Love candles but find yourself suffering from headaches, respiratory issues, or the occasional cough? It might not just be the scent, it could be the wax. Switching to coconut or soy options is a simple change that can transform both your health and your environment. Unlike traditional paraffin candles, which release harmful chemicals like toluene and benzene that can trigger headaches, asthma, and even long-term health problems, natural waxes like coconut and soy burn clean, with none of the toxic side effects.
These natural waxes are biodegradable, renewable, and produce less soot—something often overlooked but crucial for air quality. Soot can get into your lungs, causing respiratory problems and even heart disease. Plus, it can leave unsightly stains on your walls and furniture. Coconut and soy candles however burn slower, last longer, and are free from the harmful chemicals found in synthetic options. They also release pure, long-lasting fragrances without the nasty artificial scents that can make you feel sick.
And the benefits don’t stop at health. By choosing coconut or soy, you’re making an eco-conscious decision. Soy is a renewable resource – unlike paraffin, which is derived from petroleum – and it’s biodegradable. Soy and coconut are also vegan and cruelty-free.
So why not light up your space with something that’s good for both you and the planet? Here are some of our favorite non-toxic brands handmade right here in the UAE:
No Common Scents
No Common Scents is a UAE-based vegan candle company that’s all about bringing eco-friendly, non-toxic fragrance to your home in style. They offer a gorgeous range of products, from their beautifully scented candles – all made from coconut-soy wax – to room sprays and diffusers. Their scents are created in collaboration with a British fragrance house, using a blend of Mother Nature and IFRA certified lab made fragrances without any parabens or phthalates, to fill your space with fresh toxic-free aromas.
The ‘Beauty of The Emirates’ Candle Discovery Set (AED 299) would make the perfect gift for Ramadan or Eid, with three candles offering base notes scents of warm oud, sweet amber, and white musk, all packaged in a gorgeous eco-friendly card box with matching bag. We also love the Elysian Fields Classic (AED 260) with essence of cotton blossom, dried rose and geranium with a light hint of lemon oil. Peaceful, sophisticated and serene.
Innara
Known for its innovative use of recycled materials, Innara creates unique products that bring a touch of style and sustainability to any home. Their Recycled Concrete Candles made with vegan soy wax, transform local construction rubble into beautiful, functional pieces for the home. We love the Ramdadan Collection (AED 120), a repurposed concrete holder in the shape of a crescent moon that comes in a range of scents from Rose Oud to Tempting Musk. We’re also coveting their Black Suede and Peonis candle, inspired by Jo Malone and blending scents of jasmine, rose, peonie, red apple and suede (AED 70).
They also offer ceramic reed diffusers with phthalate-free scents created to enhance your home while supporting a greener planet. And it’s not only the products that are friendly, the tags are made from repurposed paper while vegetable peels make up the fabric dyes they use to adorn pieces. A true candle with a conscience.
Adore Sand
Adore Sand is a unique brand offering high-quality, eco-friendly candles inspired by the sandy dunes of the UAE. Their natural granulated palm wax, a renewable resource that mirrors the appearance of desert sand, provides a clean burn without melting, is biodegradable, and is reusable. The candles come in beautiful handcrafted ceramic vessels – we love the Serenity Set (pictured: AED 250) that includes a glass vessel, 10 eco-friendly cotton wicks, and a 1kg bag of granulated palm wax.
Once you’ve got your set, you can choose your preferred fragrance separately to personalise your candle. We love MOON N°7 which captures the beauty of a moonlit garden with top notes of fig and a coconut base. Simply top up the vessel with the palm wax as needed for an ongoing, eco-friendly experience.
Soul So Good
Founded in the UAE, So Soul Good create luxury candles that make a statement in both scent and sustainability. Their small-batch creations range from repurposed coconut bowl candles – giving new life to discarded coconut shells by transforming them into unique holders – to handmade refillable ceramic pieces. All their products are created with with non-toxic, cruelty-free fragrances, offering a clean burn that’s kind to both you and the planet.
Their standout Handmade Ceramic Candles (AED 195) are infused with calming scents like Lavender, Rose, and Coconut and Cream while their Crystal Infused Manifestation Glass Jar Candles (AED 135), combine fragrance with the energy of Golden Healer Quartz crystals. Infused with Lemongrass scent, they’re perfect for a peaceful, grounding atmosphere. The kind of zen we could all use.
The Oasis Candle Co.
Started by Natalie McKillop, The Oasis Candle Co. is a home fragrance brand that offers gorgeous luxury candles and reed diffusers across the UAE. Whether you love fresh florals, zesty citrus, or rich earthy notes, The Oasis Candle Co. has a toxin-free fragrance that will take you to your happy place. We’re in love with their Al Fresco Muddled Mint and Lime (AED 190) – a burst of refreshing zest for any space. Another favourite is Blackberry and Bay (AED 130), with an earthy aroma that’s a perfect soothing scent.
Every 100 per cent soy wax candle is hand-blended and hand-poured in their Dubai studio, with all their oils free from parabens and phthalates. Their wax is natural, vegan, and cruelty-free, and all of their packaging is either recyclable, compostable, or reusable. Plus, through their partnership with One Tree Planted, they plant a tree with every online order, so each purchase helps the planet.
