10 Best Massage Candles UK 2022 | Rituals, NEOM and More

Massage candles differ from regular ones due to having a lower melting point - this is so they don't burn the skin. They are also made with skin-safe wax such as soy or beeswax and contain a bunch of aromatherapeutic essential oils and nourishing skin moisturisers. As the hot wax melts, the candle liquefies into oil so it can be poured onto the skin and used like regular massage oil. 

Massage candles are a great bedroom accessory as they stimulate multiple senses. Once the candle oil melts, it can be drizzled onto your partner's skin, providing a comfortable, warm feeling as the oil is massaged in. The combination of warm oil, delicious aroma, and personal touch creates an intimate sensory experience and a chance to bond with your partner.

Don't have a partner? Massage candles are perfect for self-care sessions too, and are an excellent addition to a relaxing bath. Light a candle to fill the room with scent whilst waiting for the tub to fill,  then drizzle a few drops of oil into your bath for extra nourishment. When you get out of the tub, massage the oil into your skin to moisturise and soften!

For those after a quick look, here is our Top 5:

1. Rituals - The Ritual of Jing Massage Candle for £24.18
2. NEOM - Real Luxury Intensive Skin Treatment Candle for £40.50
3. Beauty Image - Passion Fruit Hot Oil Body Massage Candle for £6.99
4. Kama Sutra - Coconut Pineapple Massage Oil Candle for £19.73
5. Pure Earth - Sensual Massage Oil Candle for £16.49

For a more in-depth look at the comprehensive top 10 selection, make sure to read on to learn more about the different types of massage candles available and understand how our ranking was determined.

This article's chosen EC site price listings are reflective of its publishing date.

1. Pick a Fragrance That You and Your Partner Will Enjoy 
   
2. Search for Moisturising and Nourishing Ingredients
3. Note the Waiting Time to Help You Plan Your Session
4. Choose Soy Over Beeswax if You’re Vegan 
   

When you light a massage candle, the fragrance fills the room and lingers on your skin, so you want to make sure you're picking a scent that you and your partner enjoy. Different aromas also stimulate the mind and body in different ways, so it's a good idea to consider the aromatherapy information when choosing your candle. Here's a list of the main fragrances you'll find and their benefits:

• Lavender is a popular scent in aromatherapy due to its calming and inflammatory effects. Inhaling lavender has been known to lift moods while soothing anxiety and depression, inducing an overall sense of relaxation. It has also been linked to lowering blood pressure. 

• Passion fruit can be used whenever you're feeling dull and uninspired, as its effects can be stimulating and energising. It can even help alleviate feelings of boredom and disinterest and help you get in the right mood or headspace.

• Coconut is another calming scent that can help ease symptoms of stress while soothing and encouraging peace of mind. Mix it with pineapple for a delicious combo that will transport you to a tropical paradise!

• Palmarosa and ylang-ylang Palmarosa is an uplifting scent that can help clear the mind, whereas ylang-ylang has a calming effect. When mixed, the combination is perfect for raising spirits and facilitating calmness.

• Rose is a beautiful wonderful in aromatherapy. When the molecules are inhaled, they instigate a sense of comfort as they relax the body and mind. Rose has also been known to help with reducing inflammation, relaxing muscles and relieving spasms. 

• Bergamot is a relaxant that has been known to lift moods, making it the perfect scent when you need a little energy boost. It calms the nerves and reduces tension and anxiety, whilst also positively influencing the effects of depression. 

• Vanilla is a warm, comforting scent linked to reducing inflammation, lowering blood pressure, and soothing symptoms of depression and PMS. It has also been known to boost libido.

You can also add your favourite essential oils to boost your massage candle's effects. Browse the best essential oils in the UK!

Among the many appeals of massage candles, is that they can leave your skin feeling and smelling great! They're also commonly known as lotion candles, thanks to the rich blend of nutrients and fatty acids, such as oils and butters. 

Common nourishing ingredients to look out for include oils such as coconut, jojoba, rapeseed, soybean, sweet almond, baobab, palmarosa, and apricot kernel oil, or butters such as shea and cocoa butter. These have superb moisturising properties as they attract and hold moisture in the skin. Vitamin E is another favourite ingredient in massage candles due to its moisturising and skin-protecting benefits. 

Massage candles don't work instantly as it takes time for the wax to melt into a pool of oil. The time varies from candle to candle but can take anything from 5 to 30 minutes for it to gather enough oil for your massage and cool down to your desired temperature. Knowing how long you need to wait for this to happen can help you plan your session better.

If massage candles aren't your thing, discover our go-to massage oils here!

Some massage candles are made of beeswax instead of soy, which, as it's harvested from bees, is not vegan-friendly. If you are vegan, make sure you always scan the ingredients list and only pick candles made from soy. This can be a bit of an arduous task, so we've done the brunt of the leg work for you and listed which candles in our top 10 are vegan. Easy-peasy!

This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.

1. Light the candle and wait for the wax to melt into a pool of oil (around 5 to 20 minutes)
2. Once there's a good amount of oil, blow out the candle and let it cool to your desired temperature
3. Drizzle the oil onto the body and massage it in
4. Wash hands before and after

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Written and Researched by Audrey Tan