When we talk about essential oils, we picture a natural, pure product that is often associated with well-being. But be careful: essential oils have specific properties you may not be aware of. Using essential oils in candles sounds appealing, but unfortunately it is both dangerous and unsuitable.
They can contain CMR substances, even though they are natural products. For safe alternatives that are made for crafting, discover our selection of fragrances crafted in Grasse.
The presence of CMR substances
We have already explained the differences between natural and synthetic fragrances in a previous article.
Although essential oils are often seen as safer alternatives to synthetic products, it is worth remembering that natural does not necessarily mean safe. Some essential oils naturally contain so-called CMR substances (carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic), and the risk is even greater when they are heated to a high temperature, as happens in a candle: the heat releases more of them into the air.
Oils such as cinnamon, clove or lavender, for example, can release potentially toxic compounds, even if only in small proportions. You may have thought you were choosing a natural, harmless product, but a natural product is not always a safe one.
Now that you know some of the lesser-known properties of essential oils, here is why you should not use them in your candles.
A fleeting scent throw
With essential oils, the scent can be inconsistent. These oils are designed to be diffused cold or at low temperatures. When heated by a candle flame, their chemical composition can break down, which reduces the strength of the fragrance.
Picture it: you light your candle looking forward to a pleasant scent throw, and after just a few minutes the fragrance has already vanished... That can be frustrating, especially if you chose high-quality, and therefore expensive, oils for this project.
A risk factor: the flash point
Essential oils may seem harmless, but that does not mean they are risk-free.
In reality, their flash point (the temperature at which they become flammable) is often low. Using essential oils in candles can increase the risk of accidents, including a risk of ignition if they are incorrectly dosed or if the burning temperature gets too high.
A scented candle should be a pleasure, not a hazard, and essential oils can introduce a risk that you might not always suspect.
A composition problem
With essential oils, the scent usually evaporates quickly under heat, so you have to keep adding more, with no guarantee of a consistent scent throw. Heat can also alter the chemical composition of certain oils, turning a soft fragrance into an acrid, unpleasant smell, a far cry from the relaxing experience you were hoping for.
The biggest drawback is that essential oils do not always blend well with waxes such as soy wax or beeswax. The result is an uneven distribution of the fragrance, or even candles that barely smell of anything once lit. This can also affect the texture and burn of the candle, compromising both its performance and its appearance.
Our alternatives to essential oils for your candles
As you will have gathered, essential oils are not suited to wax creations, not to mention their cost, which can climb quickly: to get a fragrance that comes through strongly enough, you need to use a large quantity.
Fortunately, there are safer alternatives for scenting your candles while still enjoying a pleasant olfactory experience. Our French fragrances from Grasse, specially designed for candles, are formulated to withstand heat without breaking down or losing their scent. Although some of these alternatives may be of synthetic and/or natural origin, they have the advantage of being tested for safety, performance and an outstanding scent throw. What's more, you enjoy scents formulated by renowned perfumers in Grasse, the French town known as the world capital of perfumery.
Conclusion
In short, although essential oils look like a natural and beneficial option, they turn out to be poorly suited to candle making, in terms of both safety and scent performance.
Fortunately, there are safer and more effective ways to scent your candles, without compromising your health or the pleasure of a long-lasting fragrance. Choose fragrances specially designed for candles to bring together safety, performance and sensory pleasure.
Even though you may run into a few difficulties when you first start using them, fragrances promise outstanding results for your DIY creations.
