Are aromatherapy candles safe?

Rather than classifying aromatherapy candles as either “safe” or “unsafe,” taking a look at their potential risks provides a more complete picture of their relative safety. To start with, these are candles we’re talking about, so there’s always the risk of unintentionally starting a fire when you light a candle. It’s also important to keep in mind that people react to fragrance and aromatherapy in different ways. Some of the risks of aromatherapy can include headaches, nausea, allergies, hay fever, asthma, eye irritation, irritation of the skin or mucous membranes in the nose, and skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Aromatherapy could also affect the air quality indoors—similar to air fresheners, scented candles, and incense—which could make existing respiratory conditions worse. Essential oils should never be ingested and could cause poisoning.

How do you make DIY aromatherapy candles?

Making your own aromatherapy candles is a relatively easy way not only to customize a candle based on your preferred scent profile but also to save money in the process. You can either buy all the candle ingredients separately or as part of a kit. Either way, the process involves melting your chosen type of wax flakes with the essential oils you picked to create the candle’s fragrance. As a general guide, it's recommended to use 10 to 20 drops of essential oil for a 16-ounce candle.

Are aromatherapy candles safe for pets?

Although there’s no definitive guidance on aromatherapy candles and pets, the same ideas about the safety of the candle’s ingredients that apply to humans should be considered with pets, too. “Aromatherapy candles are generally safe to use around dogs and cats,” Sara Ochoa, DVM, a veterinarian and consultant for DogLab says. “When looking for candles, look for ones with beeswax, coconut wax, or soy wax as they are much safer. When looking for a scent use ones with essential oils as these are more pet-safe than other ingredients.”

Are aromatherapy candles safe to light while pregnant?

It is common for pregnant people to report having heightened sensitivity to scents, so they may want to avoid aromatherapy candles for that reason. There is very little research on the safety of aromatherapy on pregnant people in general, let alone any specific to candles. One of the few studies that exist was published in the Iranian Crescent Medical Journal in 2014. It found that aromatherapy involving a lemon scent may help reduce nausea and vomiting—although again, this finding isn’t specific to candles.

The 12 Best Aromatherapy Candles of 2021

Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Craft & Kin Fresh Linen Candle at Amazon

Made with soy wax and essential oils, it burns cleanly for hours and fills your home with the right amount of scent.

Best Budget:

Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Scented Soy Aromatherapy Candle at Amazon

Made with cruelty-free, renewable ingredients like soy wax, vegetable wax, and cotton wicks, these candles are offered in signature scents.

Best Splurge:

L'or de Seraphine Whitby Candle at Amazon

The ceramic container makes for a miniature piece of art, while the candle itself gives off soothing and uplifting vibes.

Best Scent:

Anecdote Candles Comfort Zone at Anecdotecandles.com

It's the epitome of serenity with notes of cedarwood, coffee, orange blossom, vanilla, and patchouli.

Best for Smaller Rooms:

Wild Beautiful Free Peace Gorilla Luxury Candle at Amazon

Limited square footage calls for a slightly subtler candle, such as this lavender and vanilla blend.

Best for Larger Rooms:

Klayre Essence Sandalwood Rose Scented Soy Candle at Amazon

Premium fragrances are artfully blended to create its perfectly balanced sandalwood rose scent.

Best With Botanicals:

New Moon Beginnings Peaceful Home Candle at Amazon

This candle brings a sense of magic and positive energy into your sacred personal space.

Best Small Batch:

Way Out West Aromatherapy Scented Candles at Amazon

Fills your home with clean and soothing fragrances that linger well after you’ve blown the candle out.

Best Gift Set:

Wax and Oils Soy Wax Aromatherapy Scented Candles at Amazon

This customizable set lets you match three scents in one recyclable box.

Best Natural:

Madge Botanical Garden Candle at Amazon

Offers up to 68 hours of burn time with a relaxing and invigorating scent to bring calm and productivity.

