7 Essential oils for candle making You Should Know
Choosing the right essential oils for candle making is the secret to creating captivating, all-natural home fragrances. Moving beyond synthetic fragrance oils allows you to craft candles with authentic, complex aromas and potential aromatherapy benefits. This guide simplifies the process, offering a curated roundup of the best essential oils suited for soy wax and other natural waxes, ensuring a beautiful scent throw and safe, clean burn every time.
We will explore a handpicked selection of top-tier essential oils, from calming Lavender to invigorating Peppermint, detailing their unique scent profiles, from top to base notes. You will discover which oils perform best in candles, learn proper usage ratios for optimal results, and find inspiring blend recipes to start your creative journey. We’ll also cover crucial safety guidelines specific to using pure essential oils in heated wax, helping you avoid common pitfalls like overheating or poor scent diffusion.
This comprehensive listicle is designed to be your go-to resource, whether you're a beginner looking for reliable starting points or an experienced chandler aiming to refine your scent creations. We will delve into specific oils, their properties, and how to blend them harmoniously to craft candles that not only look beautiful but also elevate any space with their pure, natural essence.
1. New Directions Aromatics
New Directions Aromatics stands as a cornerstone for both budding hobbyists and established candle-making businesses in Canada. It has earned its place as a leading supplier by focusing on high-quality, pure essential oils and a comprehensive range of raw materials. This dedication to quality control ensures that when you're searching for the best essential oils for candle making, you are sourcing products that provide authentic, consistent scents for your final creations.
What truly sets this supplier apart is its commitment to transparency and education. Each product page is a wealth of information, offering not just scent profiles but also crucial safety data sheets (SDS) and certificates of analysis. This level of detail empowers candlemakers to understand the properties of their chosen oils, ensuring they use them safely and effectively. For a deeper dive into selecting the right oils, you can explore this guide on the best essential oils for candles to complement your research.
Key Features & Offerings
The platform is particularly valuable for those looking to scale their operations. New Directions Aromatics offers competitive pricing on bulk orders, making it an economical choice for professionals. While there might be minimum order requirements, the cost savings on larger quantities often offset this for serious makers.
| Feature Highlights | User Experience |
|---|---|
| Vast Product Selection | The website is well-organised, allowing you to filter oils by botanical name, scent, or intended use. |
| Detailed Documentation | Access to SDS and other technical documents is straightforward, promoting safe handling and use. |
| Bulk Pricing Options | Significant discounts are available for larger volumes, ideal for small businesses. |
| Canadian Based | As a Canadian company, it provides a reliable domestic supply chain for local artisans. |
Navigating the website is generally intuitive, though the sheer volume of products can be overwhelming for a newcomer. A pro tip is to use their "Shop by Use" category and select "Candle Making" to quickly narrow down the most suitable options for your projects. While shipping times can vary, the quality and purity of the essential oils for candle making offered make New Directions Aromatics a top-tier choice.
2. Village Craft & Candle
Village Craft & Candle has carved out a niche as a beloved supplier for the Canadian candle-making community, from beginners to seasoned professionals. The platform is celebrated for its carefully curated selection of supplies, including a robust range of essential oils for candle making specifically tested for performance in various waxes. Their approach is less about overwhelming volume and more about providing reliable, high-quality options that work consistently, especially for soy wax candles.
What makes Village Craft & Candle stand out is its focus on the maker's journey. They understand that finding the perfect scent is a process of experimentation, which is why they offer smaller, sample-sized bottles of their oils. This allows candlemakers to test different scents and blends without committing to a large, expensive purchase. This user-centric feature, combined with detailed product descriptions and helpful tutorials, makes it an exceptionally approachable resource for anyone looking to perfect their craft.
Key Features & Offerings
The website is designed with the user in mind, making it easy to find not just products but also the knowledge needed to use them effectively. Village Craft & Candle also provides excellent customer service, ready to assist with questions about using essential oils for candle making or other technical aspects of the process. While shipping costs can be a consideration for remote locations, their flat-rate options for major centres are competitive.
| Feature Highlights | User Experience |
|---|---|
| Curated Oil Selection | The range is focused on oils that perform well in candles, removing guesswork for makers. |
| Sample Sizes Available | Ability to purchase small quantities for testing is perfect for experimenting with new scents. |
| Educational Resources | The site features helpful guides, tips, and tutorials tailored to their product offerings. |
| Soy Wax Specialization | Many products are specifically noted for their excellent performance in natural soy wax. |
Navigating the site is a breeze thanks to its clean layout and logical categories. A useful tip is to check their "Learning" section for guides on calculating fragrance loads and understanding flashpoints, which is crucial for safety. Though popular items can sometimes go out of stock due to high demand, the overall quality, educational support, and thoughtful product sizing make Village Craft & Candle an indispensable partner for candlemakers across Canada.
