Last week I shared some of my favourite essential oil blends of the holiday season, but as I have found out over on Instagram, only half of you lovelies seem to use a diffuser - colour me surprised! While all of those blends can be used in other ways too, today I thought I would offer alternatives so everyone can create a winter wonderland at home. I am rounding up my top picks for natural candles so those of you without a diffuser can still enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy and fill your home with nontoxic seasonal fragrances!
Problems with Synthetic Fragrance:
Last year I explained some of the benefits of casual aromatherapy, including easing the effects of SAD, boosting positive thoughts, and assisting general wellbeing, and that is honestly the main reason I utilize essential oils on the daily. I find certain blends just work wonders for my mental state, with some sharpening my focus, some lifting my mood, and some energizing my spirit -- there's so many possibilities! And come wintertime I find filling our house with seasonal scents really helps create a fabulous festive vibe that helps keep us calm and content through the cold and blustery days.
But do remember, not all candles are created equal.
As I stated last year in my Beating the Winter Blues article, "over 95% of the worldwide consumer market is flooded with synthetic air fresheners, paraffin candles, room perfumes with synthetic aromas and artificial car fragrances. Most of the chemicals used in synthetic fragrances are derived from petroleum and include benzene derivatives, aldehydes and many other known toxins and synthesizers capable of causing cancer, birth defects, central nervous system disorders and allergic reactions." It's so crazy to think about!!
Sticking with trustworthy brands, especially those who have ethics and the environment at the center of their business practice, is a great way of ensuring the products you pick are safe to use. You want to steer clear of super cheap and artificially fragranced candles, as these can cause headaches and breathing problems as they release nasties into the air. Instead, opt for pure essential oils, natural wicks, and natural wax bases as these are far less irritating and safer for both your health and the planet!
In fact, before I switched over to pure candles, I couldn't enjoy them without having an allergy attack. Constant sneezing, sniffling, and pretty frequent headaches accompanied the plumes of fragrance from high street brands, but once I tried a less synthetic option all those symptoms disappeared. And now I can have the beautiful flickering light and gentle aromas wafting through the room without any worries!
So what are my current favourites for winter??
Well, there are a fair few I will admit!
Transparency Key:
* This post contains affiliate links and a few products gifted via the LLABP
No matter how I have received a product, whether it has been purchased with my own money, gifted by a brand, been subsidized by a brand, won, gifted by friends/family, or purchased with a gift voucher, my approach is always the same -- honesty, integrity, and highlighting both the good and the bad. You can find more information on Disclosures and Privacy here.
Kiss the Moon Glow:
This candle is pure bliss, and inspires a sense of coziness that is just perfect for the cold months. I have the mini version that comes inside the Glow to Sleep Gift Set, a gorgeous kit with three fabulous formulas designed to uplift and brighten the mood while also relaxing the mind before bedtime. I find this candle works perfectly in tandem with the bath salts and soap, and I can't help but feel ready for a restful night's sleep at the end of the day after breathing in the soft notes of geranium and warm citrus.
Lucky Cloud Restore Rosemary + Mint:
Winter has a dulling effect on my mind, so when I discovered Lucky Cloud's Restore blend I was thrilled -- not only does it offer the fresh minty quality I associate with the holiday season, it brings a renewed sense of clarity thanks to the grounding rosemary! This candle is perfect for the drizzly dark days, and brings wonderful winter vibes thanks to the wooden wick that crackles as it burns. It's like having a fireplace going even if you don't have one in your house, and makes for a lovely sight on a cold winter's night.
Wax & Wick Frankincense + Myrrh:
I'm so gutted that Wax & Wick do not carry this particular blend anymore, as the Frankincense + Myrrh creation is an all time favourite of mine. I have been so careful with this candle, noting each time it burns as a precious moment that brings such complete and utter peace -- it's something so special, offering a lightness that brightens even the darkest winter days. While you can't sadly pick this specific candle up anymore, Wax & Wick do have a few other holiday inspired options available, including a Wild Woods + Fir and a Spiced Orange + Cinnamon variety!
Petits Rituels Minty BonBon:
As odd as it sounds, Petits Rituels Minty Bonbon candle is an absolute joy to use, with notes of sweet spearmint coming together with bright lemongrass in a way that forms a uniquely warming scent. It's like a snowy evening spent by the fireside -- toasty, but crisp and fresh. I love how different the aroma is, and how it offers the perfect benefits for this grey season. The candle helps wake up the mind, re-energize your spirit, and increase much needed positivity. Plus, the beautiful white glass brings some serious winter vibes and it looks so stunning on the shelf!
