From Mylo to Millions: The Story Behind Companion Candles

“I wanted to create candles that make homes feel beautiful, without putting our pets at risk. Companion Candles is my love letter to Mylo.” — Loren

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When Loren’s rescue pup, Mylo, began experiencing respiratory issues, she discovered that many conventional candles were filled with ingredients known to irritate both people and pets. Rather than give up her love of cozy scents, she set out to create something better — candles made with strict ingredient standards, clean-burning materials, and a built-in giveback mission. Every Companion Candle is a reflection of her belief that a warm, inviting home should never come at the expense of the animals we love.

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These candles are formulated to be free of 250+ toxins, use FSC-certified wooden wicks, and are positioned as pet-safe. Companion Candle also embeds giving into the business model — every order supports animal welfare initiatives — and they’ve sold tens of thousands of candles while scaling that impact

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1. Cleaner ingredient standards (fewer hidden toxins).

Companion Candles explicitly excludes large groups of hazardous chemicals commonly used in fragrance formulations — listing avoidance of carcinogens, mutagens, reproductive toxins, organ toxins, and acute toxins — and boasts a formula free of 250+ toxins. That kind of exclusion list matters because scented products can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate matter; choosing candles with stricter ingredient limits reduces the chance of introducing those compounds indoors. 

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2. Pet-first safety focus.

Many candle makers design for people only. Companion Candles built the line with pets in mind from day one after Loren’s experience with Mylo. That means sourcing fragrance oils and formulating products to minimize ingredients that can trigger respiratory irritation in animals. For pet households, that intentionality is a real differentiator. 

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3. FSC-certified wooden wicks = cleaner burn + atmosphere.

Companion Candles uses FSC-certified wood wicks, which are eco-friendly and clean-burning. Wooden wicks tend to produce less soot and a more even melt pool, and they add a cozy crackle that enhances the winter-time experience — all while supporting responsible forestry when FSC certification is used. 

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4. Better fragrance sourcing and transparency.

Companion Candles scent oils come from a manufacturer with “the most comprehensive, rigorous standards in the fragrance industry,” and they can point to their long exclusion list for hazardous groups. In a market where many inexpensive candles rely on cheaper fragrance or petroleum-derived components, that higher standard improves both scent quality and (potentially) indoor air outcomes. 

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5. Built-in giveback — your candle purchase does good.

Beyond formulation and materials, Companion Candles integrates giving into the business model: a portion of proceeds goes to help animals in need. That means the choice is not only about safer burning at home, but also about supporting animal welfare through the purchase itself.

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