
Our editors handpick the products that we feature. We may earn commission from the links on this page.
There's plenty of good reasons to keep your home stocked with candles—namely, they fill the air with a sweet, relaxing scent, create a zen environment to help you unwind at the end of a long day, and can set a romantic mood. But here's another excuse for candle lovers to pick up a few more: Like a good oil, some make wonderful tools to heat up any at-home massage.
But what exactly is a massage candle, you may ask? It's just like any other votive, but it's specially formulated with soy wax that won't harm your skin upon direct contact, because soy melts at a comfortable temperature and isn't an irritant (provided you don't have a soy allergy). Massage candles often also contain essential oils for aromatherapy benefits, as well as emollients, like vitamin E and shea butter or coconut oil, to smooth and hydrate skin.
To use massage candles safely—and without hurting yourself or your partner—let the candle burn so that there's an adequate puddle of melted wax on the top. Then, blow out the flame, let cool slightly (you want it to be liquid and warm, but not scorching hot), and pour onto skin prior to the massage.
If you're making your own soy candles for massage, some of the best fragrances include lavender, eucalyptus, and frankincense. Similar to the way you'd add essential oils to your bath water, you should avoid "hot" oils like cinnamon, oregano, and thyme. And if you have sensitive skin, steer clear of "warm" oils, including peppermint.
If you prefer to pluck a massage candle off the shelf, when shopping, look for a soy candle specifically marketed as a massage candle—or at the very least, one that says "skin safe." Here are the best options to warm up to.
Our Top Picks
- Best Massage Candle for Relaxation: LELO Flickering Touch Massage Candle
- Best Massage Candle on Amazon: Kama Sutra Massage Candle Lubricant
- Best Massage Candle for Stress: NEOM Real Luxury Intensive Skin Treatment Candle
- Best for Dry Skin: Creative Energy 2 in 1 Body Lotion Candle
- Most Luxurious Massage Candle: Oskia Rose De Mai Massage Candle
1
Best Massage Candle For Relaxation
LELO Flickering Touch Massage Candle
Now 30% Off
This clean-burning candle has up to 36 hours of life in it—that’s a whole lot of massage time—plus it's available in three different scents to suit a range of tastes.
Like most other massage candles, this wax-free formula burns at a lower temperature for comfort and safety. What sets it apart is its skin-smoothing formula filled with coconut oil, shea butter, and vitamin E, as well as its alluring tropical scent.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
3
Best Massage Candle For Stress
NEOM Skin Treatment Candle
This massage candle has 100 percent natural fragrances—including a blend of 24 essential oils like lavender, Brazilian rosewood, and jasmine. Together, the ingredients will help you achieve a sense of calm.
A hand-poured soy candle that turns to a nourishing lotion when burned, it's packed with coconut oil, botanical oils, and vitamins A, K, and E, making it an excellent pick for anyone with dry skin.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
This three-wicked candle with notes of lavender, rosemary, orange, ylang ylang, and lemon creates a relaxing experience.
6
Most Luxurious Massage Candle
Oskia Rose De Mai Massage Candle
This one is a splurge-worthy pick that's high in omegas, vitamins, and minerals, plus has sultry rose scent.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Because it’s formulated with 100 percent natural soy lecithin, this candle is considered edible. You know what that means: It’s perfectly suitable for a little foreplay.
A hand-poured vegan and cruelty-free option that uses only the most natural ingredients, including a cotton, lead-free wick. It’s a great option for anyone because there are three scents—no. 1 has notes of amber, cedar leaf, lemongrass, tonka bean, and medjool date; and no. 2 includes pink pepper, gurjun balsam, lemon, and cedarwood. No. 0, on the other hand, has no scent at all.
This coconut- and soy-based candle is formulated with apricot oil, aloe vera oil, vitamin E oil, shea butter, and jojoba oil for an ultra-smoothing but non-greasy application.
This candle’s sleek and attractive porcelain container does more than look good on your nightstand—it helps keep the soy-based formula warmer longer.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
11
What to know about massage candles
How to use massage candles safely
Let the candle burn so there's an adequate puddle of melted wax on top, then blow out the flame and let the liquid cool slightly (you want it to be warm, not scorching hot). Pour onto the skin prior to the massage.
What to look for in a massage candle
Most are formulated with soy wax that won't harm your skin upon direct contact, because soy melts at a comfortable temperature. If you have a soy allergy, avoid these. Ingredients such as essential oils, vitamin E, shea butter, and coconut oil will make your skin even smoother. Be sure to look for candles that are specifically marketed as massage candles, or at the very least, say "skin safe."
If you're DIY-ing a massage candle
Some of the best fragrances to add include lavender, eucalyptus, and frankincense. Steer clear of "hot" oils like cinnamon, oregano, and thyme. If you have sensitive skin, avoid "warm" oils like peppermint.
Brigitt Earley
Contributing Writer
Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.
Cassie Hurwitz
Associate Editor
Cassie Hurwitz (she/her) is an associate editor at Oprah Daily, where she covers everything from culture to entertainment to lifestyle. She can typically be found in the middle of multiple books and TV shows all at once. Previously, Cassie worked at Parents, Rachael Ray In Season, and Reveal. Her love language is pizza (New York slices, Chicago deep dish, and otherwise).