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Whether you’re trying to set a sexy mood, a cozy vibe, or a focused space for WFH, I’ve got one word for you: candles. With so many options out there, I can pretty much guarantee that there’s a candle out there you’ll be into. Scent is a powerful thing, so using a candle with essential oils can go a long way in creating whatever ~vibe~ you’re going for.
Is every scented candle an aromatherapy candle? Well, not exactly. An aromatherapy candle uses essential oils derived from botanical elements like herbs, plant rinds, leaves, and bark. And they might give you a lil boost of relaxation or energy, depending on the essential oil you're dealing with. Plus, many aromatherapy candles are made with a blend of natural ingredients like beeswax or coconut wax, so if you’re trying to go au naturel with your candle things, they’ve got you covered.
Best Slow-Burning Candle for Relaxation
House of Medicinals Pure Essential Oil Candle | Lavender
Read more
Whether you’re trying to harness some ~zen~ for your self-care routine or turn the romance up for your candlelit dinner date, there’s sure to be a candle in the below list that's perfect for you. To help you out, here are 20 of the best aromatherapy candles money can buy rn.
This candle gives off a comforting lavender scent, which research suggests can improve sleep quality and reduce anxiety. This bb also boasts hints of calming cedarwood and chamomile, too. It's also made without synthetic ingredients, so you can feel good about its 50-hour (!!!) burn time.
All I want is for my home to smell like a bakery, and with this vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg candle, my dreams are finally within reach. Sanari's candles are made with coconut wax and 100% organic essential oils, and they're all about sustainability. Once you've used up the candle, wash out the vessel and use it as an upcycled cocktail glass. Cheers!
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This earthy candle is made with essential oils and smells like a sweet mix of orange, star anise, walnut, and juniper sage. One study suggests that the scent of sage can decrease cortisol levels in menopausal women, so while we're not saying this would be the perfect gift for your mom, we're also not *not* saying that.
This luxe candle made with essential oils and natural coconut wax smells like palo santo, cedarwood, and citrus for a natural, centering scent. This might be a candle you want to use during meditation or yoga...or literally any other time because it smells that delicious.
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You know that cozy AF feeling you get whenever you throw on your favorite pair of sweats? That’s exactly what this candle smells like, with its warm rosy yet musky scent. Oh, it's vegan and free of yucky parabens too.
If you're really looking to treat yourself (or someone else), this candle is just the thing to add to your cart. It adds some natural woodsy vibes to your home with scents of cedar and cyprus so you can pretend you're chillin at a cabin in the woods.
One thing to note, Aesop uses a blend of both essential oils and synthetic fragrances in their candles. It smells so good, you might not care, but if you're committed to using only 100% natural ingredients, you might wanna skip it.
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Fig's scent and texture makes it a natural aphrodisiac, so prepare to feel a certain type of way the moment you set this non-toxic bb aflame. It's also allll about the slow burn (you can get 65-plus hours of burn time out of this guy).
Missing that tropical vacay? Same. The good thing is you can sorta replicate that wanderlust with this Tahiti-themed sea salt, hibiscus leaf, coconut, and driftwood-scented candle.
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If you're in need of a pick-me-up, I've got the candle for you. This shop makes their candles with natural ingredients, and this one smells like eucalyptus (which helps relieve stress, congestion, and has reportedly decreased pain and blood pressure in some post-surgery patients), spearmint, citrus, and sage.
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This set comes with four different scents perfectly themed for each part of your day—which is great for those who always have a candle burning (hi, me).
Vanilla isn’t just a delightful scent, it’s also known to induce calmness and relieve anxiety—and we know we could all use a little more of that in these unprecedented times. This candle in particular also has a 60-hour burn time. Just think about how many cozy Netflix nights that adds up to...
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Good news: Eucalyptus can be used in your candles, too. The popular scent—which became a shower-hanging trend—can act as a decongestant to help you get through those brutal winter colds (you know the ones!). Also, a study found that inhaling eucalyptus made patients feel more relaxed. So, I'm just sayin', buy it.
Whenever you’re looking to catch some zzz's, taking a whiff of cedarwood can help you log some serious sleep. This candle—with its snuggly, woodsy scent—will also make you feel like you’re cozying up by the fire while lounging in a quaint log cabin. Need I say more?
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Speaking of sleep, here’s another tranquil scent to help you doze off after a long day. Aside from helping you achieve an ~unbelievable~ snooze, its various essential oils bring relaxation to a whole new level.
This candle is proof that cinnamon isn’t just for baking. Turns out, the spice is useful as an oil and may help stimulate circulation, reduce high blood pressure, and increase concentration (aka exactly what you need to burn while you WFH). This candle also has notes of clove and orange, so it’s basically a pie.
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With its sensational ylang ylang scent, this candle can enhance libido (IYKYK), decrease blood pressure, and promote tranquility. Light it and prepare to unwind.
At $10, this candle is super affordable, and you’ll definitely get more than you paid for, as it’ll fill your room with a soothing geranium scent. Bonus: It’s cruelty-free and comes in a recyclable glass jar.
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19
Best Chill-Out Candle
Maison Louis Marie Antidris Lavender Candle
Lavender gives off a soothing, comforting aroma that’s ideal for unwinding after tackling your never-ending dumpster fire of an inbox. It also features heaps of other good-for-you benefits: It can help improve sleep, reduce anxiety, and may even alleviate headache pain.
Need a triple shot of espresso after the longest workday ever? Instead, try smelling peppermint to instantly boost your energy. Definitely light this candle before your next date night or happy hour cocktails with your crew.
Alexis Bennett
Alexis Bennett is the Shopping Editor at Cosmopolitan. She lives for a good sale. You can follow her shopping obsession here and on Instagram.
Jamie Ballard
Contributing Writer
Jamie Ballard (she/her) is a freelance writer and editor who covers news, lifestyle, and entertainment topics, including sex and relationships, TV, movies, books, health, pets, food and drinks, pop culture, shopping, and personal finance. She regularly contributes to Cosmopolitan, Woman’s Day, Good Housekeeping, and YouGov, among other publications. When she’s not working, you can find her running, traveling, or scrolling TikTok. Follow her on Twitter.