Why Handmade Candles Are Better Than Mass-Produced Ones

Why Handmade Candles Are Better Than Mass-Produced Ones

When you walk into a store like Bath & Body Works*, Yankee Candle* or other big box stores, you’re hit with rows of colorful candles, each promising a delicious scent and cozy ambiance. But have you ever considered what goes into those candles? More importantly, have you ever tried a handmade candle instead? Here’s why choosing a handcrafted candle is the better option.

1. Better Ingredients, Better Quality  

Handmade candles are often made with natural waxes like soy, coconut, or beeswax, whereas mass-produced candles commonly use paraffin, a petroleum-based wax. Natural waxes burn cleaner, longer, and don’t release harmful toxins into the air. Plus, handmade candles are more likely to use pure essential oils for fragrance rather than synthetic chemicals.

2. Unique & Personal

Every handmade candle is crafted with care, creativity, and a personal touch. Unlike mass-produced candles that are pumped out in huge factories, handmade candles are often poured in small batches, ensuring quality and uniqueness. Some even come with custom scents, wood wicks, or decorative touches that make them truly special.

3.  Longer, Cleaner Burn

Because natural waxes are used and extra care is taken with handmade candles, they tend to burn more evenly and last longer. This means you get more bang for your buck! Mass-produced candles might have additives that cause uneven burning and wasted wax at the bottom of the jar.

4.  Safer for Your Home

Ever notice black soot collecting on your walls or ceilings when you burn a store-bought candle? That’s a sign of paraffin wax burning and releasing chemicals into the air. Handmade candles made with natural waxes and cotton or wood wicks reduce soot and improve air quality in your home.

5.  Supports Small Businesses  

When you buy handmade candles, you’re supporting small businesses, artisans, and candle makers who pour their passion into their craft. Instead of putting your money into a giant corporation, you’re investing in someone’s dream and helping them grow.  

A great example of a dedicated handmade candle maker is Smell Good Candles. We take pride in crafting high-quality, hand-poured candles that not only smell amazing but also burn cleanly and evenly. Choosing a brand like this ensures you’re getting an artisan product made with love and care.


6.  More Scent & Less Chemicals  

Mass-produced candles often use synthetic fragrances that may contain phthalates and other chemicals linked to respiratory issues and headaches. Handmade candles typically use high-quality fragrance oils and essential oils, giving you a true-to-life scent without the headache.


Final Thoughts

While store-bought candles might be convenient, handmade candles offer better quality, safer ingredients, and unique designs that elevate your space. They burn cleaner, last longer, and support real people behind the craft. Next time you’re looking for a candle, consider choosing handmade—you won’t regret it!  
Back to blog