Learn how to make beeswax candles with essential oils and discover why homemade candles are a healthier alternative to many store-bought options.
Making candles at home is enjoyable and often healthier than using many commercial scented candles. Store-bought candles frequently use paraffin wax, which can release harmful chemicals when burned. Switching to beeswax candles scented with pure essential oils gives you a natural, cleaner-burning option that can still deliver rich, pleasant fragrances.
What You Need To Make Beeswax Candles With Essential Oils
Ingredients
- Beeswax pellets – white or yellow beeswax both work. White beeswax tends to have a milder scent.
- Coconut oil – unrefined or fractionated coconut oil helps the wax blend and improves burn quality.
- Essential oils – choose high-quality essential oils for better fragrance throw when the candle is burning.
Supplies
- Candle wicks – use wicks suited to beeswax blends that burn hot enough to release scent.
- Small glass jars or containers – choose straight-sided containers so the wax burns evenly.
- Hot glue gun – to secure the wicks to the jar bottoms.
- Scissors or wick trimmers – for trimming wicks to the proper length.
- Wick centering device or clothes pins – to keep the wick centered while the wax cools.
- Melting pot (optional) – useful for cleaner melting and pouring; a double boiler also works.
FAQ About Making Beeswax Candles With Essential Oils
Can you add essential oils to beeswax candles?
Yes. Essential oils smell strong in the bottle but dilute in wax, so you’ll need a generous amount to get a noticeable scent when burning.
Guideline: For every 4 ounces of wax, use at least 60 drops of essential oils. Some oils throw stronger scents than others, such as pine, rosemary, orange, cinnamon, clove, and eucalyptus.
Why put coconut oil in beeswax candles?
- Coconut oil helps candles burn more evenly and reduces tunneling.
- It can also help the essential oil scent diffuse better as the candle burns.
How much essential oil do you put in beeswax candles?
As a general rule, use at least 60 drops of essential oil per 4 ounces of wax. For a stronger scent, aim for about 2 teaspoons (approximately 8–10 mL) per 4 ounces of wax, keeping in mind cost and oil safety guidelines.
How do you make stronger scented beeswax candles?
1. Choose the right wax: Beeswax holds scent well and releases it slowly as it burns.
2. Use the right wick: Select a wick sized to your container that produces a hot, steady flame for better scent throw.
3. Use enough essential oils: Aim for about 2 teaspoons per 4 ounces of wax for a strong scent, or adjust to preference.
4. Add oils at the right temperature: Let melted wax cool to around 180°F (82°C) before stirring in essential oils to preserve their aroma.
Seasonal Essential Oil Blends for Beeswax Candles
Spring
eucalyptus + peppermint + rosemary
lemon + orange + spearmint
cedarwood + lavender + tangerine
grapefruit + pine + bergamot
Summer
lavender + lemon + grapefruit + peppermint
rosemary + peppermint + lime + lavender
lemon + basil + spearmint
orange + lemon + eucalyptus + peppermint
Fall
peppermint + eucalyptus + lavender + orange
nutmeg + cardamom + clove + ginger + pine + cinnamon
orange + lemon + cinnamon + clove
orange + juniper + cedarwood
Winter
rosemary + eucalyptus + orange + cinnamon + clove
clove + cinnamon + orange
orange + pine + cinnamon
pine + peppermint + grapefruit + cinnamon
How to Make Beeswax Candles With Essential Oils — Step-by-Step
Prep: Secure the wick to the center of each jar with a dab of hot glue.
Melt: Melt beeswax in a melting pot or double boiler over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until fully melted. Remove from heat and stir in coconut oil until smooth.
Add oils: Allow the wax to cool to about 180°F (use a candy thermometer). Stir in your chosen essential oils thoroughly.
Pour: Carefully pour the wax into jars, leaving roughly 1/2 inch of headspace at the top.
Cool: Center the wicks with centering devices or clothespins and let the candles harden completely. Trim wicks to 1/4 inch above the wax before lighting.
Tips
First burn: Burn the candle until the wax pool reaches the container edges to promote even burning and prevent tunneling.
Maintenance: Trim the wick to 1/4 inch before each use to reduce smoking and soot.
Storage: Keep unused candles covered or sealed to preserve essential oil fragrance.
Common Candle Making Issues and How to Avoid Them
1. Sinkholes
Wax shrinks as it cools; if you pour too-hot wax into containers, it can create sinkholes. Let the wax cool slightly (under 180°F) before pouring to reduce this risk.
2. Drowning Wick
A wick can become submerged if the container is too wide for a single wick, the container shape is not straight-sided, or the fill level is too high. Choose appropriate containers and wick sizes for the best results.
3. Tunneling
Tunneling occurs when a candle is not burned long enough for the wax to melt evenly. On the first burn, let the candle form a full melt pool across the surface.
4. Uneven or Pitted Top
Pouring wax that’s too cool or allowing water to get into the melt can cause small holes or an uneven top. Use a clean melting pot or double boiler and avoid splashing water into the wax.
More Handmade Ideas You Might Enjoy
If you enjoyed this tutorial, try other handmade projects such as whipped body lotion, honey oatmeal soap, DIY lip balm, or homemade face wash—great gifts and useful creations for your home.
If you make these beeswax candles with essential oils, consider leaving a rating or comment to share your results and help others.
Recipe For Beeswax Candles With Essential Oils
Homemade beeswax candles with essential oils make lovely gifts and natural additions to your home.
Ingredients
- 1 pound beeswax pellets
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 240 drops of essential oils (or about 8 teaspoons for a stronger scent)
Instructions
- Prep – Secure wicks to the center of each jar with hot glue.
- Melt – Melt beeswax in a melting pot or double boiler over medium-low heat, stirring until fully melted. Remove from heat and stir in coconut oil until smooth.
- Add oils – Cool wax to about 180°F, then stir in essential oils.
- Pour – Pour wax into jars, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace.
- Cool – Center the wicks, let candles harden, then trim wicks to 1/4 inch before use.
Notes
First burn: Allow the entire top to melt on the first burn for an even burn pool. To use: Trim the wick to 1/4 inch each time. Store: Cover or seal between uses to preserve fragrance.
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