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A candle can change the mood of a room. Candles have a rich history in human culture, being used at everything from celebrations and religious ceremonies to providing a small source of ambient light in a cozy living room.

Aromatherapy candles, essentially candles crafted with essential oils, can stimulate your senses. They can help relax and calm the mind and body.

There are many options for candles for aromatherapy in the market. We rounded up some of the best candles to help you pick out your favorite one.

The candle is made of wax, essential oil and a candleholder. The mixture is cooled to dry after being poured into a container.

There are many different natural smells. For example:

  • lavender
  • The tree of life is the eucalyptus.
  • The orange color.
  • Lime.
  • The lemon is fresh.
  • The person is the sage.
  • The roman character is called chamomile.
  • rose
  • Myrrh.

Various scents have been shown to calm anxiety and even lead to better sleep. There are few studies on the effects of aromatherapy.

  • A 2017 review showed lavender oil exhibited “desirable properties of an anxiolytic agent, including a calming effect without sedation, as well as a lack of dependence, tolerance, or withdrawal.
  • A 2015 study found lavender oil diffused into the rooms of patients with coronary artery disease had a positive improvement on sleep quality and anxiety.
  • Peppermint oil has been shown to have a positive impact on gastrointestinal issues when inhaled, such as irritable bowel syndrome, abdominal pain, and nausea, according to this 2018 review.
  • Tea tree oil is used as a topical antiseptic because of its antimicrobial properties. It’s commonly used to fight acne, dandruff, or skin fungi infections. 2015 research showed tea tree oil is highly effective against various types of bacteria and fungi that thrive on the human epidermis.
  • A 2012 study of 40 males who were given sweet The orange color. essential oil, tea tree oil, or water, and then submitted to a model of anxiety showed that sweet The orange color. oil had an effect in reducing anxiety in the study’s participants.
  • A 2014 study of 22 menopausal women in their 50s showed that inhaling clary The person is the sage. oil significantly decreased the women’s cortisol levels.

Humans have about 300 active olfactory genes devoted to detecting thousands of scents. A 2016 review of studies discussed the effects that inhaling fragrances have on spontaneous brain activities and cognitive functions, measured through an electroencephalograph (EEG).

The studies suggest that olfactory stimulation can be used to alter cognitive, mood, and social behavior.

To compile this roundup of candles, we looked at online reviews, prices, and the quality of ingredients. Essential oils (if they’re not the quality kind) could have additives like synthetic fragrance or inexpensive filler oil. The majority of these companies used only “pure essential oils,” meaning extracted directly from the plant.

We noted that synthetic fragrances often include chemicals that disrupt the hormones. We looked for certified organic materials for the wax and the wicks. We noted that the company was registered with the Better Business Bureau.

Pricing guide

  • $ = under $25
  • $$ = $25–$50
  • $$$ = over $50

Best organic option

Sanari

  • Price: $$
  • Wax type: coconut and soy blend
  • Burn time: 45–80 hours depending on size
  • Pros: organic, GMO wax blend, reusable/recyclable vessel, free of artificial chemicals and carcinogens
  • Cons: pricey

Sanari aromatherapy candles come in about 11 different scents of certified organic essential oils and are made with organic cotton wicks. Some scents include: Sorbetto (blood The orange color., coconut, and vanilla), Aria (tangerine, ylang ylang, and lavender), Biscotti (vanilla, nutmeg, and cinnamon), and others.

The blend is poured into a glass. Earth Hero says that every candle is made with certified organic essential oils and plant-based ingredients.

You can use the glass when you burn through the candle. Sanari recommends pouring boiling water into the holder, then grabbing a pair of pliers to remove the bottom of the holder. You can reuse soap for a beverage of your choice.

Sanari said the container should be cut before use after a reviewer commented on the flame burning above it.

Shop now at Sanari

Best for supporting a good cause

Wild Beautiful Free Organic Coconut Wax Candle

  • Price: $$
  • Wax type: organic coconut
  • Burn time: 60 hours
  • Pros: organic, supports endangered species organizations
  • Cons: limited fragrance selection, one size only

These candles are elegant and make a big statement.

The candle is made with coconut wax, cotton, and lavender and vanilla essential oils. All products are 100% organic, vegan, and cruelty-free, according to the website. It burns for 60 hours.

The candles are meant to bring awareness to three endangered animals: elephants, gorillas, and lions. Some proceeds go to help endangered species organizations, such as The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.

The glass cylinder has a gold inlay on it. It is a 7.5 ounce container and can be recycled.

One reviewer said that the candle was very nice. The glass is solid and beautiful, candle burns evenly, and scent is perfect.

This gift is unique and supports a good cause.