Lola's Apothecary Delicate Romance:
Oh how I adore the scents expertly crafted by Lola's Apothecary, and Delicate Romance is something that cuts through the frigid blanket of winter and brings hope, warmth, and love to the room. With uplifting sweet orange and lemon, freshly floral geranium and rose, and comforting sandalwood, vanilla, and patchouli, this candle offers a dose of sweetness and spice all in one. It's ideal for evenings as the added lavender, chamomile, and ylang ylang bring tranquility and good vibes to round out the day, and it helps lull you into a serene state of mind so you wake up refreshed and ready to take on whatever arises.
The Handmade Soap Co Lavender Rosemary Thyme & Mint:
Another unique blend of oils, The Handmade Soap Company combines calming lavender, grounding rosemary, clarity inducing thyme, and stimulating spearmint to create a freshly herbal aroma that brings the garden indoors even in the height of winter. This candle helps melt away stresses, awaken the senses, and soothe the soul, and it is a lovely addition to any candle lovers collection! Not only is it totally different from anything else I've experienced, it makes for a brilliant transition fragrance as we move from the end of December into a new year and eventually a new season.
Ermana Comfort:
The festive season is not always so festive for everyone, and the chaotic energy and feelings of stress can be a bit overwhelming this time of year. That's why I love Ermana's Comfort candle, as the blend of ylang ylang, lavender, and geranium offers a dose of calm laced with feelings of love and happiness. There is something welcoming and familiar about this aroma, and it offers a warm hug to the senses. If you struggle during winter, or around the Christmas period in particular, this candle does a great deal of good and can soothe you morning or evening.
Celtic Herbal Christmas Cwtch:
Looking for a more traditional Christmas aroma? Celtic Herbal's Christmas Cwtch is perfect, as it offers a warming touch and a powerful punch of spice to any room. Infused with spiced orange, cinnamon and clove, this is like a piping hot cup of mulled wine -- full bodied, fragrant, and fantastically festive! Despite the big scent profiles, I find this candle is still pretty soft and rounded, and it fills the home beautifully with this holiday inspired blend of essential oils!
Help Me Organics Help Me Say Hello to Winter:
Last year I received the Help Me Get Into the Festive Spirit candle in the December Skin Organics box, and I was pleased to find that this wonderful wintery blend has been brought back once more. Now named Help Me Say Hello to Winter, this creation still has the same clove and ginger packed scent that made me love it so much. Made gentle and warm with added sweet orange, lemon, and fir needle oil, this organic candle will have you feeling comfy cozy and singing carols in no time!
Those are my current favourite nontoxic and natural candles at the moment, and I find them all perfect for this time of year. Each one brings a sense of warmth, calm, and comfort, and many renew and refresh the mind which is just what I need during these short dark days and long cold nights.
What are your top picks for clean candles this winter? Do you like something to boost sleep with heady lavender or fragrant florals, a Christmas sensation with mints or spices, or a blend that increases happiness and eases tension?? I would love to hear what you opt for during the cold months! Share your favourite brands and blends in the comments, and let's see if we have any star selections in common xx
But do remember, not all candles are created equal.
As I stated last year in my Beating the Winter Blues article, "over 95% of the worldwide consumer market is flooded with synthetic air fresheners, paraffin candles, room perfumes with synthetic aromas and artificial car fragrances. Most of the chemicals used in synthetic fragrances are derived from petroleum and include benzene derivatives, aldehydes and many other known toxins and synthesizers capable of causing cancer, birth defects, central nervous system disorders and allergic reactions." It's so crazy to think about!!
Sticking with trustworthy brands, especially those who have ethics and the environment at the center of their business practice, is a great way of ensuring the products you pick are safe to use. You want to steer clear of super cheap and artificially fragranced candles, as these can cause headaches and breathing problems as they release nasties into the air. Instead, opt for pure essential oils, natural wicks, and natural wax bases as these are far less irritating and safer for both your health and the planet!
In fact, before I switched over to pure candles, I couldn't enjoy them without having an allergy attack. Constant sneezing, sniffling, and pretty frequent headaches accompanied the plumes of fragrance from high street brands, but once I tried a less synthetic option all those symptoms disappeared. And now I can have the beautiful flickering light and gentle aromas wafting through the room without any worries!
So what are my current favourites for winter??
Well, there are a fair few I will admit!
Transparency Key:
* This post contains affiliate links and a few products gifted via the LLABP
No matter how I have received a product, whether it has been purchased with my own money, gifted by a brand, been subsidized by a brand, won, gifted by friends/family, or purchased with a gift voucher, my approach is always the same -- honesty, integrity, and highlighting both the good and the bad. You can find more information on Disclosures and Privacy here.
Best Natural Essential Oil Candles
Kiss the Moon Glow:
This candle is pure bliss, and inspires a sense of coziness that is just perfect for the cold months. I have the mini version that comes inside the Glow to Sleep Gift Set, a gorgeous kit with three fabulous formulas designed to uplift and brighten the mood while also relaxing the mind before bedtime. I find this candle works perfectly in tandem with the bath salts and soap, and I can't help but feel ready for a restful night's sleep at the end of the day after breathing in the soft notes of geranium and warm citrus.