3. Lark Supply
For candle makers who prioritize sophistication and unique scent profiles, Lark Supply offers a beautifully curated experience. Based in British Columbia, this supplier has carved out a niche by focusing on premium fragrance oils that are often blended with essential oils for candle making, providing complex, high-end aromas. They cater to the discerning creator looking for scents that stand out from the crowd.
What makes Lark Supply particularly compelling is its commitment to sustainability and modern aesthetics. Their oils are phthalate-free, paraben-free, and cruelty-free, appealing to an eco-conscious market. The company also shines a light on the nuances between different types of oils, which is crucial for makers to understand. For a detailed comparison to help you choose the right medium for your candles, you can read this guide on fragrance oil vs essential oil to make an informed decision.
Key Features & Offerings
Lark Supply is ideal for artisans building a premium brand. While their selection is more curated than massive wholesale suppliers, each scent is meticulously developed to offer a distinctive character. The personalized customer service and focus on quality over quantity create a boutique-like experience for shoppers.
| Feature Highlights | User Experience |
|---|---|
| Curated Scent Collections | The website offers an elegant and easy-to-navigate interface, focusing on scent stories rather than just ingredients. |
| Eco-Friendly Formulations | Clear labelling and commitment to clean, sustainable ingredients build trust with makers and their customers. |
| Premium, Unique Blends | While their range of pure essential oils for candle making is smaller, their fragrance blends are exceptional. |
| Focus on Quality | The higher price point reflects the premium, unique nature of the fragrances, targeting luxury candle lines. |
The user experience on the Lark Supply website is clean and inspiring, with beautiful product photography and detailed scent descriptions that evoke a specific mood. A helpful tip for new customers is to start with one of their sample packs, which allows you to test several fragrances before committing to a larger bottle. This approach is perfect for finding a signature scent for your brand. While the product range is intentionally limited, it ensures that every option has been carefully vetted for quality and performance in candles.
4. Canwax
Canwax has carved out a niche as a go-to Canadian supplier for candle makers, offering an extensive collection of supplies that cater to both newcomers and seasoned artisans. Its reputation is built on providing a comprehensive range of materials, including a wide array of essential oils for candle making that are notably tested for their compatibility with soy wax. This specific focus ensures creators can confidently select oils that will perform well and deliver consistent, beautiful scents in their natural wax candles.
What makes Canwax particularly appealing is its accessibility for hobbyists and small-scale producers. The platform offers affordable pricing without imposing large minimum order quantities, making it easy to experiment with new scents. Each product page includes detailed descriptions and usage guidelines, empowering makers with the knowledge needed to achieve optimal scent throw and safety. For those just starting, their curated kits provide an excellent entry point into the craft.
Key Features & Offerings
The platform stands out for its practical approach, directly addressing the needs of the modern candle maker with frequent promotions and a solid product lineup. While the primary focus is on candle supplies, the selection of high-quality essential oils makes it a valuable resource for anyone prioritizing scent performance in natural waxes.
| Feature Highlights | User Experience |
|---|---|
| Soy Wax Tested Oils | Many oils are tested for soy wax, giving makers confidence in their scent throw performance. |
| Affordable for Hobbyists | Competitive pricing and no high minimums make it ideal for experimenting and small batches. |
| Detailed Usage Guides | Product pages offer practical tips and information on how to best use the oils in candles. |
| Frequent Promotions | Regular sales and discounts provide excellent value, especially for those stocking up on supplies. |
Although the website’s navigation can sometimes feel a bit challenging for first-time visitors, using the search bar with specific oil names like "lavender" or "eucalyptus" is an effective way to find what you need quickly. Stock availability can sometimes be limited on popular items, so it's a good idea to purchase your favourite essential oils for candle making when you see them available. Overall, Canwax offers a reliable and budget-friendly option for the Canadian candle-making community.
5. Candlehaven.ca
Candlehaven.ca offers a boutique experience for Canadian candle makers, focusing on a curated collection of premium fragrance oils and supplies. While not exclusively a supplier of essential oils for candle making, their ethos revolves around quality and superior scent performance, which extends to their select essential oil offerings. This platform is ideal for creators who prioritize unique, high-quality scents and eco-friendly products to craft distinctive, memorable candles.
What distinguishes Candlehaven.ca is its handpicked, small-batch approach to sourcing. Instead of an exhaustive catalogue, they provide a carefully selected range of fragrances known for their exceptional scent throw in various waxes. This focus on quality over quantity ensures that makers are getting reliable and potent oils. For those building a complete toolkit, Candlehaven.ca is an excellent starting point; you can find more information on rounding out your inventory in this guide to the top supplies for making candles to complement their offerings.
