Today we are exploring the best essential oils for candles to take your candle game-to-the next level!
In recent years, the use of essential oils for candles has become increasingly popular. From small tea lights to large pillars, the right blend of essential oils can enhance candle scents that linger and please. But with so many types of essential oils available, it can be a challenge to decide which is the best essential oils suited for your needs. Fear not – we have compiled a guide to the best essential oils for candles, whether it’s making an atmosphere for entertaining friends and family, or just treating yourself to something special.
Keep reading for the top picks and tips that will help maximize the impact of your essential oil candle creations!
What kind of oil is best for candle making?
Oils used in candle making are classified into two major categories. Fragrance oils are synthetic: they are created in a lab to mimic a certain scent. Fragrance oils are more concentrated than essential oils, making them better for infusing into wax. Additionally, their flash-point is often higher too, which can help the candle maintain its scent for a longer period of time. They are often used for mass produced products such as soaps, perfumes and candles. However, due to their chemical make-up, it may cause skin irritations.
Essential oils are natural and more eco-friendly, as they are made by extracting essences from certain aromatic plant parts, retaining their original scent as much as possible. Essential oil has a longer shelf life than fragrance oil, along with use in spiritual well-being and aromatherapy. However, pure essential oils can be more expensive than fragrance oils, and may trigger allergic reactions.
Ultimately, both have pros and cons, and the choice of what is best depends on your candle making needs and preferences.
Types of essential oils
Essential oils are typically categorized based on their oil or water solubility. Water-soluble essential oils mix easily with water and have a lighter scent, making them ideal for creating fragrant candles that are pleasing but not overwhelming. Popular options include lavender, lemon, rosemary, eucalyptus and orange.
Oil-based essential oil require a carrier oil such as olive oil or coconut oil to be blended in before being poured into your candle. These essential oil blends tend to be more intense and longer lasting than the water-soluble varieties, while also producing less smoke when burned. Common choices include sandalwood, cedarwood, patchouli, juniper berry and ylang ylang.
Scents
Essential oils can also be classified by their scent. By knowing the scent of your oils, you can mix and match them to obtain the best fragrance for your candle. The lighter essential oil scents usually include florals and citrus; earthy essential oil scents can be resinous and woodsy scents (think forest); warm essential oil scents include spicy scent varieties, and herbal essential oil scents can include camphorous scents (eucalyptus), mints, and herbal scents.
Notes
When building the overall scent of your candle, essential oil scents can be divided into three layers, or notes. The top note is composed of light scents and is the first fragrance that spreads once the candle is lit. The heart or the middle note is the body of the scent combination.
This combination of scents make up 70% of the overall scent of the candle. Strong, aromatic scents, such as the spicy and herbal scents, usually make up this layer.
The base scent, as its name implies, makes the base of the overall scent and gives it more depth. Woodsy scents are often the best choice for this note. Vanilla is also a popular choice for base notes, for a warm, sweet hint.
7 Best Essential Oils For Candles
A key part of creating a unique and aromatic scent experience is selecting the right essential oils to add to your candles. Whether you are interested in candle making or a lover of all things candles, we have rounded up a guide to some of the best essential oils out there!
Best Overall: Lagunamoon Essential Oils Set
Candle aficionados who create essential oil candles for aromatherapy and relaxation would greatly benefit from the Lagunamoon Essential Oils Set. This small set of 6 steam-distilled essential oils come in varying scent notes, all of which have aromatherapy purposes. The bottle ensures that the essential oil can be stored longer for future use.
Inclusions
- Peppermint, Tea Tree, Lavender, Eucalyptus, Lemongrass, Orange
Pros
- Scent is authentic; does not smell like chemicals
- Perfect for aromatherapy
- Long shelf life
Cons
- Mixed reviews on the strength of the scent
Reviews
- “The scents are very nice, the orange in particular smells the best. All of them have an organic smell rather than a chemical one which is super great”, Zeina
- “The scents are good. We use them for aroma therapy for our special needs daughter and they are working well”, John Hamman
Best Value: Pure Aroma 100% Pure Oils Kit
Those looking for a more affordable essential oil kit or those who want to begin their collection for any purpose can give this 6-bottle set from Pure Aroma great consideration. With the basic essential oils included, you can enjoy the aromatherapy benefits of these oils at a lower cost.
Inclusions
- Peppermint, Tea Tree, Lavender, Eucalyptus, Lemongrass, Orange
Pros
- Perfect for aromatherapy
- Affordable, perfect for those starting their essential oils collection
Cons
- Some reviews mention that the scent is weaker than other kits with the same scent variety.