Lucky Cloud Restore Rosemary + Mint:
Winter has a dulling effect on my mind, so when I discovered Lucky Cloud's Restore blend I was thrilled -- not only does it offer the fresh minty quality I associate with the holiday season, it brings a renewed sense of clarity thanks to the grounding rosemary! This candle is perfect for the drizzly dark days, and brings wonderful winter vibes thanks to the wooden wick that crackles as it burns. It's like having a fireplace going even if you don't have one in your house, and makes for a lovely sight on a cold winter's night.
Wax & Wick Frankincense + Myrrh:
I'm so gutted that Wax & Wick do not carry this particular blend anymore, as the Frankincense + Myrrh creation is an all time favourite of mine. I have been so careful with this candle, noting each time it burns as a precious moment that brings such complete and utter peace -- it's something so special, offering a lightness that brightens even the darkest winter days. While you can't sadly pick this specific candle up anymore, Wax & Wick do have a few other holiday inspired options available, including a Wild Woods + Fir and a Spiced Orange + Cinnamon variety!
Petits Rituels Minty BonBon:
As odd as it sounds, Petits Rituels Minty Bonbon candle is an absolute joy to use, with notes of sweet spearmint coming together with bright lemongrass in a way that forms a uniquely warming scent. It's like a snowy evening spent by the fireside -- toasty, but crisp and fresh. I love how different the aroma is, and how it offers the perfect benefits for this grey season. The candle helps wake up the mind, re-energize your spirit, and increase much needed positivity. Plus, the beautiful white glass brings some serious winter vibes and it looks so stunning on the shelf!
Lola's Apothecary Delicate Romance:
Oh how I adore the scents expertly crafted by Lola's Apothecary, and Delicate Romance is something that cuts through the frigid blanket of winter and brings hope, warmth, and love to the room. With uplifting sweet orange and lemon, freshly floral geranium and rose, and comforting sandalwood, vanilla, and patchouli, this candle offers a dose of sweetness and spice all in one. It's ideal for evenings as the added lavender, chamomile, and ylang ylang bring tranquility and good vibes to round out the day, and it helps lull you into a serene state of mind so you wake up refreshed and ready to take on whatever arises.
The Handmade Soap Co Lavender Rosemary Thyme & Mint:
Another unique blend of oils, The Handmade Soap Company combines calming lavender, grounding rosemary, clarity inducing thyme, and stimulating spearmint to create a freshly herbal aroma that brings the garden indoors even in the height of winter. This candle helps melt away stresses, awaken the senses, and soothe the soul, and it is a lovely addition to any candle lovers collection! Not only is it totally different from anything else I've experienced, it makes for a brilliant transition fragrance as we move from the end of December into a new year and eventually a new season.
Ermana Comfort:
The festive season is not always so festive for everyone, and the chaotic energy and feelings of stress can be a bit overwhelming this time of year. That's why I love Ermana's Comfort candle, as the blend of ylang ylang, lavender, and geranium offers a dose of calm laced with feelings of love and happiness. There is something welcoming and familiar about this aroma, and it offers a warm hug to the senses. If you struggle during winter, or around the Christmas period in particular, this candle does a great deal of good and can soothe you morning or evening.
Celtic Herbal Christmas Cwtch:
Looking for a more traditional Christmas aroma? Celtic Herbal's Christmas Cwtch is perfect, as it offers a warming touch and a powerful punch of spice to any room. Infused with spiced orange, cinnamon and clove, this is like a piping hot cup of mulled wine -- full bodied, fragrant, and fantastically festive! Despite the big scent profiles, I find this candle is still pretty soft and rounded, and it fills the home beautifully with this holiday inspired blend of essential oils!
Help Me Organics Help Me Say Hello to Winter:
Last year I received the Help Me Get Into the Festive Spirit candle in the December Skin Organics box, and I was pleased to find that this wonderful wintery blend has been brought back once more. Now named Help Me Say Hello to Winter, this creation still has the same clove and ginger packed scent that made me love it so much. Made gentle and warm with added sweet orange, lemon, and fir needle oil, this organic candle will have you feeling comfy cozy and singing carols in no time!
Those are my current favourite nontoxic and natural candles at the moment, and I find them all perfect for this time of year. Each one brings a sense of warmth, calm, and comfort, and many renew and refresh the mind which is just what I need during these short dark days and long cold nights.
What are your top picks for clean candles this winter? Do you like something to boost sleep with heady lavender or fragrant florals, a Christmas sensation with mints or spices, or a blend that increases happiness and eases tension?? I would love to hear what you opt for during the cold months! Share your favourite brands and blends in the comments, and let's see if we have any star selections in common xx
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