In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look For
Why Trust Verywell Mind

Aromatherapy candles have a special way of transforming the space in which we live—and it’s not all in our heads. Although more research is needed, some studies suggest that aromatherapy, the use of natural plant extracts to promote health and well-being, can be an effective way to alleviate symptoms of depression, improve sleep quality, and reduce overall stress levels.

“Aromatherapy employs the use of essential oils, which are compounds extracted from different parts of the plant to mitigate various psychiatric conditions," says Rashmi Parmar, M.D., a psychiatrist with Community Psychiatry + MindPath Care Centers. "The oils can be used alone or blended together to produce different aromas and effects."

Each plant impacts the human body and its senses in different ways, but the right combinations of ingredients can provide true relief for those in need of relaxation and self-care. So, if you're experiencing stress or looking for a way to bring a sense of calm into your home, an aromatherapy candle may be a good choice.

Here are the best aromatherapy candles on the market.

Pros

100 percent soy wax with cotton wick
Attractive packaging
Clean burn

Cons

Some may find scent weak

Craft & Kin creates 100 percent natural, hand-poured aromatherapy candles exclusively in the United States. Made with soy wax, a cotton wick, and essential oils, the candles burn cleanly for hours, filling your home with just the right amount of scent. They come in decorative amber-gold glasses that add a nice touch to any home decor.

We are partial to the fresh linen scent, which gives off a clean laundry aroma, but you can’t go wrong with any of them.

Scent: Fresh linen | Burn Time: 45 hours | Size: 7.6 ounces

Pros

Strong scent
Widely available
Made of soy and vegetable wax

Cons

Fragrance may be overpowering
Short wick limits burn time

This popular cleaning product manufacturer offers candles in its signature scents. The candles are made with renewable ingredients like soy wax, vegetable wax, and cotton wicks. Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day does not use essential oils in its products, but it does use synthetic fragrances that are compliant with guidelines from the International Fragrance Association and the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials.

With a 35-hour burn time, these cruelty-free candles make for a nice addition to your home and leave you with a handy reusable glass jar.

Scent: Lavender | Burn Time: 35 hours | Size: 7.2 ounces

What Our Editors Say

"My house smells like a relaxing spa whenever I light a Mrs. Meyer's candle. My favorite scent is lavender, which carries well throughout our small home. And the glass jars really do make great containers—I often use them for yogurt or other small, single-serving food storage." — Ashleigh Morley, Editorial Director, Health Commerce

Pros

Fragrance crafted to calm
Decorative jar

Cons

Expensive
Fragrance isn’t unique

If you want to go all out with your aromatherapy candle collection, check out these premium scented jar candles from L'or de Seraphine. The ceramic container makes for a miniature piece of art in your home, while the candle itself fills your space with just the right amount of scent.

The candle is made with a blend of sustainably sourced palm waxes, pure essential oils, and 100 percent organic cotton wicks. They are free of parabens and phthalates, and the largest candles have a burn time of 80 hours. Each one smells amazing, but we are partial to Fragrance No. 07—a soothing and uplifting blend of sea salt, violet, and vetiver.

Scent: Sea salt, violets, and vetiver | Burn Time: 80 hours | Size: 17 ounces

Pros

Coconut-soy wax blend
Clean burn and strong throw
Smaller, travel size available

Cons

Expensive
Some say it smells more floral than coffee-like

Add an extra dose of relaxation to your home with a candle from Anecdote. The Comfort Zone Candle is the epitome of serenity with notes of cedarwood, coffee, orange blossom, vanilla, and patchouli. Described on the jar as "smells like the joy of missing out," this candle is the perfect scent for those cozy nights indoors.

All of Anecdote's candles are made with a blend of coconut and soy waxes, and they are free of additives and preservatives. Available in a 7.8-ounce standard jar or 3.4-ounce travel-size tin, they come in size options best for your needs. And since they offer a wide variety of unique scents, they make the perfect gifts for your loved ones.

