Bath & Body Works candles are very popular, especially this time of year! Who doesn’t want to burn a candle to make their home more cozy and smell nice? But did you know Bath & Body Works candles contain toxic chemicals???
In this post, we’ll cover
- What wax is used in Bath & Body Works candles?
- What toxic chemicals are used in Bath & Body Works candles?
- Are Bath & Body Works candles safe to burn?
- What are safe alternatives to Bath & Body Works candles?

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What wax is used in Bath & Body Works candles?
On the ingredient list of Bath & Body Works Candles, Paraffin Wax and Microcrystalline Wax are listed. Both Paraffin and Microcrystalline Wax are petroleum by-products.
They emit carcinogenic chemicals such as benzene, toluene, and formaldehyde.
Paraffin candles can also cause headaches, nausea, and respiratory issues. These chemicals should ALWAYS be avoided.
Bath & Body Works also lists Hydrogenated Soybean Oil and Hydrogenated Palm Oil. These ingredients are non-toxic in candles but these candles are NOT a blend of vegetable wax like some would be led to believe (due to the Paraffin and Microcrystalline Wax.)
What other toxic chemicals are used in Bath & Body Works candles?
Bath & Body Works also uses Fragrance and BHT in their candles which are also toxic chemicals.
Fragrance is an undisclosed chemical concoction which can be made of up to 3,000 chemicals. Fragrance chemicals can cause allergies, asthma and other respiratory issues, headaches, nausea, and cancer.
BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) is a toluene based ingredient. BHT is a hormone disruptor and a possible carcinogen.
So are these candles safe to burn?
NO! Candles with any toxic chemicals are not safe to burn. There are multiple toxic chemicals in Bath & Body Works candles.
What are safe alternatives to Bath & Body Works candles?
Switching to candles made with soy wax, beeswax, coconut wax, or a blend of these waxes is a safe, toxin free option! Candle companies should use essential oils to make the candles scented, not undisclosed fragrance chemicals.
My FAVORITE Toxin Free candles are Fontana Candle Co. They are a blend of beeswax coconut oil, and pure essential oils. Fontana Candles are Made Safe Certified which means they are free of all toxins that do or could harm human health, animals, or ecosystems. Use code SIMPLYSARENA15 for 15% OFF your Fontana Candles order!
Have any questions about the safety of your favorite candles? Leave you favorite candle in the comments and I’d be happy to look into it!

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