by Jane |
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Candles aren’t just for lighting up dark places or scenting a room. There are special candles that you can make for a massage session at home.
While the composition is different from regular candles, they are fairly easy to make, and you can be sure the ingredients are beneficial.
What Is A Massage Candle?
A massage candle is a candle used especially for massage therapy. Made from a combination of body butters, moisturizing oils, and essential oils, it has a low melting point so that the melted wax can be applied directly to your skin.
The resulting massage is one that is warm, fragrant, nourishing, and relaxing.
How To Make Massage Candles With Essential Oils
Materials
- 3 ounces soy wax flakes
- 3 ounces shea butter
- 3 ounces deodorized cocoa butter
- 1/4 teaspoon High IU Vitamin E Oil (or a Vitamin E capsule)
- 3 ounces of a light oil like sweet almond, avocado, sunflower, or jojoba
- 30 drops of your choice of essential oil
- cotton candle wicks
- 4 ounces tin can or candle jar
- digital thermometer
- double boiler (optional)
Procedure
- Before starting, affix your candle wick to the bottom of your jar. You can use a bit of melted wax or double sided tape to the metal base of the wick to secure it to the bottom of the jar. Keep the wicks centered with any of the following: chopsticks, a pencil and a bit of tape, or a clothespin.
- Next, melt your soy flakes and butters in your double boiler.
- Add your light oil to the melted soy wax. Stir and remove from heat.
- Cool the melted wax to 130°F and then stir in your essential oils and Vitamin E. These will keep the oils from burning off.
- Carefully pour into your containers.
- When your candle cools down and hardens, trim the wick and you’re done!
Video
Here is a good reference video of the whole process. Instead of a double boiler, Anne Marie uses her microwave instead.
How To Use
- Light the candle and wait till you have a small pool of melted wax. This should take around 5 to 10 minutes.
- Blow out the flame and pour a small amount into your hand. Unlike regular paraffin wax, it won’t burn your skin. Alternatively, you can use a small plastic spoon to scoop out some melted wax.
- Immediately massage the melted candle wax into skin.
- After use, put the lid back on your container to keep dust and dirt away. While it can keep for up to 2 years in optimal conditions, it is best if you use it in the next few weeks or months.
If you’re wondering how this candle wax is used as a massage oil, watch this very short video.
Essential Oil Blends To Use For Your Massage Candle
We all have different preferences when it comes to scents. Here are some suggestions for whatever your mood or whatever the occasion. Remember that you can use up to 30 drops for this recipe. Distribute the ratio if you are using more than one EO.
Citrus: bergamot, grapefuit, lemon, and orange
Floral Citrus: jasmine, ylang-ylang
Menthol: peppermint, bergamot
Light Floral: rose geranium, palmarosa
Spicy: sandalwood, patchouli, orange
Sensual: black pepper, ylang-ylang, jasmine
Have fun experimenting with the scents you use for your recipe!
Pro Tips
To make your first time a sure success, read these reminders and tips.
- Waiting till your melted wax has cooled down a bit ensures your essential oil won’t burn off and be rendered useless. Some beginner candle-makers complain that they can’t smell their EO. This is most likely because they added the essential oil while the melted wax was too hot. Each essential oil has its flash point. Flash point refers to the temperature at which the oil burns off. It’s ideal for you to know the flash point of the EO you are using. You can get this info HERE.
- You can rustle up a makeshift double boiler by placing a stainless steel bowl or a thick glass bowl over a pot filled with water.
- Don’t add coloring to your massage candles. Not only will it be weird when you apply it to your skin, scents and fragrances usually have toxic substances so it’s better to stay clear of them.
- Cocoa butter smells like chocolate. Unless you want your massage candle to smell like chocolate, use deodorized cocoa butter so you can avoid the chocolate smell.
- High IU Vitamin oil, apart from being a great antioxidant, extends the shelf life of your candles. Make sure to add it to your recipe especially if you are making a big batch.
- Plant oils such as shea butter, avocado, sunflower, jojoba, and almond oils have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects on the skin. Adding them to your recipe will help nourish your skin even more.
- Choose the right wick for your candle. Check out our wick chart.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the questions often asked about massage candles.
Can any soy candle be used for massage?
No, soy massage candles have more body butters and moisturizers than regular candles. All ingredients must be skin-safe since the melted wax will be applied directly to the body.
How do you use a lotion candle?
Light a lotion candle and wait for a small pool of wax to melt. Scoop out with a plastic spoon or dribble a small amount on your palm. Rub gently onto skin.
Is soy wax skin-safe?
Yes, soy wax is safe to use on skin. It is a natural moisturizer.
What does massage candle wax do to your skin?
Candle wax from massage candles will moisturize and nourish dry skin. It will also make your skin feel softer and smoother to the touch.
Can massage candles be used as scented candles?
No, massage candles are not suited as aromatherapy candles to scent a room. Scented candles use a higher amount of essential oils compared to massage candles. You’ll also be wasting the body butter and moisturizing oils present in the massage candles if you use them as scented candles only.
Can you make candles out of shea butter?
Yes, shea butter is a great ingredient for massage candles. It melts at body temperature and is very easy to spread onto skin. It also has a host of health benefits.
Author: Jane Neu
Jane is the creator of Complete Home Spa – “It’s a good idea,” she said. But even she has been taken aback by its success. She lives with a cranky Englishman in a quiet countryside retreat. And in the past year, has become mom cat to a spunky rescue named Mina. Connect with her on Twitter @completehomespa.