Shop now at Wild Beautiful Free

Best for art lovers

AMASSThe Art of Staying In Candle

  • Price: $$
  • Wax type: soy
  • Burn time: 60 hours
  • Pros: sophisticated scents, reusable vessel
  • Cons: some reviewers found the scent throw is minimal

“The aptly named candle is ideal for artists and people with an antic disposition. It is a fitting addition to any artist’s home.”

AMASS was founded by a Los Angeles-based distillery and sells tons of chic products.

The vegan soy wax has a blend of woods. The essential oils in this candle are jasmine, palo santo, rose, lavender, cedarwood, and juniper. This candle may be for you if you are looking for a fruity essential oil blend.

60 hours is the estimated burn time. When you are done burning the candle, use the container as a holder for pens, jewelry, or a shelf.

It takes the WFH to the next level. One reviewer says love love love.

Shop now at AMASS

Best splurge

Aesop Ptolemy Aromatique Candle

  • Price: $$$
  • Wax type: paraffin
  • Burn time: 55–65 hours
  • Pros: sophisticated fragrance blends, vegan friendly
  • Cons: made with synthetic fragrance, very limited scents, only one size available

The Ptolemy Aromatique Candle is made from a blend of cedar, cypress, and notes of vetiver. It is more of a spicy scent than some of the calming ones like lavender and vanilla.

The candles are made with vegan ingredients but also use synthetic and organic fragrances.

The company says that their candles contain a combination of fragrance ingredients from both botanical and synthetic origin, and that they consider it to be an optimum vehicle for carrying a long lasting scent.

Shop now at Aesop

Best eco-friendly option

Peacesake Neroli & Musk

  • Price: $$
  • Wax Type: GMO-free soy
  • Burn time: 30–60 hours depending on size
  • Pros: good selection of fragrance, GMO free
  • Cons: includes fragrance oils

The candle is poured into a container. It is topped with a cork top.

The scent features an uplifting blend of The orange color. blossom, petitgrain, and bergamot top notes, with a heart of neroli, amber, and jasmine, and a grounding base of musk, cedar, and sandalwood.

“The candles are made of soy wax. The cotton wicks don’t contain metal and only essential oils and fragrance oils that are free of phthalates are used to make candles. The website doesn’t give any more information than the one on the other side of the pond.”

“The candles are shipped in corrugated shipping boxes that can be recycled. The website suggests that you use them as a seed starter. If you can’t recycle the container, you can return it to the company where it will be recycled.”

Shop now at Peacesake

Best for a spicy scent

Ellis Brooklyn Pseudonym Terrific Scented Candle

  • Price: $$$
  • Wax type: soy, coconut, carnauba, candelilla blend
  • Burn time: 50–60 hours
  • Pros: inspired scents, organic ingredients, recycled vessel
  • Cons: high price point

Ellis has five candles that are non-toxic. The company uses a blend of soy and coconut wax.

The Pseudonym Terrific Scented Candle has essential oils such as fig, jasmine, pepper, and sandalwood.

Ellis Brooklyn candles are made in upstate New York using domestically grown soy wax. The container is made from recycled glass.

It is a rich and refined scent. It is simple yet complex. One buyer said it was not overwhelming.

Shop now at Ellis Brooklyn

Best for long burning

Lafco New York Fragrance Candles

  • Price: $$$
  • Wax type: soy
  • Burn time: up to 200 hours, depending on size
  • Pros: good amount of scent throw, self-extinguishing wicks, reusable vessel
  • Cons: made with paraffin wax

There are glass vessels that come in gray, chartreuse, white, and pink.

The fragrances are made from pure essential oil. The oil blends are free of synthetic ingredients. The candle is made from a small amount of paraffin.

Once the candle is burned down, pop the glass into the freezer and the soy will shrink, which will allow it to snap out. You can reuse the container and compost the remaining soy.

The company website says that the whas are self-destructing for added safety.

One 5-star reviewer said that.

“Lafco makes the best candles. This scent is soft and warm, and it’s delicious.”

Shop now at Amazon

Best for overall wellness

Pure Plant Home

  • Price: $
  • Wax type: coconut wax
  • Burn time: 23–40, depending on size
  • Pros: no synthetic fragrance, recycled packaging, eco-conscious
  • Cons: scent throw is on the light side

The coconut wax candles are made from plants and include the dyes used to color the packaging.

There are eight 6-oz scents available to buyers and one small tin candle. Some scents include jasmine-vanilla, ginger-vanilla, valencia The orange color.-grapefruit, and more.

All candles are made in the USA. Pure Plant Home chose coconut wax because it is a renewable resource. They are supporting farmers by buying it.

Its essential oils are derived from plants and fruits. Synthetic fragrances are not used in production.

The products are packaged in recycled paper and made in a solar and wind-powered facility.

