There’s nothing quite like loosening the hold of a way-too-busy day with the relaxation-inducing ritual of lighting a gorgeous, scented candle—whether that’s around the house or in the bath. Candles have a magical ability to turn down the volume of your mind, set the mood to “chill” and inspire those feel-good senses.

What’s not to love? Plenty, as it turns out.

Unfortunately, when it comes to many conventional candles, they contain not-so-nice toxic ingredients like lead and formaldehyde (ugh!) that can cause all kinds of damaging health problems (think skin irritation and respiratory problems). Luckily, there are healthy alternatives.

Here’s how to protect your divine self from scented candles that use harmful chemicals and why we’re staying 100% vegan:

Choose Soy & Soy Paraffin Wax Blend Candles over Everything Else

Soy based candles (like ours) are made from soybeans, not only making them a safe and natural alternative to most conventionally-produced candles, but also renewable and biodegradable. Oh, and they have a slow burn time of 45-hours which makes them last longer. Candles that contain Just another reason why we choose to be vegan and cruelty-free.

Check the Label: Make Sure They’re Scented, Naturally

Scented candles are a tricky business when you’re trying to find something clean-burning—in fact, anything with “fragrance” could contain a plethora of unknown synthetic, toxic chemicals blended together to make them smell pretty (and they’re usually not disclosed on their label). Look for something that is scented using essential oils for ultimate peace of mind, make sure the ingredients are fully available, and breathe in those sweet aromatherapeutic benefits.

Avoid Traces of Lead & Choose Plant-Based Wicks

When it comes to burning a clean candle, it’s easy to forget about the wick. The wick should have no traces of lead (once designed to make the wick strong and stand up) and be sure to look for one that’s 100% cotton and “non-cored”—meaning it’s made of braided or twisted cotton and the safest to burn (as opposed to cotton around a paper or metal core).

When candles are lit, it is a serene experience—but make sure you’re health is not paying the ultimate price for the privilege. When burning, candles emit substances into the air we breathe so it makes a lot of sense to make vegan fragrances as your go-to for healthy living.