Key Features & Offerings
The platform is designed to inspire creativity with its unique and often exclusive scent profiles. Candlehaven.ca is particularly appealing to artisans creating luxury or niche candle lines where scent character is paramount. They also champion sustainability, offering eco-friendly waxes and wicks to pair with your chosen oils.
| Feature Highlights | User Experience |
|---|---|
| Curated Fragrance Selection | The focus on high-quality, tested fragrances simplifies the selection process for makers. |
| Eco-Friendly Focus | Strong emphasis on sustainable products, appealing to environmentally conscious brands. |
| Responsive Customer Service | As a smaller operation, they are known for providing personalized and helpful support. |
| Canadian Owned & Operated | Offers a reliable domestic source with free shipping in Canada on orders over $150. |
Navigating the Candlehaven.ca website is a streamlined and pleasant experience, thanks to its clean design and focused product categories. While the selection of essential oils for candle making is more limited than that of larger distributors, the quality is exceptional. The higher price point reflects the premium, curated nature of their products, making it a worthy investment for artisans dedicated to producing top-tier candles with an outstanding scent throw.
6. Soap & More
Soap & More is a well-regarded Canadian supplier that has carved out a niche by focusing on high-quality, plant-based ingredients for personal care and home fragrance. For those seeking essential oils for candle making, this platform offers a curated collection of pure essential oils, absolutes, and natural plant-based fragrance blends chosen for their vibrant aromas and therapeutic benefits. Their commitment to purity ensures your candles will have authentic, clean scents.
What makes Soap & More particularly appealing to discerning makers is its dedication to sensory experience and education. A unique feature is the option to purchase sample strips, allowing you to test fragrances before committing to a larger bottle. This "try before you buy" approach is invaluable for perfecting a signature scent. Their focus on natural, plant-derived products means you won't find synthetic fragrance oils here, making it an ideal choice for creators who prioritise an all-natural ingredient list.
Key Features & Offerings
The platform is especially welcoming to newcomers and those in educational programs. Soap & More offers discounts for students enrolled in skincare or aromatherapy courses, demonstrating a commitment to supporting the next generation of artisans. While some of their premium absolutes and oils may have higher price points, the quality justifies the investment for luxury candle lines.
| Feature Highlights | User Experience |
|---|---|
| Pure, Plant-Based Scents | A curated selection of high-quality essential oils, absolutes, and natural fragrance blends. |
| Sample Strip Options | Allows for cost-effective scent testing before purchasing full-sized bottles. |
| Educational Discounts | Supports students with discounts, fostering learning and experimentation. |
| Canadian Owned | Based in Calgary, it provides a reliable source for high-quality ingredients within Canada. |
Navigating the website is straightforward, with a clean layout that makes finding specific essential oils for candle making simple. The user-friendly interface is less overwhelming than larger wholesale sites, making it perfect for hobbyists or small-batch producers. A practical tip is to explore their "Natural Plant Based Fragrance Oils" section, as it contains unique blends specifically formulated to perform well in candles, offering complex scent profiles that are difficult to create from scratch. For more details on their offerings, visit their candle supplies collection.
7. Amazon Canada
Amazon Canada serves as a vast and accessible marketplace for candlemakers, offering an unparalleled variety of essential oils from countless sellers. Its strength lies in its convenience and sheer volume, providing everything from budget-friendly starter kits to premium, single-origin oils. For those starting their journey with essential oils for candle making, Amazon provides a low-barrier entry point with competitive pricing and familiar user experience.
What makes Amazon stand out is the power of customer feedback. The extensive system of reviews and ratings allows you to gauge the quality and scent profile of an oil before purchasing, a feature not always available on dedicated supplier sites. This crowd-sourced information is invaluable, though it requires careful reading to distinguish genuine feedback. Prime members also benefit from expedited shipping, making it an excellent option for last-minute supply needs.
Key Features & Offerings
The platform is particularly advantageous for its wide selection and competitive environment, which often leads to attractive deals and lower prices. While it hosts professional-grade brands, the onus is on the buyer to verify the purity and suitability of the products for candle applications.
| Feature Highlights | User Experience |
|---|---|
| Extensive Selection | An almost limitless variety of brands, sizes, and price points are available in one place. |
| Customer Reviews | In-depth user reviews and photos provide real-world insights into product performance. |
| Fast Shipping Options | Prime eligibility on many products ensures quick delivery for urgent projects. |
| Competitive Pricing | The marketplace format encourages sellers to offer competitive prices and frequent deals. |
Navigating Amazon for essential oils for candle making requires a strategic approach. A pro tip is to use specific search terms like "100% pure therapeutic grade essential oil" and then filter results by sellers with high ratings and positive reviews. Always check product descriptions to ensure the oil is not diluted with a carrier oil unless that is what you specifically need. While quality can be inconsistent between sellers, its convenience and vast selection secure Amazon's spot as a go-to resource for many Canadian artisans.
