September 06, 2025

Essential Oils in Candles A Complete Guide

Using essential oils in candles is about so much more than just a nice smell. It’s a way to bring a natural, authentic scent into your home, creating an experience that’s deeply connected to wellness and aromatherapy. Unlike synthetic fragrance oils, essential oils are pure extracts straight from the plant. They offer subtle, complex aromas and potential therapeutic benefits, turning your candle from a simple light source into a true element of holistic home care.

Why Choose Essential Oils Over Fragrance Oils?

When you’re making soy candles, the choice between essential oils and fragrance oils is a bit like choosing between a fresh-picked herb from the garden and an artificial flavouring. They might both serve a similar purpose, but the experience they deliver is worlds apart.

Fragrance oils are synthetic compounds, created in a lab to be powerful and consistent. They're incredibly versatile and can mimic almost any scent you can dream up—from "ocean breeze" to "cupcake." But they just don't have the natural depth or the therapeutic qualities you get from their plant-based cousins.

Opting for essential oils is a choice for authenticity. Every drop carries the unique aromatic fingerprint of the plant it came from, giving you a nuanced, clean-burning candle that feels like a direct connection to nature. It’s a decision that fits perfectly with the growing desire for more conscious, wellness-centred products in our homes.

To make the distinction crystal clear, here’s a quick rundown of the core differences.

Essential Oils vs Fragrance Oils at a Glance

Attribute	Essential Oils	Fragrance Oils
Source	100% natural, extracted from plants (flowers, leaves, bark).	Synthetic, created in a laboratory. Can include some natural components.
Scent Profile	Complex, nuanced, and true to the source plant.	Can be very strong, consistent, and available in endless variations.
Purpose	Primarily used for aromatherapy and natural scenting.	Designed specifically for strong, long-lasting scent performance.
Cost	Generally more expensive due to extraction processes.	More affordable and widely available.
Therapeutic Benefits	Yes, contains the natural therapeutic properties of the plant.	No, purely for scent.
Heat Stability	Can be volatile and may lose scent potency when heated.	Formulated to be stable and consistent in high heat (like candles).

This table shows that while fragrance oils are built for performance, essential oils offer a holistic experience that goes far beyond just scent.

The Appeal of Natural Aromatherapy

The biggest draw for many candle makers is the power of aromatherapy. The scent from an essential oil candle isn't just a pleasant smell; it’s a tool you can use to influence your mood and create a specific atmosphere.

To Promote Relaxation: Lavender and chamomile are famous for their calming effects. They're perfect for lighting in the evening to help you unwind and de-stress.
To Boost Energy and Focus: Need a pick-me-up? Bright citrus oils like lemon and sweet orange, or invigorating scents like peppermint and rosemary, can help sharpen your mind and lift your spirits.
To Create a Grounding Ambiance: Earthy notes from oils like cedarwood, sandalwood, and frankincense can make a room feel more stable, serene, and grounded.

By infusing your candles with these pure plant extracts, you're not just scenting a room—you're actively curating an environment to support your mental and emotional well-being.

This wellness-first approach has been a huge driver in the luxury candle market. The U.S. luxury candle segment was valued at around USD 166.3 million in 2024 and is expected to grow at an impressive 11.5% annually through 2030, largely because people are seeking out products with real aromatherapeutic benefits.

Purity and a Cleaner Burn

Beyond aromatherapy, a lot of people simply want purity. Essential oils come directly from plants, with no synthetic additives, which means they contribute to a cleaner-burning candle. This is a big deal for anyone sensitive to artificial chemicals or who makes a non-toxic home environment a top priority. For a deeper look at this, you can check out our comparison of fragrance oil vs. essential oil.

When you choose natural ingredients, you’re making a deliberate choice about the air you breathe. It’s one of the many ways to improve indoor air quality at home and create a healthier space. Ultimately, using essential oils in your candles is a commitment to authenticity, well-being, and a closer connection to the natural world.

How Essential Oils Actually Work in Candle Wax

Ever wonder what really happens when you drop those precious essential oils into a pot of hot wax? It's not just a simple stir-and-pour; it's a delicate dance between chemistry and temperature. Getting this right is the secret to creating candles that fill a room with a beautiful, lasting scent, instead of one that barely whispers.