Scent: Coffee and cedarwood | Burn Time: 40 to 50 hours | Size: 7.8 or 3.4 ounces

Wild Beautiful Free Organic Aromatherapy Candle

Pros

Made from organic coconut wax
10 percent of profits go to animal sanctuaries

Cons

Gives off black smoke that can stain
Weak scent

Limited square footage calls for a slightly subtler candle, such as this lavender and vanilla blend from Wild Beautiful Free. Perfect for your bedside table or office space, the candle is made with organic coconut wax, an organic cotton wick, pure aromatherapy-grade lavender, and vanilla essential oils.

What’s more, it’s hand-poured into a beautiful 24-karat-gold, elephant-stamped glass that can be reused once the candle is gone. Made in the United States, this 7.5-ounce candle has a burn time of 60 hours.

Scent: Wildberry, cedarwood, cinnamon, and rose | Burn Time: 50 to 60 hours | Size: 7.5 ounces

Pros

Made from soy wax, using soybeans
Powerful scent throw

Cons

Fragrance can come across as artificial
Short wick can limit burn time

While this 8-ounce Klayre Essence candle isn’t the largest on our list, it easily and quickly fills your home with a relaxing aroma. Its natural soy wax base is made from American-grown soybeans, and it uses eco-friendly cotton for the wick to burn for 40 hours.

Better yet, premium fragrances are artfully blended to create a perfectly balanced sandalwood rose scent. Handmade in the United States, the candle is vegan and cruelty-free, and it’s made without parabens or phthalates.

Scent: Sandalwood rose | Burn Time: Not listed | Size: 8 ounces

New Moon Beginnings Peaceful Home Candle

Pros

Made with therapeutic-grade essential oils
Calming, peaceful scent

Cons

Burn time isn’t listed
Some may not like the crystals

If you are sensitive to the energy of your home, this New Moon Beginnings candle is the ideal pick for you. Made with natural eco-soy wax, therapeutic-grade essential oils, lead-free cotton wicks, homegrown organic herbs, and a careful curation of authentic crystals, this candle brings a sense of positive energy into your sacred personal space.

The rosemary, eucalyptus, and mint scent combination instantly creates a calming and stress-relieving atmosphere.

Scent: Eucalyptus, rosemary, and mint | Burn Time: Not listed | Size: 12 ounces

Way Out West Aromatherapy Scented Candles

Pros

Made from soy wax with a cotton wick
Good refund policy

Cons

Weak fragrance
Candle may produce black smoke

Way Out West Candles is a small-batch candlemaker that creates aromatherapy candles made with a natural soy wax blend, pure essential oils, and lead-free cotton wicks. Each 17-ounce jar provides 60 hours of burn time, filling your home with clean and soothing fragrances that linger well after you’ve blown out the candle. And each jar makes for a kitschy piece of home decor that can be repurposed after the life of the original candle.

While there is a wide assortment of scents to choose from, you can’t go wrong with the classic Fields of Lavender aroma.

Scent: Lavender | Burn Time: 60 hours | Size: 17 ounces

Wax and Oils Soy Wax Aromatherapy Scented Candles, Lavender, Vanilla & Peppermint Eucalyptus

Pros

Made using soy wax from NON-GMO grain
Packaging is 100 percent recyclable
Cotton wick

Cons

Short burn time for the size
Wick only burns down the center of the candle

Candles make excellent gifts for aromatherapy lovers, and this customizable set from Wax and Oils allows you to give three perfectly matched scents in one box. Each 8-ounce candle comes in a safe metal tin, and the candles themselves are made from non-GMO soy wax and pure cotton wicks.

The melting point of the wax ensures a clean, soot-free burn that lasts more than 20 hours per tin. We find the lavender, vanilla, and peppermint eucalyptus combination to be particularly soothing and a perfect gift.

