My husband and I are like two peas in a pod. Except when it comes to our entertainment choices. He likes to relax to sports and anime. I chill-out to gritty dramas and off-beat comedies. But there’s one thing we can agree upon. Relaxation time is that much more enjoyable when you turn off the lights and burn some frankincense and lavender candles.
I used to always fill my house with relaxing candles. That was until a few years ago. This is when I learned that most beautifully scented candles contain toxic paraffins. I’m so careful about what I put on my body and in my home. And here I was, just burning and breathing chemicals on a regular basis.
The toxic side of most candles
Get this! Paraffins are a form of petroleum. Petroleum contains volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which are carcinogenic and can cause DNA damage. And I was burning these to feel calm? Not anymore.
But just like every other change I’ve made in my life, there’s an easy, more natural alternative. And this led me to make my own calming frankincense and lavender candles. These candles are super uncomplicated, very economical, and are a perfect excuse for a non-crafty person like myself to actually create something. Woohoo!
Frankincense and lavender essential oils
Frankincense and lavender are two amazing, calming, healing essential oils. Lavender is very soothing to the central nervous system. And frankincense is considered a naturally uplifting essential oil. So together, these oils are the perfect antidote to an “OMG, I wanna scream” kind of day.” And while the average candle will just smell nice, candles made from essential oils can truly help relax you.
One important point. Essential oils are a huge market these days. Everyone and their brother is selling these magical oils. But make sure you purchase from a company you know and trust. The essential oil industry isn’t regulated. And if you’re buying essential oils for their healing properties, you want to make sure you’re getting pure oil and not synthetic fragrance.
Easy frankincense and lavender essential oil candles
These candles are so easy to make. Seriously, I’m not a naturally crafty person. But this project took only about a half hour. I bought all the candle ingredients on amazon. And I got the containers at the 99 cent store (For $1.49 – yes, it’s hard to find something that is truly ninety nine cents anymore.)
Here is what you’ll need
- Frankincense and lavender essential oils.
- Candle container – I recommend a mason jar
- Pre-waxed candle wicks
- Beeswax Pellets
- Glass container or empty metal can to melt beeswax
- Popsicle sticks or pencils
- Tape
As a note, I spent a few dollars extra to get pesticide-free, chemical-free beeswax. I figured, as long as I’m taking the trouble to make natural, healing candles, I might as well avoid burning chemicals into the air my family is breathing.
Add the beeswax to the glass container or metal can. You can even use an old coffee mug if you don’t mind it getting covered in wax. I needed a lot more beeswax for the size of candle container I chose than originally anticipated. That’s because the pellets shrink in volume as they melt. I would recommend using about 1 ½ to 2 times the volume of the container you’re trying to fill. This means that if you’re trying to fill a 12 ounce container, melt 18 to 24 ounces of beeswax.
Sit the glass or metal container in a pot of boiling water to melt the beeswax. This works like a double boiler with the outer pan filled with water and the inner can or jar filled with beeswax. Stir melted beeswax with a pencil or Popsicle stick to prevent clumping.
Step 2 – Make the candles
While you wait for the wax to melt, you can ready the candle wicks. Wraps the ends of the wick around the pencil or Popsicle stick. This will help keep the wick in place as the candle hardens. I used old Christmas pencils I had sitting around!
Once the wax is melted, take it off the burner and add the essential oils. I added about 10 drops each of frankincense and lavender oil. I also added a couple drops of cedarwood oil, just because I had it on hand and it is also a relaxing oil. Feel free to experiment.
Pour the beeswax into the mason jar or other candle container. Place the wicks in place, leaving the candles on the top of the jar to help steady the wicks. And that’s it! Now you just need to wait for it to harden
Enjoy your relaxing candles
My husband and I love burning these candles. We love that they make our house smell lovely. And we love that they help us live well. And while we still can’t agree on TV, we can agree that burning off a little stress from our day always feels good
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My mother kept bees and it was beeswax candles or nothing. They smell amazing all on their own. I was shocked to find out all the nasty things in air fresheners. DIY with some essential oils seems best.
That’s so amazing that you mom keeps bees!
My husband hates candles because his ex-wife used to buy the whole Yankee Candle store every time she went. He doesn’t mind when I burn essential oils though, so maybe I can try this and he won’t mind. 🙂
Ooh, I hope this helps you bring candles back into your home!
Thank you so much for posting this. I love lavender candles and I can’t wait to make this.
They smell amazing!
I have both of these essential oils, and others, and I’ve never thought about making candles with them. It’s a really great idea, because I’m with you and all the junk they put in candles that you buy in the stores.
You should definitely give them a try since you already have the oils!
I am a big fan of candles. I would love to try my hand at making my own lavender candles. How relaxing!
Your candle sounds like it smells heavenly! I love using essential oils! 🙂
I love burning candles and I never thought to check the ingredients and if they are in any way harmful. I might use this recipe to make my own candles and use those oils that must smell so nice.
I’m actually always looking for new ways to keep me calm. We all live chaotic lives, in one way or another, so having a few tricks up your sleeve is super useful! Thanks for sharing!
Wow!! best DIY so far. Cant wait to try…The smell seems amazing and pure. I love natural oild too..
Wow.. I didn’t know about the toxins and I regularly get these candles. Gonna try out making them at home now.. Thanks for sharing these detailed instructions.
I love the smell or Lavender and these candles sound awesome. Thanks for sharing with us the steps to make these great candles.
I love this idea of a calming candle. I not only need one for myself, but I think this would make a great gift too!
That’s really lovely! I love having candles around the house, especially lavender scented ones! They are so calming and they smell really good!
Candles are so fun to make and burn! I’m lazy these days, though, and just diffuse the oils. Candles are a wonderful gift, though, and I love all the possible containers!
I am a candle fanatic I would love to practice making candles it will be nice to make this one.
I am a candle fanatic I would love to practice making candles it will be nice to make this one and use it for a crazy nights.
Aww so crafty! LOL get it? hehehe..
Anyways, it’s awesome that you found an alternative to your dillema of candles containing paraffin. Unfortunately for me the only time I grab a candle and light it is when it’s all saint’s day, birthdays and when there’s power outtage. This post would be awesome for those that probably use aromatherapy to relax… and I’m pretty sure it would be also awesome for those who wanna try something new. Definitely sharing this to my friends.. Arigato! <3
I like the smell of fragranced candles, especially when you are relaxing in the bath (a rarity in my life with two little ones!) I do worry about the dangers of burning candles and am ultra cautious at ensuring they are fully blown out.
I have read placing a little lavender oil on your pillow will give you a good night’s sleep – I am yet to try.
I’m not very crafty either, although I loved making candles when I was a teen. I can only imagine how those ingredients were not the safest. I still have the kits, so I think I’ll dig it out of the attic and try using your recommended ingredients to whip up a winter batch of yummy smelling candles.
Candles with lavande aroma.. what can be better after a long working day 🙂
Hi Erica. Thx for this interesting post about calming frankincense and lavender candles. I admit to not particularly liking the scent of lavender. But I don’t know what frankincense smells like. So I will have to check it out. 🙂
You had me at Frankincense and Lavender!!! Do you sell these on Etsy by any chance???
No, but that’s a great idea!!