Think of melted candle wax like a sponge. As it heats up, its molecules expand, creating all these tiny, empty pockets. When you pour in your essential oils, they seep into these spaces. As the wax cools and solidifies, it shrinks, trapping the oil molecules tightly inside. That lovely scent you get from the unlit candle? That's what we call the cold throw.

The real magic, though, ignites with the flame. When you light the wick, the heat creates a small pool of melted wax. This warmth is just enough to release those trapped oil molecules, allowing them to vaporize and waft through the air. This is the hot throw—the incredible aroma that truly fills your space.

The Critical Role of Flash Points

To get a fantastic hot throw, you have to get a handle on one crucial concept: the flash point. In technical terms, it's the lowest temperature at which an oil's vapours can ignite. For candle makers, it's more about the temperature where the oil starts to rapidly evaporate, or "burn off."

Imagine you're sautéing delicate herbs. Toss them into the pan at the perfect temperature, and they release their full, rich aroma. But if the pan is scorching hot, they just burn up, and that beautiful scent is gone in a puff of smoke.

The very same principle applies to essential oils in candles. If you add your oils to wax that's way too hot—well above their flash point—all the most delicate, volatile aromatic compounds will simply vanish into thin air before they ever get a chance to be locked into the wax.

This is probably the most common mistake new candle makers make, and it leads to frustratingly weak-scented candles. You lose all the beautiful top notes of your blend, leaving you with a disappointing hot throw, no matter how much oil you poured in.

Finding the Scent Sweet Spot

So, what's the perfect temperature? Well, it really depends on the specific oils you're working with, as each has its own unique flash point.

Low Flash Point Oils: Think bright, zesty citrus oils like lemon and sweet orange. They typically have lower flash points, often around 45-60°C, making them much more volatile.
High Flash Point Oils: On the other end, you have deep, earthy base notes like patchouli, cedarwood, and sandalwood. Their flash points are much higher, often topping 93°C, so they're far more stable in heat.

The best practice is to add your essential oils when the wax has cooled enough to be safe for the oils, but is still hot enough to mix everything together properly. For most soy waxes, this sweet spot is usually between 70°C and 85°C. This temperature range is high enough to ensure the oil binds beautifully with the wax, yet cool enough to preserve the integrity of most essential oils—even the more delicate ones.

If you want to dive deeper into which specific oils are superstars in wax, our guide on the top essential oils for candles is a great place to start.

The Bond Between Soy Wax and Essential Oils

It turns out that soy wax and essential oils are a fantastic match. The molecular structure of soy wax is denser and more crystalline than old-school paraffin, which gives it a superior ability to hold onto fragrance. In fact, it can typically hold a fragrance load of up to 10% of its own weight.

This strong bond creates a slower, more controlled release of scent as the candle burns. Instead of getting one big blast of fragrance that quickly fades, a well-made soy candle provides a steady, consistent aroma. It allows you to truly enjoy the complex layers of your essential oil blend from the first light all the way down to the last.

Choosing the Best Essential Oils for Candles

Alright, now that you've got the technical side of how essential oils and wax play together, we can dive into the fun part—the creative process! Choosing the right oils is a lot like being a perfumer. You’re not just picking individual scents; you're composing an entire aromatic story. The real secret is understanding how different oils behave and how they contribute to a beautifully balanced fragrance.

Think of a great scent blend like a musical chord. It’s made up of different notes that harmonize perfectly. In candle making, we work with top, middle, and base notes. Each of these note types evaporates at a different speed, which means your candle’s scent will actually evolve and deepen as it burns. A truly captivating blend will have a little something from all three categories.

This image breaks down the core scent families, showing how different oils can shape the experience of your candle.

As you can see, you’re not just choosing an oil for its scent, but for the mood you want to evoke—whether it's calming, energizing, or grounding.

Understanding Scent Notes

I like to think of a scent profile as a pyramid. The base notes are the solid foundation, the middle notes build up the body, and the top notes are that sparkling final touch at the peak.

Top Notes: These are the scents that greet you first. They're bright, fresh, and evaporate the quickest. Think of citrus oils like lemon and bergamot, or fresh herbal notes like eucalyptus. They give that immediate burst of fragrance.
Middle Notes: These are the heart of your fragrance, and they begin to shine just as the top notes start to fade. They provide balance and body, rounding out the scent. Florals like lavender and geranium, or herbaceous oils like rosemary, are classic middle notes.
Base Notes: These are the deep, rich aromas that give a scent its staying power. They evaporate the slowest, providing that lingering fragrance long after the candle is out. Earthy and woodsy oils like cedarwood, sandalwood, and frankincense are popular base notes that add incredible depth and complexity.

