Essential Oils for Candle Making: Best Natural Scents & Aromatherapy Tips

Homemade candles are more than just cozy home accessories—they’re a personal statement, a mood enhancer, and an opportunity to infuse your space with the natural power of plants. If you're looking to make your own candles with a clean, therapeutic fragrance, essential oils are the best place to start.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about using essential oils for candle making, from choosing the best natural scents to making them last longer, and even tips for safe and effective aromatherapy candle crafting.

Why Use Essential Oils in Candles?

Essential oils are plant-based extracts known for their therapeutic properties and beautiful scents. Unlike synthetic fragrances, essential oils are free from harsh chemicals and offer benefits beyond smell, such as relaxation, focus, immune support, and stress relief.

Benefits of Using Essential Oils in Candle Making:

• 100% natural and non-toxic

• Ideal for aromatherapy

• Free from artificial dyes, phthalates, and synthetic chemicals

• Customizable scent combinations

• Great for eco-conscious and wellness-focused lifestyles

That said, essential oils behave differently from synthetic fragrance oils. They are more volatile and require special care during the candle-making process to retain their scent and therapeutic properties.

How Essential Oils Work in Candles

In a candle, essential oils are dispersed as the wax melts. The heat activates the oils, releasing their aroma into the air. However, essential oils are delicate and evaporate quickly when exposed to high temperatures. This is why the type of wax, the temperature you add the oils, and how much you use all impact your final result.

Best Types of Wax for Essential Oils

The wax you use directly affects scent retention and throw. Here are the best options:

Soy Wax:

• Clean-burning and eco-friendly

• Holds essential oils moderately well

• Ideal for beginners and DIY candle makers

Coconut Wax:

• Excellent scent throw

• Blends well with soy for a smoother texture

• Higher cost but great for luxury candles

Beeswax:

• Natural, long-burning wax

• Subtle honey scent can alter essential oil blends

• Less ideal for scent throw unless blended with other waxes

How Much Essential Oil to Use in Candles

Essential oils are less potent than synthetic fragrances when it comes to diffusion through wax, so you'll often need more than you think. A general guideline is to use 6–10% of the wax weight in essential oils.

For example:

• 500 grams of wax → use 30–50 grams of essential oils (about 3–5 tablespoons)

Keep in mind that going beyond 10% can lead to oil separation and safety concerns, so it's important to test in small batches.

Best Temperature to Add Essential Oils to Wax

Adding oils at the right temperature is critical to preserve their aroma.

• Ideal temperature: 60–65°C (140–150°F)

• Too hot: Oils will evaporate before binding to wax

• Too cold: Oils may not integrate properly

Stir gently but thoroughly for at least 30–60 seconds before pouring the wax into containers.

Best Essential Oils for Candle Making

Not all essential oils are suitable for candles. You need ones with a strong scent and a relatively high flash point so they don't evaporate during pouring. Here are some of the best:

Calming & Sleep-Enhancing:

• Lavender: Classic floral scent, promotes relaxation

• Chamomile: Calms nerves, ideal for bedtime candles

• Ylang Ylang: Sweet and exotic, reduces stress

• Frankincense: Grounding and meditative

Energizing & Uplifting:

• Sweet Orange: Bright, citrusy, and joyful

• Lemongrass: Fresh and herbaceous, boosts mood

• Peppermint: Cooling and invigorating

• Grapefruit: Light, fruity, and energizing

Earthy & Woody:

• Cedarwood: Deep and masculine, grounding

• Patchouli: Warm and musky, ideal for meditation

• Sandalwood: Soft and creamy, luxurious feel

• Vetiver: Deep, earthy, and long-lasting

Cleansing & Purifying:

• Eucalyptus: Strong and clean, clears the airways

• Tea Tree: Antimicrobial and medicinal

• Rosemary: Herbal and sharp, improves focus

How to Blend Essential Oils for Candles

Blending essential oils allows you to create custom scents that are more complex and balanced. A good blend includes:

• Top note: The initial scent (e.g., citrus, peppermint)

• Middle note: The body of the scent (e.g., lavender, rosemary)

• Base note: The long-lasting foundation (e.g., cedarwood, patchouli)

Example Blends:

Relaxing Bedtime Blend

• 8 drops lavender

• 4 drops chamomile

• 4 drops sandalwood

Energizing Morning Blend

• 6 drops grapefruit

• 5 drops peppermint

• 5 drops rosemary

Warm Autumn Blend

• 6 drops sweet orange

• 4 drops cinnamon leaf

• 6 drops cedarwood

How to Make Aromatherapy Candles with Essential Oils

Ingredients:

• Soy or coconut wax

• Wick (cotton or wood, depending on container size)

• Heatproof container (glass or tin)

• Essential oils of your choice

• Pouring pitcher or double boiler

• Thermometer

• Stirring stick

Steps:

1. Measure wax and melt it using a double boiler.

2. Secure wick to the container bottom using glue or wick stickers.

3. Once wax is fully melted, cool to 60–65°C.

4. Add essential oils and stir thoroughly.

5. Pour wax into the container and center the wick.

6. Let the candle cure for at least 48 hours before lighting.

7. Trim wick to 5 mm before each burn.

Tips for Better Scent Throw

• Use wider containers for a larger melt pool, which releases more scent

• Allow proper curing time before lighting (at least 48 hours)

• Consider blending essential oils with a natural fixative oil like benzoin or myrrh

• Test different wick types and sizes for optimal burn rate and even melting

• Avoid drafts and fans that can interfere with scent diffusion

Safety Guidelines

• Do not use more than 10% essential oil relative to wax weight

• Avoid “hot” oils (like clove or cinnamon) in high concentrations

• Keep candles away from pets, children, and flammable materials

• Use heat-safe containers designed for candle use

• Always test small batches before scaling production or gifting

Conclusion

Candle making with essential oils is a beautiful fusion of creativity, wellness, and craft. With the right oils, wax, and technique, you can create natural, aromatic candles that transform your home and support your mood. Whether you're making candles for relaxation, focus, or simply ambiance, essential oils allow you to keep things clean, natural, and deeply personal.

Once you get the hang of it, experimenting with blends and containers becomes an enjoyable, almost meditative part of your lifestyle. Start small, test your combinations, and let your senses guide you.