Candles causing headaches is more common than you think—and most people never connect the two. You light a candle, settle in, and within an hour, something feels off. You blame stress, screen time, maybe the wine. But if it keeps happening, your candle is worth a closer look.
I learned this the hard way—not from a headache, but from my cats.
A few years ago, my cats started showing signs of distress. After ruling out the obvious culprits and spending a lot of money on vet visits, I realized that it was actually in the candles I'd been burning daily. What I found stopped me cold: paraffin wax releasing petroleum byproducts, fragrance oils loaded with phthalates, synthetic wicks—all of it quietly polluting the air in my home. I stopped burning conventional candles that day. And then I started making my own.
That's how Montclair Candle Co. was born. And these four standards are non-negotiable in everything we make.
4 Reasons Your Candles May Be Making You Feel Awful
1. The Wax
Paraffin is the most common candle wax and a petroleum byproduct. When burned, it releases compounds that irritate your airways and sinuses. Even some "cleaner" alternatives, such as soy wax, can be over-processed with GMO beans or come from crops heavily sprayed with chemicals, or be quietly blended with paraffin without disclosure.
We use our own olive-coconut wax blend (we blend two waxes ourselves for quality control). Olive is one of the most sustainable and clean crops on earth—it regenerates naturally, requires minimal water, and has been cultivated for centuries without depleting soil. Combined with coconut wax, it burns cooler, cleaner, and slower with significantly less soot.
2. The Fragrance Oil
This is usually where headaches actually start. Most candle fragrances contain phthalates—chemical compounds used to make scents last longer. Phthalates are endocrine disruptors linked to hormonal issues, respiratory irritation, and yes, headaches. They show up in many mainstream candles, including some marketed as "natural."
Every fragrance oil we use is phthalate-free and Prop 65 compliant—California's gold standard for chemical safety. Your home should smell beautiful, not function as a slow-release chemical diffuser.
3. The Wick
Wicks treated with synthetic coatings or metal cores release residue into your air as they burn. We intentionally source petroleum-free wicks whenever possible—it's a standard we hold ourselves to because clean air isn't a bonus feature, it's the whole point.
4. The Lid
We use natural wood lids instead of glass, plastic or metal, which are fully reusable and a cleaner choice from start to finish.
What to Look for When Buying Any Candle
Before you buy, check for: plant-derived wax from a sustainable crop, phthalate-free and Prop 65 compliant fragrance oils, petroleum-free wicks, and non-plastic lids. If a brand can't answer basic questions about their ingredients, that's your answer.
FAQ
Are scented candles bad for you? Not inherently, but most conventional candles contain ingredients that release harmful compounds when burned. The wax, fragrance oils, and wick all matter. Choosing candles made with clean, plant-based ingredients significantly reduces your exposure.
What candles are safe for people with allergies or sensitivities? Look for candles with phthalate-free fragrance oils, petroleum-free wicks, and non-paraffin wax bases like olive, coconut, or beeswax. Prop 65-compliant fragrance oils are a strong indicator of a cleaner formulation.
Are Montclair Candle Co. candles pet-friendly? Our candles were literally created because of our cats. We use our blend of olive-coconut wax, phthalate-free oils, and petroleum-free wicks specifically to keep the air safe for both people and pets.
At Montclair Candle Co., luxury and clean living aren't a tradeoff. Browse our full collection at www.montclaircandle.com