Believe it or not, the U.S. candle market has over 10,000 different scent options, and so many of them are built on this very principle of blending essential oil notes. From the smallest votive to a huge three-wick candle, it's the strategic layering of oils that makes a scent truly memorable.

Essential Oils That Perform Best in Wax

Let's be honest: not all essential oils are cut out for candle making. Some are absolute superstars—they bind beautifully with soy wax and give you a fantastic scent throw when the candle is lit. Others, however, are just too delicate and their scent can completely vanish in the heat.

For a little inspiration on how different scents come together in a final product, you could check out something like this Wild Coconut Candle to see how pros do it.

To help you get started with oils that won't let you down, I've put together a table of some top performers. These are known for their strong scent profiles and stability in hot wax, making them a great starting point for your own creations.

Top Performing Essential Oils for Soy Candles

Essential Oil	Scent Note	Flash Point (°C)	Aromatherapy Benefit
Lavender	Middle	72°C	Calming, relaxing, sleep aid
Peppermint	Top/Middle	65°C	Energizing, uplifting, focus-boosting
Eucalyptus	Top	49°C	Decongestant, purifying, invigorating
Cedarwood	Base	100°C+	Grounding, stabilizing, stress-reducing
Lemongrass	Top	71°C	Cleansing, refreshing, mood-lifting
Rosemary	Middle	43°C	Memory aid, clarifying, stimulating
Frankincense	Base	100°C+	Meditative, spiritual, anti-anxiety

This table should give you a solid foundation for choosing oils that not only smell amazing but are also scientifically suited for the candle-making process.

Starting with these proven performers is a smart move. Once you get a feel for them, you can start getting more adventurous and experiment with more complex or delicate oils.

Oils to Approach with Caution

On the flip side, some essential oils are notoriously tricky to work with in candles. Many bright citrus oils, like sweet orange or grapefruit, have very low flash points. This means their scent can literally burn off before the wax has a chance to fully melt. Delicate floral absolutes can also be a challenge, often being too subtle to make an impact when burned.

This doesn't mean you can never use them, but they often need to be blended skillfully with stronger, more robust oils to carry their fragrance. For a deeper dive, our guide on the best essential oils for candle making offers more tips to make sure your candles smell just as good as they look. Taking your time to choose the right ingredients is the first real step toward a beautifully scented candle you can be proud of.

Getting Your Blending Ratios and Techniques Just Right

This is where the real art and science of candle making come together. Putting theory into practice is always the most exciting part, but it does involve a little bit of math. Don’t worry, I’ll walk you through it. We're going to turn those numbers into a beautifully scented candle you can be proud of.

The most important concept to grasp is fragrance load. Simply put, this is the maximum percentage of scent your specific wax can hold onto properly. It's not just a matter of pouring in oil until it smells strong enough. You’re looking for that sweet spot where the wax is saturated enough to throw a great scent, but not so overloaded that the oil starts to seep out or "sweat."

For soy wax, the ideal fragrance load when using essential oils in candles usually lands somewhere between 6% and 10% of the total wax weight. If you push past that 10% mark, you risk ruining the candle's structure and could even create a fire hazard.

Calculating Your Perfect Fragrance Load

Let's crunch the numbers with a simple, real-world example. Say you want to make a standard 8 oz (227g) soy candle and you’ve decided a 7% fragrance load will give you that perfectly balanced aroma you're after.

Here’s the simple formula you’ll use: (Total Wax Weight in Ounces) x (Fragrance Load Percentage) = (Essential Oil Weight in Ounces)

Now, let's plug in our numbers from the example: 8 oz (wax) x 0.07 (for 7%) = 0.56 oz of essential oil

It’s truly that straightforward! To make one 8 oz candle with a 7% fragrance load, you’ll need precisely 0.56 oz (which is about 16g) of your essential oil blend. This is why a digital kitchen scale is a candle maker’s best friend—precision is key.

A quick but crucial tip: Always measure your wax and oils by weight, not volume. Ounces in a liquid measuring cup are completely different from ounces on a scale. Consistency comes from accurate measurements.

Once you have this simple calculation down, you can easily scale any recipe up or down. Whether you’re making a single candle for yourself or a dozen to give away, your results will be consistent every single time.

