Essential Oils in Candles
At Mountain Moon Wax, every decision we make is rooted in one goal: creating candles that are beautiful, effective, and safe for your home. Over time, that commitment has led us to evolve our formulation—we’ve significantly limited our use of essential oils in our candles.
We know this might come as a surprise. Essential oils are often associated with wellness, luxury, and “clean” living. But when it comes to candle-making, the reality is more nuanced—and not always what you’d expect.
The Truth About Essential Oils in Candles
Essential oils are derived from plants and are widely used in diffusers, skincare, and aromatherapy. However, most are not designed to be burned.
When exposed to the high heat of a candle flame, many essential oils can:
- Break down quickly, resulting in weak or inconsistent scent throw
- Burn off unevenly, making the candle less enjoyable overall
- Lose their intended properties, meaning they don’t deliver the benefits people often expect
That said, not all essential oils behave the same way.
A More Nuanced Approach
Through extensive research and testing, we’ve found that some essential oils can perform adequately in candles when used carefully and in the right conditions.
For select products, we do incorporate essential oils that have been:
- Rigorously researched for safety in high-heat applications
- Tested for stable, consistent burn performance
- Evaluated for overall air quality and user experience
However, because many essential oils do not meet these standards, we’ve made the intentional decision to limit their use rather than rely on them across our entire line.
Are Essential Oils Safer? Not Necessarily.
There’s a common belief that essential oils are a safer, more natural alternative to fragrance oils. While they are natural in origin, that doesn’t automatically make them safer—especially when burned.
Combustion changes the chemical composition of any oil. When essential oils are burned:
- They can release irritating or potentially harmful compounds
- Not all essential oils are safe for inhalation in high heat environments
- Their safety hasn’t been established for candle use in the way fragrance oils have
This is a key reason we take such a careful, selective approach.
Why We Use Fragrance Oils
High-quality fragrance oils are specifically formulated for candle use. They are designed to:
- Withstand high temperatures
- Burn cleanly and consistently
- Provide a reliable, long-lasting scent throw
Most importantly, reputable fragrance oils are tested for safety in candles, giving us confidence in what we’re bringing into your home.
While they may not have the same “natural” perception as essential oils, they are often the more appropriate and dependable choice for this specific application.
A Better Candle, From the Inside Out
Beyond fragrance, we carefully choose every component of our candles to ensure a clean, high-quality burn.
- Soy Wax: We use soy wax for its clean-burning properties and minimal soot production
- Cotton Wicks: Our wicks are lead-free and designed for a steady, even flame
- Thoughtful Formulation: Every element works together for a safer, more enjoyable experience
Don’t Forget Wick Maintenance
Even the best candle needs a little care to perform at its best.
Trimming your wick before each burn is one of the simplest ways to:
- Reduce soot and smoke
- Prevent excessive flickering
- Extend the life of your candle
- Maintain a clean, even burn
We recommend using a wick trimmer to keep your wick at about 1/4 inch before lighting.
A Final Note on Essential Oils
While we’ve limited their use in candles, essential oils do have a place in our product line.
We use essential oils in our reed diffusers, where they can shine in the way they’re intended—without being exposed to high heat or combustion. In this format, essential oils provide a beautiful, natural scent experience that is both effective and appropriate.
The Bottom Line
Essential oils can work in candles—but only in specific cases, with careful research and testing.
By taking a selective approach, and pairing both rigorously tested essential oils and high-quality fragrance oils with clean-burning wax and thoughtful materials, we’re able to create candles that are not only beautiful—but also safer, more reliable, and more enjoyable to use.
As always, we’re committed to transparency and thoughtful craftsmanship in everything we make.
Thank you for trusting Mountain Moon in your home.