Reviews
- “This is a great product! I’ve used them all for different purposes and they are amazing! It’s so much more cost effective than purchasing them individually in the store”, Amazon Customer
- “I love the smells coming from this packet. My wife has already been using the fragrances to help her with her anxiety.”, Paul
- “Excellent assorted oils for a very reasonable price”, Bill Hagag
Best Eco-Friendly: PURA D’OR Organic Essential Oils
Candles can be healthy and eco-friendly at the same time with this Certified USDA Organic set from PURA D’OR. The 10 essential oils included in this set are a must-have for those who enjoy aromatherapy and or just experimenting with essential oil candle making. The set also comes in a wooden box, adding to the rustic, nature feel of the kit, which makes storage easier.
Inclusions
- Lavender, Tea Tree, Eucalyptus, Lemon, Cedarwood, Frankincense, Peppermint, Rosemary, Sweet Orange, Lemongrass
Pros
- Great scent
- Eco-friendly: Certified USDA Organic
- Good selection of essential oils for aromatherapy
Cons
- Mixed reviews on packaging; durability of the box
- Some reviews say that the
Reviews
- “If you are looking for something affordable and something you can put in your essential oil machine this will work for you. It does smell good, it is not watered down like most inexpensive essential oils.”, Amazon Customer
- “I could smell all the wonderful fragrances as I was opening the box! So excited to get this package!”, Keli Cortes
Best User-Friendly: Cliganic Organic Aromatherapy Essential Oils Set
Another great option for those who are just starting out on working with essential oils is this set of 10 from Cliganic. Your DIY candles will surely get the relaxing aromatherapy benefits from the set’s variety of essential oils: they even have the set of instructions included as well. This is very helpful for those who do not have an idea on what scent combinations they can use. It also allows the benefits of essential oils to be maximized as well.
Inclusions
- Peppermint, Lavender, Eucalyptus, Tea Tree, Lemongrass, Rosemary, Frankincense, Orange
Pros
- Long lasting scent
- The How-to-Use guide is great for those who are just getting into using essential oil
Cons
- Some reviews mention that some of the bottles are not filled / inconsistent amounts
Reviews
- “I love all the different oils that’s included in this set. It comes with a booklet that tells you which ones mix well together. Overall, I’m very happy with my purchase.”, Lissyann
- “Love this product, the smell is amazing! Fills the room with wonderful fragrance.”, Charlie
- “ Love the idea that it comes with a booklet that gives you” recipes” on how to mix the different scents and for what they do”, Ethan
Best Variety: Lagunamoon Essential Oil Set of 20
Candle makers who want more of the LagunaMoon Essential Oils set would be thrilled to try their more extensive range of 20 essential oil blends. Not only is it more economical, you are spoiled for choice (its never enough)!
Inclusions
- Bergamot, cedar, chamomile, cinnamon, eucalyptus, frankincense, geranium, grapefruit, jasmine, lavender, lemon, lemongrass, orange, peppermint, rose, rosemary, sandalwood, tea tree, vanilla and vetiver oils
Pros
- Candle scent is authentic; does not smell like chemicals
- Perfect for aromatherapy
- Long shelf life
- Great variety of scents for price
Cons
- Mixed reviews on the strength of the candle scent
Reviews
- “I chose these oils by the reviews and the variety of scents the box offered. They are nicely packaged for easy keeping. The bottles have a nice cap to keep them sealed. They smell wonderful and are potent. I really enjoy them.”, Amazon Customer
- “I love this set. The scents are full without being overpowering.”, Vita Rhodes
- “Love the variety of scents. Was a great way to get started with essential oils to figure out what I like.”, Monica
Best Fragrance Oil: Eternal Essence Oils from Southern
For scented candles that will serve to complement rooms with wonderful scent, candle lovers and makers will have a lot of fun using these fragrance oils from Eternal Essence Oils. The Southern range offers aromas from sweet to floral to spicy, making any candle with these oils perfect for any room in the home or occasion.
Inclusions
- Sweet Pea, Honeysuckle, Magnolia, Maple Pecan, Sweet Rain, Red Currant and Thyme Tea
Pros
- Long lasting
- Great variety of scents
Cons
- The scents are standalone, it is hard to combine them with the notes from other oils
Reviews
- “Smell is fresh and holds! Using them for freshies and candles.”, Cheyenne Voyles
- “Nice mix of scents. Seems as strong as any I have had in the past. I have no way to tell if it’s natural or not but seems mostly natural.”, Kevin
Best Starter Candle Making Kit: SoftOwl Premium Soy Candle Making Kit
Everything a beginner needs for their first experience in DIY candle making is included in the SoftOwl Premium Soy Candle Making Kit. With soy wax, dye, candle containers, wicks and 7 fragrance oils, immerse in the joy of creating your very own scented candles for your home or as a gift.
