Easy Homemade Lavender Candles for Stress Relief and Relaxation

Making your candles right at home is easier than ever. I’ve been making my own homemade lavender candles for as long as I can remember. Aside from being more affordable, they’re also much healthier for me and my family, so it’s a no-brainer, really.

Soy Wax vs. Paraffin Wax – What’s the Difference?

Paraffin wax is the most common type of wax used in most decorative and scented candles, but it can cause poisoning when the smoke and fumes are inhaled. (1) Also, while it’s classified as non-toxic, it has carcinogenic properties. (2) So if you’re like me and you almost always have a candle burning in your house, you can see how paraffin wax candles can be problematic.

For this candle recipe, we’ll be using soy wax instead of paraffin wax. If you’re not familiar, soy wax is an all-natural wax made from soybeans. Compared to paraffin wax, soy wax is softer and has a lower melting temperature.

It can be found in pellet or block form in many specialty candle and home fragrance stores. However, make sure to check the label to ensure that you’re getting pure soy wax. Some are sold as soy wax but are actually blends of soy wax and either paraffin, beeswax, or similar, so you may not get the same effect as pure soy wax.

Add Lavender for Stress Relief

To add fragrance to your candle, we’ll be using lavender essential oil drops and dried lavender flowers. The floral scent is mild and calming, and it is quite popular as a versatile fragrance to have around the house.

Lavender is said to have a variety of curative and therapeutic properties ranging from treating insect bites to inducing relaxation. While some of the evidence pointing to these claims is still purely anecdotal, several studies point to lavender’s potent anti-anxiety properties and its ability to help mitigate stress and aid in the management of anxiety disorders. (3)

In one study that focused on the olfactory impact of lavender essential oil, results showed that the odor of lavender had a positive effect on mood and an overall improvement in the emotional state of the study participants.

If you’re looking for a candle that will reduce your stress and promote relaxation in your home, lavender is a must-try. Personally, it’s one of my favorites and so I almost always have one on hand.

Why Can’t I Just Use Paraffin Wax for Candle-Making?

You might be wondering if there are any other benefits to using soy wax over the more popular paraffin wax, and the answer is yes!

Soy wax is made from soybeans, so they’re completely natural. Paraffin wax is made from petroleum and when burned, creates toxic fumes such as benzene and toluene–both known carcinogens.

If you were to burn just one paraffin wax candle per day in your home, imagine how much fumes you would be inhaling and exposing yourself to over time. Soy candles are much safer for you, your family, and your pets, so it’s definitely worth considering in the long-term.

My Candle Isn’t Burning As Fast as My Other Candles. Is This Normal?

Yes, it’s perfectly normal. In fact, your soy wax candles will last much longer than your paraffin wax candles–up to twice as long!

If you’re the type to leave your candles burning all night, then you’ve probably noticed that you go through quite a lot of them in just a couple of weeks. I was the same way until I realized how much I was actually spending on candles.

To avoid having to replenish your candles so often, you’re better off with a type of wax that burns longer, and soy wax is exactly that. Also, it doesn’t leave as much residue or soot on your containers and walls, so there’s less clean-up involved if you reuse your jars.

The Scent from My Soy Candle is Very Strong

The scent from soy candles can seem heavier than the scent from paraffin wax candles for different reasons. For one, the melting point of soy wax is lower than paraffin wax, so there might be a larger pool of liquid wax around the wick than usual. This releases more essential oils into the air, creating a heavier scent.

If you prefer a milder scent, we recommend only burning one wick at a time. This applies to candles with more than one wick. Also, once you have reached the desired level of fragrance, you can simply extinguish the flame and allow the residual heat to continue releasing the scent at a slower rate.

If the scent is still too heavy for your liking, you can simply reduce the number of lavender drops in this recipe.

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