Top 7 Essential Oils Suppliers Comparison
| Supplier | 🔄 Implementation Complexity | ⚡ Resource Requirements | 📊 Expected Outcomes | 💡 Ideal Use Cases | ⭐ Key Advantages |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Directions Aromatics | Moderate: Bulk ordering and safety data review | Medium: Requires bulk purchase and storage | High quality, authentic scents for candles | Hobbyists to professionals needing pure oils | High-quality oils, detailed info, bulk pricing |
| Village Craft & Candle | Low to moderate: Easy access to samples | Low to medium: Sample sizes reduce upfront costs | Reliable, tested scents with educational support | Beginners and pros wanting to test scents first | Sample sizes, tutorials, responsive service |
| Lark Supply | Moderate: Premium focus with curated choices | Medium: Higher cost, eco-friendly sourcing | Unique, sophisticated fragrances with sustainability | Candle makers seeking premium and eco options | Distinctive scents, sustainable, personalized service |
| Canwax | Moderate: Wide product range, some navigation challenges | Low to medium: Affordable supplies and kits | Versatile soy wax-compatible products | Beginners and experienced makers on budget | Affordable, soy-tested oils, frequent discounts |
| Candlehaven.ca | Moderate: Limited range but high quality | Medium to high: Premium, eco-friendly products | Superior scent throw with eco-conscious appeal | Makers valuing creativity and scent strength | Unique fragrances, eco-friendly, free shipping over $150 |
| Soap & More | Low to moderate: Plant-based focus only | Low to medium: Samples available, educational discounts | Pure, therapeutic aromas | Those wanting natural, plant-based fragrance oils | Plant-based purity, sample options, student discounts |
| Amazon Canada | Variable: Depends on seller quality | Low to high: Budget to premium options available | Wide range of products with customer feedback | Buyers needing variety and fast delivery | Wide selection, competitive prices, Prime shipping |
Final Thoughts
Embarking on the journey of crafting your own scented candles is a deeply rewarding experience, transforming your creative vision into a tangible, aromatic reality. Throughout this guide, we've explored the foundational elements required to master the art of using essential oils for candle making, from understanding scent notes and safety protocols to discovering reliable Canadian suppliers. You are now equipped with the knowledge to not just make a candle, but to design an olfactory experience.
We've delved into the specific offerings of top suppliers like New Directions Aromatics and Village Craft & Candle, highlighting their extensive selections and commitment to quality. We also covered the unique benefits of sourcing from niche specialists such as Lark Supply and established Canadian-based providers like Canwax, Candlehaven.ca, and Soap & More. Each supplier offers a distinct advantage, whether it's bulk pricing, curated kits for beginners, or access to hard-to-find botanicals.
Key Takeaways for Your Candle Making Journey
As you move forward, keep these critical insights at the forefront of your creative process:
- Quality is Paramount: The purity and sourcing of your essential oils directly impact your candle's scent throw, burn quality, and safety. Always prioritise reputable suppliers who provide detailed product information, including flash points and safety data sheets.
- Testing is Non-Negotiable: The interaction between wax, wick, and essential oil is complex. Small test batches are your most valuable tool. Document every variable, from the percentage of essential oil used to the curing time, to replicate your successes and learn from your experiments.
- Embrace the Art of Blending: The true magic lies in creating signature scents. Start with the classic 30-50-20 ratio for top, middle, and base notes, but don't be afraid to experiment. Let your intuition and personal preference guide you toward unique and memorable combinations.
Your Actionable Next Steps
To turn this knowledge into action, start small and build your confidence. Select one or two base oils, like the versatile Lavender or the grounding Cedarwood, and a complementary middle or top note. Purchase a starter kit from a supplier like Village Craft & Candle or Canwax to ensure you have all the correct tools without a large initial investment.
Your first project doesn't need to be perfect; its purpose is to familiarise you with the process. Focus on mastering the basics: accurately measuring your wax and oils, monitoring temperatures, and achieving a smooth, even pour. By focusing on these fundamentals, you will build a strong foundation for more ambitious and creative projects in the future. Remember that every master chandler started with a single, simple candle. Let your passion for beautiful, natural aromas be your guide, and enjoy every step of this wonderfully fragrant craft.
Feeling inspired but not quite ready to pour your own? Explore the masterful blends and artisanal quality of Shivora Candles. We meticulously source and blend the finest essential oils to create luxurious, clean-burning soy candles that elevate any space. Discover your next favourite scent at Shivora Candles.