Cheap for a Reason: Why Aldi’s “Luxury” Candle Collection Isn’t Quite the Bargain It Seems

Cheap for a Reason: Why Aldi’s “Luxury” Candle Collection Isn’t Quite the Bargain It Seems

Aldi’s new ceramic “luxury” candles may look expensive , but what’s inside is anything but. Here’s why cheap candles often burn dirty, why “fragrance oils” are a red flag, and what real transparency looks like in home fragrance.

A Beautiful Illusion

They may look expensive — sleek ceramic jars, muted tones, names like Opium Noir, Fig Tree, Rose & Clove, Pine Tree, and the rather dramatic Hurricane Confetti.
You’d be forgiven for thinking you’d stumbled into a boutique perfumery.

But these candles are cheap for a reason. They look high-end, but what’s inside is anything but.

I haven’t seen Aldi’s full formula ,  and legally, they don’t have to publish it , but at that price, I can imagine.

The Law (and the Loophole)

Under current UK and EU regulations, candle makers are not required to disclose every ingredient.
They must list potential allergens and hazard warnings (under CLP law), but not what type of wax they use, how the fragrance is made, or which additives are included.

So Aldi isn’t technically doing anything wrong.
But for me, a lack of transparency is always a red flag , especially in something you burn and breathe.

If a company truly believes in the safety and quality of its candles, it will tell you what’s inside — clearly, proudly, and completely.

What’s Likely Inside (and Why That Matters)

Paraffin or Paraffin-Blend Wax

Paraffin is a petroleum by-product. It’s cheap, reliable, and widely used in mass-market candles. But when burned, paraffin releases volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as toluene and benzene — both known respiratory irritants and, at high levels, potential carcinogens (Healthline).

Clean wax alternatives like soy or coconut cost more — which is why you’ll rarely find them in candles that retail under £10.

Synthetic Fragrance Oils

This is the big one.
When a candle lists “fragrance ” or “parfum” rather than essential oils, it’s using synthetic aroma compounds designed to mimic natural scents at a fraction of the price.

They can contain phthalates, fixatives, and solvents that extend scent life but degrade air quality when burned (Women’s Health Network).

Personally, I would never burn a candle with fragrance oils.
Not in my home, not around my family, not near pets.
It’s simply not worth the risk when safer, plant-based alternatives exist.

 The Wick & The Soot

Cheaper candles often cut costs with chemical-stiffened or low-grade wicks.
Even if they’re not metal-cored (thankfully now banned), they can still smoke heavily, producing black soot that settles on walls, curtains, and lungs alike.

That soot carries ultrafine particles small enough to reach deep into your respiratory system (Cleveland Clinic).

The Price Point Problem

Let’s do the maths.
Aldi’s “luxury” ceramic candle sells for under £10.

Once you factor in:

• Packaging and ceramics

• Manufacturing

• Transport and import duty

• Retail margin and VAT

…there’s almost nothing left for quality ingredients.
So what you’re lighting is unlikely to be 100% soy or natural wax — and certainly not pure essential oils.

You’re paying for design, not formulation.

The Illusion of Luxury

This isn’t just about Aldi — it’s about the illusion of luxury across the entire candle industry.
Pretty packaging and French-sounding names are used to suggest wellness and purity, even when the contents are petrochemical blends wrapped in ceramic.

Real luxury is knowing exactly what you’re breathing into your home.

Transparency Is the New Luxury

If Aldi wants to enter the “home fragrance” space with integrity, it could start by:
✅ Publishing full ingredient lists and safety data sheets.
✅ Disclosing whether its fragrances are phthalate-free and cruelty-free.
✅ Clarifying whether it uses paraffin, soy, or mixed waxes.
✅ Stating wick composition clearly on every box.

Until then, those candles remain a mystery — one that happens to smell like “Opium Noir.”

My Final Word

Burn what you like , your home, your air, your choice.
But know that you’re not lighting a £50 candle for £6.99.
You’re lighting a cheap paraffin blend dressed up as a designer fragrance.

Until we see full ingredient transparency and a move away from synthetic fragrance oils, I’ll stick with what I know: 100% soy wax, cotton wicks, and pure essential oils.

Because to me, true wellbeing isn’t about how your candle looks , 
it’s about how cleanly it burns, how safely it breathes, and how honestly it’s made.