Beginner Blending Recipes Using Simple Ratios

Now we get to the really creative part—making your own scent blend! When you're just starting out, blending by "parts" is a fantastic way to experiment without getting lost in complicated math. Think of it like mixing a drink; it's all about the ratio.

A "part" can be anything you define it as—one drop, five drops, or a specific weight. The only rule is to keep that ratio consistent within the total amount of essential oil you calculated earlier.

Here are three tried-and-true blends to get you started:

Calm and Centred Blend (Great for Bedrooms)
- 2 parts Lavender (middle note)
- 1 part Cedarwood (base note)
- This classic pairing is deeply relaxing and grounding. It’s perfect for creating a peaceful space to unwind.
Uplifting Citrus Grove Blend (Ideal for Kitchens)
- 2 parts Lemongrass (top note)
- 1 part Rosemary (middle note)
- A bright, clean, and herbaceous aroma that feels incredibly fresh and energizing.
Cozy Fireside Blend (Perfect for Living Rooms)
- 2 parts Sandalwood (base note)
- 1 part Cinnamon (middle note)
- 1 part Sweet Orange (top note)
- This blend is warm, spicy, and wonderfully inviting. It’s exactly what you need to create a comforting, cozy atmosphere.

Start by playing with these simple recipes to build your confidence. You'll quickly get a feel for how different oils work together, and before you know it, you'll be creating your own signature scents. Blending essential oils in candles is an art, and these foundational techniques give you all the tools you need to bring your aromatic vision to life.

Safety Precautions for Making Candles at Home

There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of creating your own candles. But before we get lost in the creative joy, let's talk about the single most important ingredient in your workshop: safety. Working with hot wax and flammable materials demands respect and your full attention. A little prep work is all it takes to make your space a safe, confident place to create.

The absolute golden rule of candle making? Never, ever leave melting wax unattended. It’s just like cooking with hot oil on the stove—you wouldn't just wander off. Wax can overheat in a flash, turning from a creative project into a serious fire risk. Stay present and focused from the second you turn on the heat until your candles are safely poured and cooling.

It's also a good idea to keep the air moving. When you melt soy wax and add those beautiful essential oils, they release vapours. Cracking a window or running a small fan is enough to keep fumes from building up, ensuring your workspace stays fresh and clear.

Your Essential Safety Toolkit

Having the right gear isn't about being paranoid; it's about being a smart crafter. Before you even think about melting a single wax flake, make sure you have these simple items within arm's reach.

Heat-Resistant Gloves: A must-have for protecting your hands from accidental splashes of hot wax.
Protective Eyewear: Safety glasses are non-negotiable. They'll shield your eyes from any unexpected splatters.
Apron: This will save your clothes and protect your skin from hot wax.
Fire Extinguisher: Keep a small fire extinguisher designed for home use nearby. You'll likely never need it, but it’s crucial to have just in case.

Getting started is always easier when you have everything in one place. You can find all the necessary tools and ingredients in something like a complete candle making kit to get you going safely.

Handling Flammable Materials Safely

Remember when we talked about flash points? This is where that piece of knowledge really comes into play. Essential oils are flammable, and pouring them into wax that’s far too hot is a recipe for trouble. Always use a reliable thermometer and add your oils at the correct temperature—usually somewhere between 70°C and 85°C—to keep things safe.

Safety isn’t just a checklist; it's a state of mind. When you respect your materials and the process, you build an environment where you can truly relax and let your creativity shine without a single worry. For a deeper dive, check out our guide on the top candle safety tips for a safe, cozy 2025.

The boom in home candle making is part of a much bigger picture. In 2024, North America held the largest chunk of the global candle market with a 32.34% share, thanks in large part to more people using candles for home ambiance and wellness. With this trend leaning heavily towards natural waxes and pure essential oils, understanding safety has never been more vital.

How to Fix Common Essential Oil Candle Problems

Even the most seasoned candle makers hit a snag now and then. Getting essential oil candles just right is a rewarding craft, but sometimes the final product isn't quite what you had in mind. Let's walk through the most common issues and how to solve them, turning those little frustrations into valuable lessons.

By far the most frequent complaint I hear is about a weak scent throw. You’ve measured your oils perfectly, but when you light the candle, the beautiful aroma you were hoping for is barely noticeable. This almost always comes down to one thing: temperature.