Scent: Lavender, vanilla, peppermint eucalyptus, and more options (three separate candles) | Burn Time: 20 hours each | Size: 8 ounces each

Pros

Organic sox wax and essential oils
Visually appealing flowers
Slow burn up to 68 hours
Gift packaging included

Cons

Some may find scent weak

This 9-ounce candle may look small, but with a burn time of between 60 and 68 hours, it’s mighty (and also an excellent value). With a scent that’s simultaneously relaxing and invigorating, it’s great for lighting on weekend days when you want to be both calm and productive.

The candle features crystals and dried flowers that add a beautiful touch to its appearance.

Scent: Lavender, rosemary, sandalwood, and lemon | Burn Time: Up to 68 hours | Size: 9 ounces

What Experts Say

“On a broader scale, aromatherapy can be especially useful in helping a person feel grounded and support emotional regulation.” — Natalie Asayag, MSW, LCSW, a licensed clinical social worker with DiveThru

Pros

Jar is 100 percent recyclable
Self-trimming wick

Cons

Not all fragrance comes from natural essential oils
Fragrance doesn’t have a long throw

Though its official scent is “lavender thyme,” this candle also contains hints of bergamot, rosemary, eucalyptus, and orange blossom—all of which are included to help you drift off to sleep.

Unlike most candles, the wax on this one evaporates as it melts, instead of turning to liquid and pooling at the top of the candle.

Scent: Lavender thyme | Burn Time: Approximately 70 hours | Size: 12 ounces

Soul Vanilla Coconut Aromatherapy Candle

Pros

100 percent soy wax
Cotton wick

Cons

Only 10 percent of the fragrance is natural essential oils
Weaker scent

This candle comes in a tasteful, dark-colored jar that feels more like a piece of home decor than a candle; it's nice enough to repurpose as a pen or makeup brush holder after the candle burns out.

The fruity and floral fragrance is ideal for the living room, or perfect to light while taking a bath to help enhance the relaxing atmosphere. Plus, the blend of coconut and vanilla scents may help you feel like you're on vacation.

Scent: Vanilla coconut | Burn Time: 45 hours | Size: 7.8 ounces

Final Verdict

While every candle on this list is natural, clean, safe, and fragrant, Craft & Kin's Fresh Linen Candle (view at Amazon) wins when it comes to candle quality, overall aesthetic, and price point.

But if you’re on a tight budget and still want to enjoy the soothing benefits of a good aromatherapy candle, you can’t go wrong with one of Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day (view at Amazon) scents.

What to Look for in an Aromatherapy Candle

Scent

If you don't like the scent of the candle, you won't want to use it. So, finding an attractive scent that fits your preferences is essential. Natalie Asayag, MSW, LCSW, a licensed clinical social worker with DiveThru, also says you should focus on what you want to get out of the candle scent. “It’s important to read about each oil to learn about its specific benefits, as each one has various mental and physical benefits,” she says.

According to Rashmi Parmar, M.D., a psychiatrist with Community Psychiatry and MindPath Care Centers, different aromatherapy scents are thought to have specific benefits. Some of these include:

Rosemary: A calming candle scent.
Lavender: A relaxing candle scent that may help you drift off to sleep.
Peppermint: An uplifting, mood-boosting scent.
Citrus: Orange, grapefruit, and lemon are all uplifting scents.
Eucalyptus: “Has antibacterial and decongestant properties for which it is used to treat conditions like cold, cough, sore throat, and fever,” Parmar explains. “It is often used as an antiseptic in different products like air fresheners, toothpaste, lotions, etc.”
Bergamot: According to Dr. Parmar, this scent “Helps with anxiety, depression, fatigue, insomnia, and pain."

While different scents are known for having certain benefits or properties, not every lavender candle will smell the same, so Parmar says that finding the fragrance that is most helpful for you may be a process of trial and error. “You might need to experiment with a few aromatherapy scents to arrive at the one that suits you best,” she says.