Inclusions
- Soy wax, jars, 7 fragrance oils, 10 dye blocks, wick, glue dots, pipettes, stirring spoon, melting pot
Pros
- Easy to use
- Generous amount of soy wax for a starter kit
Cons
- Fragrance oils may not be an eco-friendly option
- The flower decorations may be a fire hazard if they were not allowed to sink deep enough during the candle creating process
- Mixed reviews on the strength of the scent
Reviews
- “This is absolutely a wonderful candle making kit! The jars are quality jars, the scents and colors are accurate, and the dried flowers make the candles look so professional!”, Amazon Customer
- “Have been interested in starting a candle business so I ordered this to see if I even enjoyed the process. This kit was fun and easy to use, as well as producing some decent candles. The color selection was a particular favorite of mine. I also love that it includes tins and jars, it gives you lots of room to experiment.”, Mandi O.
How to make essential oil candles
To start making your own candles, you need the following:
- Candle wax
- Candle containers/molds
- Measuring cups/Measuring scale
- Essential Oils
- Candle dye (Crayons will do)
- Wick holder (Clothespins)
- Thermometer
- Candle wicks
- Double boiler
- Wooden spoon/ Silicone spatula
- Stove/ Microwave
- Microwavable bowl
You can get a starter kit here!
Creating the candle
- Melt the wax in a double boiler.
- Once the wax reaches a certain temperature, you can add in the essential oils and the color. If you are using soy or paraffin wax, wait until it reaches the melting temperature of 180°F-185°F.
- Dip the base of the candle wix into the melted wax to help it stick into the wax mold or container. You can make the wick stay in place when you pour in wax with wick holders.
- Wait for the wax to cool a bit before pouring it in the mold. Once poured in, trim the wick ¼ length above the wax. Let the wax cool completely.
How much essential oil should I put in a candle?
Firstly, choose the essential oil that you will be adding into your candle. There is no limit to the number of essential oil you can add, but for starters, 3 or 4 oils are recommended. To check how your essential oil blends smell like, just add equal drops of each in a container and shake well. Just continue to do so until you achieve the scent combination you like.
Next, how much essential oil you should use in your candles varies depending on the size and type of candle you are making. Generally, it’s recommended to use one to two drops of essential oil for every 10 grams (or 0.35 ounces) of wax used.
For large pillar candles, up to 8 drops may be used per 10 grams, while smaller votive and tealight candles can handle as little as 1 drop per 10 grams. Keep in mind that the candle scent will become more intense as the candle burns, so start with a lower concentration and add more essential oil drops if desired.
Bonus tip: For a strong, pleasant smelling candle, the recommended amount of essential oil is 10% of the total amount of wax to be used. For soy wax candles, you can increase it to 12%.
How do you make essential oil candles smell stronger?
For candles that pack a more powerful punch, try using higher concentrations of essential oils. To make your scented candle smell stronger, add 10-15% more essential oil than what is recommended in the recipe.
Another option to effectively spread the scent around your home is to double on wicks. Making sure you’re working with quality essential oil blends is also key – buy from reputable brands who provide consistent scents and accurate labeling when purchasing essential oils for your candle making needs!
FAQ
Can I use any essential oil to make candles?
While any essential oil can be used in candle making, not all will perform the same. When choosing an essential oil or blend to use in your scented candles, consider factors like flash-point (the temperature at which an oil evaporates), notes (smell of scent blends) and throw (the amount or strength of fragrance that is released).
Bear in mind that fragrance oils may also be better suited to infusing into the wax than pure essential oils due to its higher flash points and concentration.
What are the best essential oils for soy candles?
When making soy candles (or any candle) with essential oils, it’s important to choose essential oil blends that are safe to use in waxes. Popular essential oil choices for soy wax candles include lavender, ylang-ylang, bergamot, jasmine, pine, sandalwood and lemongrass. These scents are calming and relaxing and can help create a soothing atmosphere in your home.
Citrusy scents such as orange and lemon can also be used to give your candle a refreshing boost of energy. For a more intense aroma, try using patchouli and cedarwood – which will linger in the air for hours after being burned. No matter which scent you choose, using essential oil in your soy candles will make them truly unique!
Wrap Up
No matter what essential oil you choose, blending essential oils to your DIY candle creations will give them an extra special touch. Consider factors such as flash-point and scent throw. And don’t forget to have some fun experimenting with different scents – who knows, maybe you’ll create the perfect blend! With these tips in mind you can make sure your essential oil candles burn bright for hours – and leave behind nothing but a beautiful scent when extinguished!
Happy burning! 😊