If you add your delicate essential oils when the wax is scorching hot, their most volatile scent compounds—the lovely top notes—will simply evaporate into thin air before they ever get a chance to bind with the wax.

Solving Weak Scent Throw

The secret to a candle that fills the room with fragrance lies in timing and temperature. You need to add the oils when the wax is cool enough not to burn them off, but still hot enough to fully incorporate them.

Watch Your Thermometer: For soy wax, the magic window for adding essential oils is usually between 70°C and 85°C. Don't guess—a good thermometer is a candle maker's best friend.
Stir, Don't Rush: After adding your oils, stir the mixture slowly but continuously for at least two full minutes. This isn't just about mixing; it's about encouraging the oil and wax molecules to properly bond together.
Let It Cure: This is the hard part—patience! Soy wax needs time to cure, which is the process where the fragrance oil fully integrates into the wax's crystalline structure. A minimum of 48 hours is essential, but waiting a full week will give you a dramatically stronger scent.

Fixing Bumpy or Cracked Tops

A lumpy or cracked surface on your finished candle can feel disappointing, but thankfully, it's often a simple fix. This cosmetic issue is typically caused by the wax cooling down too quickly or unevenly.

This often happens if your pouring room is a bit too chilly or if the candle is sitting in a draft. The top layer of wax solidifies much faster than the warmer wax beneath it, causing shrinkage that leads to cracks and bumps.

The easiest way to fix this is with a heat gun on its lowest setting. Gently wave it a few inches over the surface until the top layer melts into a smooth, glossy pool. Then, let it cool and set again in a warm, draft-free spot.

Another issue that can ruin a candle's appearance and burn is tunnelling, where only the wax around the wick melts down. To make sure your future candles burn evenly from edge to edge, you can learn how to fix candle tunnelling in our detailed guide. Once you get the hang of these simple troubleshooting techniques, you’ll be creating beautiful, professional-looking essential oil candles every single time.

Common Questions Answered

Even with the best guide, a few questions always seem to pop up when you're in the middle of a project. Let's tackle some of the most common ones I hear from fellow candle makers to help clear things up before you start pouring.

Can I Really Use Any Essential Oil in a Candle?

The short answer is no, and this is a big one for safety and scent. While you can technically add any essential oil to wax, not all of them are cut out for the job. The most critical factor is the oil's flash point—that's the temperature at which its vapours could ignite.

Oils with a really low flash point, like many bright citrus oils, pose a safety risk. Their delicate scents also have a nasty habit of completely burning off in hot wax, leaving you with a beautifully made but unscented candle. You'll want to stick with oils that have a flash point above 70°C to ensure they are stable and safe in your wax.

How Much Essential Oil Do I Need for One Pound of Wax?

This all comes down to what's called the fragrance load, which is just the percentage of oil you're adding to your wax by weight. For natural soy wax, the sweet spot for essential oils is usually between 6% and 10%. Pushing past 10% won't make your candle stronger; in fact, it can cause the oil to weep out of the wax and even become a fire hazard.

Here's how to calculate the right amount for one pound (16 ounces) of soy wax:

For a 6% load: 16 oz x 0.06 = 0.96 oz of essential oil
For an 8% load: 16 oz x 0.08 = 1.28 oz of essential oil

My best advice? Always measure your ingredients by weight, not volume. It's the only way to get consistent, safe, and beautifully scented candles every single time.

A quick pro-tip: a powerful scent isn't just about cramming in more oil. It's about choosing the right oils and adding them at the perfect temperature. A well-crafted 6% candle will always smell better than a sloppy 10% one.

Why Did My Candle Turn a Different Colour?

Ever made a perfect, creamy white candle only to find it has a yellow or brownish tint a few weeks later? Don't panic! It's almost always a completely natural process. This discolouration usually comes from oxidation and exposure to light.

Some essential oils are more likely to do this than others, especially those with naturally rich colours like vanilla, patchouli, or cinnamon. If you leave your candle in direct sunlight or even under a bright lamp, you'll see this happen much faster. The good news is that it’s purely cosmetic and almost never impacts how your candle burns or smells.

At Shivora Candles, we're all about harnessing the power of pure, natural ingredients to transform your space. We invite you to explore our collection of hand-poured soy wax candles, each one made with premium essential oil blends designed to create the perfect mood. Discover your new favourite scent at Shivora Candles today.