A good aromatherapy candle does two things at once: it fills a room with a natural scent, and its soft light sets a calm mood. Both matter, and the second is easy to underrate.
What sets an aromatherapy candle apart from an ordinary scented one is what goes into it. The best are made with natural waxes — soy or beeswax rather than paraffin — and scented with genuine essential oils rather than synthetic fragrance. The result is a cleaner burn and a truer, softer scent.
Choosing well
Look for a natural wax, essential-oil scent, and a cotton wick. Lavender, bergamot, sweet orange and sandalwood are all comforting choices for a living space; brighter oils like lemon or eucalyptus suit a kitchen or a workroom. Trust your nose — the scent you actually enjoy is the one that will do you good.
Burning it safely
- Trim the wick to about a quarter-inch before each burn for a clean, even flame.
- On the first burn, let the wax melt right to the edges — it sets the pattern for every burn after.
- Keep candles away from draughts, curtains and anything that can catch.
- Never leave a burning candle unattended, and keep them out of reach of children and pets.
Candle or diffuser?
A candle gives you light and scent together and asks nothing but a match. A diffuser gives you scent without a flame and lets you change the blend at will. Many people keep both — a candle for the evening, a diffuser for the working day.