Burn Time

If cost is important to you, buying a candle with a long burn time will prevent you from having to replace it often. While volume and size are also important, burn time is more indicative of overall value. There isn't a correlation between burn time and volume, so be sure to check the details of your candle before making your purchase.

Ingredients

When it comes to aromatherapy candles, the type of wax, wick, fragrance—and the ingredients used to make them—all matter. Look for phthalate-free candles that are derived from 100 percent essential oils. Candles made from paraffin, beeswax, and palm wax are all good options.

Paying attention to wick material is also important. While lead cores in candle wicks were a concern in the past, the Consumer Product Safety Commission banned the use of candles with lead-core wicks in 2003. Lead poisoning concerns are not an issue anymore, but you should look for wicks made entirely of cotton.

Finally, find out what kind of fragrances are used in the candle. Are they natural essential oils, artificial fragrances, or a combination of both? “When purchasing a candle, the buyer will want to be sure reputable oils were used in the making of the candle, as well as ensuring no harmful chemicals were used,” Asayag explains. “Unfortunately, it's common for many producers to utilize harmful filler products," she adds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are aromatherapy candles safe?

Rather than classifying aromatherapy candles as either “safe” or “unsafe,” taking a look at their potential risks provides a more complete picture of their relative safety. To start with, these are candles we’re talking about, so there’s always the risk of unintentionally starting a fire when you light a candle.
It’s also important to keep in mind that people react to fragrance and aromatherapy in different ways. Some of the risks of aromatherapy can include headaches, nausea, allergies, hay fever, asthma, eye irritation, irritation of the skin or mucous membranes in the nose, and skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
Aromatherapy could also affect the air quality indoors—similar to air fresheners, scented candles, and incense—which could make existing respiratory conditions worse. Essential oils should never be ingested and could cause poisoning.
How do you make DIY aromatherapy candles?

Making your own aromatherapy candles is a relatively easy way not only to customize a candle based on your preferred scent profile but also to save money in the process.
You can either buy all the candle ingredients separately or as part of a kit. Either way, the process involves melting your chosen type of wax flakes with the essential oils you picked to create the candle’s fragrance. As a general guide, it's recommended to use 10 to 20 drops of essential oil for a 16-ounce candle.
Are aromatherapy candles safe for pets?

Although there’s no definitive guidance on aromatherapy candles and pets, the same ideas about the safety of the candle’s ingredients that apply to humans should be considered with pets, too.
“Aromatherapy candles are generally safe to use around dogs and cats,” Sara Ochoa, DVM, a veterinarian and consultant for DogLab says. “When looking for candles, look for ones with beeswax, coconut wax, or soy wax as they are much safer. When looking for a scent use ones with essential oils as these are more pet-safe than other ingredients.”
Are aromatherapy candles safe to light while pregnant?

It is common for pregnant people to report having heightened sensitivity to scents, so they may want to avoid aromatherapy candles for that reason. There is very little research on the safety of aromatherapy on pregnant people in general, let alone any specific to candles.
One of the few studies that exist was published in the Iranian Crescent Medical Journal in 2014. It found that aromatherapy involving a lemon scent may help reduce nausea and vomiting—although again, this finding isn’t specific to candles.

Why Trust Verywell Mind

As a seasoned health writer, Alena Hall understands how important it is to know exactly what you’re getting in a wellness product. Over the years, she has reviewed dozens of products, from athletic recovery aids to homeopathic essential oils to ever-trendy CBD topicals, to help readers like you discover products that can help you live your best life.

Additional reporting by Elizabeth Yuko

As a seasoned health writer and editor with a special focus on mental health and well-being, Elizabeth Yuko understands how powerful stress-relieving activities can be for many people—as well as the fact that they’re not one-size-fits-all. With decades of first-hand experience dealing with anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder, she’s always on the lookout for new (and research-backed) products, techniques, and services that can help people cope with stress and other mental health challenges.

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