swapped traditional glass candle jars for recyclable or reusable black tins, complete with lids to preserve the fragrance between burns.
We love the Twilight Single Wick Candle (AED 90), which combines dreamy lavender with warm, comforting tonka. With a burn time of approximately 30 hours, it’s perfect for winding down once the Diwali celebrations have finished and the last guests have headed home.
No Common Scents
If you’re planning to fill your home with beautiful fragrances this Diwali, No Common Scents is a lovely place to start. Its vegan, refillable candles are made locally with coconut-soy wax, no animal testing, and no plastic packaging. Fragrances are developed with a British fragrance house, blending natural ingredients with IFRA-compliant laboratory-created scents, free from parabens and phthalates. We’re particularly taken with the Jewel of the Night Classic Candle (AED 260), which blends jasmine, saffron, rose and oud, with warm notes of musk, patchouli and sandalwood.
The brand also donates 20 per cent of every Soteria product to Hakini, a mental health organisation supporting people in Gaza, while they donated 20 per cent of proceeds from their Christmas collection last year to animal rescue charity Bubbles Little Angels. A little light that goes a long way.
Shop: no-commonscents.com
So Soul Good
For Dubai-based So Soul Good, beautiful candles are about craftsmanship, not mass production. Working with natural vegan soy wax and premium fragrance oils, the brand creates small-batch candles housed in handmade ceramic vessels, each individually shaped, glazed and finished by local artisans. No two pieces are quite alike, and with reusable containers, considered packaging and materials chosen to last, sustainability is woven into the design.
We love the Handmade Lavender Ceramic Candle (AED 180), a 10oz candle housed in a gorgeous vessel with a rich, earthy glaze. Its soothing lavender fragrance is perfect for bringing a little calm to the Diwali festivities, and the ceramic pot can be repurposed long after the wick burns out.
Shop: thesoulsogood.com
The Oasis Candle Co.
Sometimes, all it takes is a beautiful fragrance to make a home feel welcoming when friends and family gather for Diwali. Founded by Natalie McKillop, The Oasis Candle Co. creates luxury candles from its Dubai studio, with each one hand-blended and hand-poured using 100 per cent soy wax. The brand’s fragrances are free from parabens and phthalates, while its wax is vegan and cruelty-free. Packaging is also designed to be recyclable, compostable or reusable.
We love the Peony and Blush Suede Soy Wax Candle, a gorgeous floral fragrance that blends peony, crisp red apple, rose, and jasmine with warm notes of musk and amber. Available in a single-wick version (AED 130) offering 40 hours of burn time or a larger three-wick candle lasting up to 60 hours (AED 190), it’s a beautiful choice for Diwali gifting. And there’s another reason to feel good about your purchase: through its partnership with One Tree Planted, the company plants a tree with every online order.
Shop: theoasiscandleco.com
