Aromatherapy candles sound like a clear promise. Light one, and something good happens. But the word on the label tells you less than you might think. On its own, it is not a test result. Here is what aromatherapy really means and what to look for. Then you can choose a scent you will enjoy on a dark autumn evening.
What aromatherapy candles actually are
The Aromatherapy Trade Council is a UK trade association for aromatherapy and essential oils. It calls aromatherapy a complementary well-being practice. It describes essential oils as concentrated plant extracts, which makers usually get by distilling or pressing plants.
So an aromatherapy candle, in theory, uses essential oils for its scent. In practice, the label alone will not tell you. A candle with this label might use essential oils. It might use fragrance oil, a blend made to smell a certain way. Or it might mix the two.
The council also says plainly that it does not certify products. So the word on a label is the maker's own description.
How can you tell what is in an aromatherapy candle?
Read the label. The council suggests checking for the botanical name, the Latin plant name, such as Lavandula angustifolia for lavender. A real oil should name its plant.
Aromatherapy candle scents and what to expect
People often link aromatherapy with herbal, floral or fresh scents. Think lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint and citrus.
The council says aromatherapists cannot diagnose or treat medical conditions. That is a useful line to remember. A candle can make a room feel calm and welcoming. It cannot fix a health problem, whatever the box says.
- Look for the botanical name of any oil
- Check the safety label on the base
- Treat health promises with care
- Choose a scent you simply like
Candles and fragrances you will enjoy
The best reason to light a candle is that you love how it smells. At Glow, we describe our candles by their scent notes, not by promises. Our advent calendar tealights are a good example. Festive Fir lists pine, eucalyptus, cedar and warm amber. Candy Cane lists peppermint, lemon, mandarin and soft woods. You know what you are getting before you light it.
Quick answers
Do aromatherapy candles use essential oils?
Some do, and some may not. The word on the box is the maker's own description. Check the label for the botanical name of each oil. If the label names none, the candle may use fragrance oil instead.
Can an aromatherapy candle help you relax?
Many people find a scented candle part of a calm evening routine. It can make a room feel cosy and welcoming. It is not a treatment, though, and it should never replace advice from a doctor.
If you like fresh, green scents with a festive twist, the Glow Collection advent calendar is an easy way to try them. It holds 24 tealights in 12 Christmas fragrances, one door for each December night.
Related reading
- Fragrance in Candles: Does More Oil Really Mean More Scent?: what the oil in your wax really does.
- Candle Scent Oil: What the Warning Label on Your Candle Means: how to read the small print on the base.
- Candle Perfume Notes Explained: Top, Heart and Base: the simple guide to how a scent unfolds.
