Can You Use Essential Oils in Candles? Your Expert Guide
Essential oils are prized for their natural aromas and versatile uses, but can they be used in candles? The answer is yes, with a few important caveats. While essential oils can add lovely, complex scents to handmade candles, they require a thoughtful approach for safe and effective use.
In this guide, we’ll explore whether you can use essential oils in candles, the best methods for doing so, and tips for creating beautifully fragrant, plant-based candles at home or for your brand.
What Are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are highly concentrated, aromatic oils extracted from plants, flowers, herbs, and fruits. Unlike synthetic fragrance oils, essential oils are natural and often used in aromatherapy, skincare, and wellness products due to their potent scent profiles and plant-derived origins.
Popular essential oils include lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint, citrus oils like lemon and orange, and resinous oils like frankincense and myrrh. Each essential oil offers a unique scent and experience, but not all are suited for candle-making without careful consideration.
Can You Use Essential Oils in Candles?
Yes, you can use essential oils in candles, but it’s important to understand the limitations. Essential oils are volatile, meaning they evaporate quickly when exposed to heat. This makes them more delicate than synthetic fragrance oils and can result in a weaker scent throw (the strength of the fragrance both when the candle is unlit and burning).
Key Considerations When Using Essential Oils in Candles
To make sure your scented candles are fragrant, enjoyable, and most of all, safe, make sure to keep the following considerations in mind:
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Flash Point: Essential oils have different flash points—the temperature at which they begin to evaporate or ignite. If you add essential oils when the wax is too hot, the scent may burn off. If you’re not sure about the flash point of your oil, you can reach out to the experts at Wholesale Botanics for their advice.
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Scent Throw: Essential oils often have a lighter scent throw than synthetic options, especially in large spaces.
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Usage Rate: Essential oils must be used at the proper ratio to ensure the candle is both fragrant and safe to burn.
Pros and Cons of Using Essential Oils in Candles
When deciding if essential oils are right for your candles, you’ll want to think deeply about the pros and cons. We cover both below to help you make an informed decision:
Pros:
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Natural and Plant-Based: Essential oils are a clean, botanical alternative to synthetic fragrances.
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Custom Aromas: You can create complex, therapeutic blends by mixing different essential oils.
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Great for Niche or Artisanal Brands: Using essential oils in candles can appeal to customers seeking natural, wellness-inspired products.
Cons:
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Weaker Scent Throw: Some essential oils may not produce a strong aroma when burned in a candle.
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Expensive: Essential oils are more costly than synthetic fragrance oils. Note that purchasing from a wholesale supplier, such as Wholesale Botanics, can help you avoid this issue, especially when buying in bulk.
Best Essential Oils for Candle Making
Some essential oils are better suited for candle making due to their higher flash points and stronger scent profiles. These include:
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Lavender Oil: Soothing and floral, lavender is one of the most stable and popular options for candles.
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Sweet Orange Oil: Bright and cheerful, orange oil has a medium flash point and pairs well with spice or floral notes.
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Lemongrass Oil: Citrusy and fresh, lemongrass offers a powerful scent throw and blends well with herbal oils.
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Peppermint Oil: Refreshing and clean, peppermint holds up well in candles and adds an invigorating aroma.
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Eucalyptus Oil: A favorite in spa-style candles, eucalyptus is clarifying and blends beautifully with mint, citrus, or herb oils.
Essential Oils to Avoid in Candles
Some oils are not ideal for candle use due to their low flash points or potential irritants.
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Cinnamon Bark Oil: Strong and spicy, but highly irritating and flammable.
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Clove Oil: A skin and respiratory irritant when burned.
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Wintergreen Oil: Toxic when inhaled or ingested in large quantities.
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Fir Needle Oil: Can be sensitizing and break down in high heat.
Always research an oil’s flash point and safety profile before using it in a candle.
How to Add Essential Oils to Candles
Ready to start adding essential oils to your candles? Follow our step-by-step guide below to begin making fragrant candles.
1. Choose Your Wax Base
Soy wax, beeswax, and coconut wax are great natural options. Soy is particularly popular for its clean burn and ability to retain scent.
2. Melt the Wax
Use a double boiler to gently melt your wax. Avoid direct heat as it can cause the wax to scorch or smoke.
3. Check the Temperature
Wait until the wax cools to about 130–140°F (54–60°C) before adding your essential oils. This ensures the oils won’t evaporate instantly due to high heat.
4. Add Essential Oils
Stir in your oils thoroughly. A common usage ratio is about 6–10% essential oil by weight of the wax. For example, if using 100g of wax, you would use 6–10g of essential oil.
5. Pour the Wax
Carefully pour the scented wax into your candle containers with pre-wicked jars. Let the candle cure for 1–2 days before burning for best results.
Tips for Better Scent Throw with Essential Oils
Looking to create the most powerfully fragrant candles that can make a whole room smell lovely? These tips will help you get the most out of your essential oils when you add them to your candles.
Use Stronger Oils
Peppermint, lemongrass, and citrus oils often throw better than more delicate floral scents.
Blend Oils for Depth
Combine top, middle, and base notes for a fuller, longer-lasting aroma.
Use Smaller Spaces
Natural candles often perform better in small or medium rooms where the scent can concentrate.
Cover Your Candles
When curing, place a lid or cover on your candle to preserve the aroma.
Are Essential Oils Safe to Burn in Candles?
Essential oils are generally safe when used in the right ratios and burned in a properly made candle. However, inhaling any type of smoke or fragrance in large amounts can irritate sensitive individuals.
Safety Tips:
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Test First: Always test new blends before selling or gifting.
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Avoid Direct Skin Contact: Some oils can cause skin irritation. Don’t touch hot candle wax containing essential oils.
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Ventilate: Burn candles in a well-ventilated area.
DIY Essential Oil Candle Recipe
Here’s a simple, beginner-friendly recipe to try:
Materials:
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1 cup soy wax flakes
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20–30 drops of essential oil (e.g., 15 lavender, 10 sweet orange, 5 cedarwood)
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Cotton wick
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Glass or ceramic candle container
Instructions:
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Melt the wax using a double boiler.
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Let it cool to 135°F (57°C).
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Add your essential oils and stir well.
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Secure the wick in the center of the container.
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Pour in the wax and let it cool undisturbed for 24 hours.
Enjoy a clean-burning, naturally scented candle with a revitalizing essential oil fragrance.
Can You Sell Candles Made With Essential Oils?
Yes, but be transparent with your customers. Many handmade candle makers use essential oils to market their candles as clean, botanical, or wellness-inspired. However, always test for safety and label them clearly. Avoid making health claims and ensure your products comply with local labeling laws and fire safety guidelines.
Can You Use Essential Oils in Candles: Final Thoughts
Essential oils can be used in candles, but they require a careful and thoughtful approach. Not all oils are suitable for high heat, and some natural scents won’t be as strong as synthetic fragrances. Still, with proper technique, essential oils can deliver gentle, beautiful aromas in handcrafted candles, especially when blended well and used in cozy, intimate spaces.
Whether you’re making candles for yourself or launching a nature-inspired product line, essential oils offer a customizable, elegant way to elevate your candle creations.