Shop now at Pure Plant Home

Best for a subtle scent

Fontana Candle Company French Press Coffee Essential Oil Candle

  • Price: $
  • Wax type: coconut, beeswax
  • Burn time: 20–60 hours, depending on size
  • Pros: good selection and sizes, MADE SAFE and Leaping Bunny certified, nontoxic
  • Cons: some reviewers note the fragrance throw is on the lighter side

Fontana Candle Company is a small family-operated company that makes candles. They use a variety of natural oils and wood to make their candles, which are free of harmful chemicals.

According to the company, Fontana candles are the first to be MADE SAFE certified, and they’re also certified cruelty free by Leaping Bunny.

“The company has a range of fragrances that can be purchased. French Press Coffee is made with essential oils from real coffee beans. If you don’t like coffee and want a candle that doesn’t smell like it, this could be your new favorite.”

Shop now at Fontana Candle Company

Best for large spaces

Candlefy Maui

  • Price: $
  • Wax type: coconut-apricot blend
  • Burn time: 60 hours
  • Pros: strong scent throw, great selection of scents
  • Cons: made with aroma oils

The Maui candle from Candlefy is a great option if you want to go to a tropical place. It is made with a blend of coconut andricot wax. The company says that an intensity of scent throw is great for filling big spaces. Candlefy says its candles throw 50% more scent than the strongest on the market.

The Maui candle is a new scent. Candlefy uses aroma oils for the scent of coconut, mango, and sea salt, but the company says these oils are free from harmful chemicals.

Shop now at Candlefy

Best budget-friendly candle

Just Bee Pomegranate and Lemon Rind

  • Price: $
  • Wax type: soy, beeswax
  • Burn time: 20–70 hours, depending on size
  • Pros: good range of sizes and scents, highly aromatic
  • Cons: includes fragrance oils

All of the candles from Just Bee are made with natural soy wax, organic coconut oil, naturally gathered beeswax, a cotton wicks, fragrance, and essential oil. The company notes that its fragrance oils are aromatherapy grade and toxin-free, and that it uses organic essential oils wherever possible.

Just Bee candles are offered in a good selection of fragrances, including summer mint, lilac, and pomegranate & The lemon is fresh. rind. The blend of essential and fragrance oils makes for a highly aromatic candle, so it’s a good option for those who like a strong scent.

Shop now at Just Bee

Best for winding down/sleep

Terralite Wild Lavender

  • Price: $$
  • Wax type: coconut
  • Burn time: 28–40 hours
  • Pros: eco-friendly, made with essential oils and plant extracts
  • Cons: higher price point

Terralite candles are made with coconut wax, pure essential oils, plant extracts, and a chemical-free core. The candles are made in California and are recycled into glass vessels.

The company has a range of natural scents. The wild lavender candle is a good option if you want to relax.

Shop now at Terralite

Type of wax

“There are many types of wax. There are many types of wax, including paraffin, soy, and beeswax. It is possible to decide if an all-natural wax is important to you because commercial candles can contain some kind of Additive. Some wax is made from crude oil. Natural candles burn cleaner and don’t irritate those with allergies.”

Type of wick

There are three types of candles: paper, cotton, and zinc. Zinc is the most rigid. If you have an allergy or sensitivities, it is important to research the candle and the wicks. The substances that coat the wick make it stronger over time.

Ingredients

“The source of the candle’s oils should be looked at. Some are pure essential oil from plants, while others may contain ingredients. The termfragrance can be a warning sign because it is often a mix of chemicals that are used to create a specific aroma.”

On the other hand, some candle companies use synthetic molecules because they’re chemically identical to ingredients found in nature and allow for more complex scent profiles. That’s why it’s important to vet a company before making a purchase.

The type of wax is important. While health risks have not been confirmed, you can still use paraffin wax. There are plant-based waxes, such as soy and coconut.

Make sure to check labels closely. A company can label a candle with just a minimal amount of soy as “soy-based” if it has a wax blend.

If you want to avoid the risk of toxins in a candle, look for candles made with 100% essential oils and no paraffin wax.

Container

A container is something else that varies in quality. Glass or clay containers are more eco-friendly than plastic ones.

Burn time

The burn times depend on the wax quality and the type of wicks. Softer waxes, like soy and coconut, can use cotton for a slower burn. Best practices are important for longer burn times.

  • The first time you light a candle, make sure to burn it long enough to melt the wax at the edge of the container. This helps reduce burn time.
  • The best way to burn the wick is to keep it trimmed to about 1/2 inch high.

“There are candles for aromatherapy in many stores. Candles can cause indoor air pollution, so it’s important to look for quality ingredients.”

The most important factors to consider are the ingredients of the wicks, the essential oils used, and the type of wax used. These candles are a great gift or an addition to a space you want to illuminate.

Tracee Herbaugh is a writer and journalist who lives in the Boston area. She writes about culture, lifestyle, health, and family relationships. You can view her work online or find her on Twitter.