Why We Use Plant-Based Oils in Our Beeswax Candles

At Living Good Candle Co., our mission has always been simple: create safe, clean-burning candles that fill your home with real, natural fragrance—not synthetic chemicals. That’s why every candle we make is scented with plant-based derivative oils.

If you’ve ever asked yourself what’s really inside the candles you burn—or why so many people are switching to non-toxic candles—you’re not alone. In this blog, we’ll explain exactly what plant-based derivative oils are, how they’re different from synthetic fragrance oils, and why they are essential to creating safe, sustainable, and truly effective beeswax candles.

Table of Contents

• What Are Plant-Based Derivative Oils?

• Why Plant-Based Derivative Oils Matter in Candle Making

• Clean-Burning Candles Start with Better Ingredients

• Safer for Your Family, Better for the Earth

• No Compromise on Scent Quality

• Why We Never Use Synthetic Fragrance Oils

• How to Tell if Your Candle Uses Real Plant-Based Oils

• Candles That Align with Your Values

• Why We’ll Never Stop Using Plant-Based Derivative Oils

What Are Plant-Based Derivative Oils?

Plant-based derivative oils are natural fragrance oils made by extracting scent compounds from plants. These oils are derived from real botanical sources like flowers, seeds, leaves, and fruit peels. Common sources include lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, orange, and cedarwood. The extraction methods—like steam distillation, cold pressing, or CO₂ extraction—preserve the plant’s natural aroma without introducing harmful synthetic additives.

Unlike synthetic fragrance oils, which are lab-made using petrochemicals and artificial compounds, plant-based oils are clean, renewable, and safe to breathe. They provide real scent from real plants, which is why more health-conscious shoppers are turning to plant-based candles for their homes.

Why Plant-Based Derivative Oils Matter in Candle Making

The use of plant-based derivative oils is more than a preference—it’s a commitment to cleaner air, better health, and true transparency. Synthetic fragrance oils, which are still used in most store-bought candles, often contain phthalates, petroleum derivatives, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These chemicals are released into the air when the candle is burned, potentially causing headaches, respiratory irritation, and long-term health issues.

By using only plant-based oils, we ensure that every candle we make is truly non-toxic, clean-burning, and safe for everyone in your home—including children, pets, and people with fragrance sensitivities.

The difference is immediate. Instead of an overpowering, artificial scent, you experience a gentle, authentic fragrance that mirrors the source it came from. Whether it’s calming lavender, bright citrus, or earthy fir, our candles let you enjoy the true scent of nature—without worrying about what's in the air.

Clean-Burning Candles Start with Better Ingredients

When you light a Living Good Candle Co. candle, you’re lighting a product made with intention. Our candles are hand-poured using only pure beeswax, cotton wicks, and plant-based derivative oils. That combination results in a slow, even, and clean-burning flame that won’t release black soot or chemical residue into your home.

Beeswax naturally emits negative ions as it burns, which can help neutralize pollutants in the air. When combined with plant-derived oils, the result is a clean scent experience with none of the synthetic harshness found in paraffin or fragrance-oil candles. You’re left with a candle that not only smells better but also supports your health and your indoor air quality.

Safer for Your Family, Better for the Earth

One of the biggest reasons we use plant-based derivative oils is safety. Unlike synthetic ingredients, plant-based oils are far less likely to trigger allergic reactions, migraines, or asthma. They’re free from phthalates, parabens, formaldehyde, and other chemicals that often pollute the air when burned. This makes our non-toxic candles ideal for creating a healthier indoor environment.

They are especially important for sensitive groups. If you have children, infants, or anyone with respiratory conditions in your home, the quality of the air they breathe matters. And if you live with pets, it matters just as much. Dogs, cats, and other animals can be more sensitive to strong synthetic fragrances, which may irritate their respiratory systems or trigger reactions. Because our candles are made only with plant-based derivative oils, they’re gentle enough for even the most sensitive noses—human or animal.

Beyond safety in your home, plant-based oils are also better for the planet. These oils are biodegradable, renewable, and sourced responsibly. They don’t rely on fossil fuels like synthetic fragrances do. They don’t contribute to indoor pollution or release toxins into the air. They allow us to create clean-burning candles that align with a low-impact lifestyle—reducing your environmental footprint one flame at a time.

At Living Good Candle Co., every ingredient we use is chosen with your family—and your furry family members—in mind. Because wellness shouldn’t come with compromises.

No Compromise on Scent Quality

Some people assume that using plant-based derivative oils means sacrificing scent quality or scent throw. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Natural fragrance oils derived from real plants actually offer a more complex and balanced scent experience than synthetic alternatives.

Synthetic fragrance oils are often designed to be loud and linear—they smell the same from start to finish and can easily overwhelm the room. Plant-based oils, on the other hand, create layered scent experiences that evolve as the candle burns. You might notice one note during the first hour, and another as the wax melts deeper.

Our customers often say that our natural candles smell better, not just because they’re subtle and pleasant, but because they feel more real. That’s because they are. Every note you smell comes from real botanical sources—not chemical imitations.

Why We Never Use Synthetic Fragrance Oils

The truth is, synthetic fragrance oils are cheap, easy to mass produce, and common in most mainstream candles. But they come with a cost—a cost to your health, your indoor air, and the environment.

We made the decision early on to eliminate all synthetic fragrance oils from our supply chain. That means no lab-made scent molecules, no petroleum-based carriers, and no artificial scent boosters. Instead, we use only plant-based derivative oils that are carefully selected and blended for quality, performance, and safety.

This decision wasn’t just about marketing or aesthetics. It was about integrity. Our goal has always been to create non-toxic candles that are safe to use every day—and we knew that would never be possible with synthetic fragrance ingredients.

How to Tell if Your Candle Uses Real Plant-Based Oils

Unfortunately, many brands use the word “natural” even when their products contain synthetic fragrances. To find out whether a candle is truly made with plant-based oils, check the ingredients or ask the brand directly.

A truly plant-based candle will list natural fragrance oils or essential oils sourced from plants. It will be labeled as phthalate-free, paraffin-free, and made with non-toxic ingredients. At Living Good Candle Co., we proudly publish every ingredient we use, because transparency is a core part of our promise.

We believe you deserve to know exactly what you’re burning in your home.

Candles That Align with Your Values

Choosing a candle isn’t just about scent. It’s about safety, transparency, and the kind of company you want to support. When you choose a Living Good Candle Co. candle, you’re choosing clean ingredients, ethical sourcing, and a business that puts people and the planet first.

We don’t add artificial dyes. We don’t hide behind vague terms like “fragrance.” And we don’t compromise when it comes to the ingredients that go into your home.

Every candle we sell is made with plant-based derivative oils, because that’s what we use in our own homes too. We created this company to fill a gap in the market—to give families a better, safer way to enjoy scent at home without exposure to harmful chemicals.

Why We’ll Never Stop Using Plant-Based Derivative Oils

Using plant-based derivative oils is not a trend for us—it’s a standard. It’s a core part of who we are and how we operate. These oils allow us to create clean-burning, non-toxic candles that are as safe as they are beautiful. They reflect our values, our commitment to health, and our dedication to quality.

When you light a Living Good Candle Co. candle, you’re not just enjoying the scent. You’re making a conscious choice for your wellness, your environment, and your home. You’re choosing plant-powered ingredients that deliver peace of mind with every burn.

That’s why we use plant-based derivative oils—and always will.