Check out my Massage Candle Oil Ratio experiment to see just how much carrier oil I can put into a candle and test the consistency. When you are making a Massage Oil Candle or a Lotion Candle it is very tempting to want to add a lot of carrier oils, which is understandable. However, we also need to make sure that this candle is going to in fact harden up into a candle.
So I decided to do a 5 candle experiment and test different ratios of soy wax to carrier oil to see how the candles set up.
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Massage Candle Recipes
I absolutely love making Massage Oil Candles, here are a few of my favorite recipes:
What kind of wax is used in a Massage Candle?
When you are making the massage oil candles, be sure that you are using a soy wax that is skin safe. you do not want to use any wax that does not say that it is safe to use on your skin,
How much liquid oil can you use in a massage oil candle?
For me, I learn better when I can actually see the results of doing something. In this experiment, I am going to try different ratios of soy wax and fractionated coconut oil to show the final candle consistency.
Soy Wax to Oil Ratio
The first number is the soy wax percentage used and the second is the avocado oil percentage used.
80:20
80% soy wax and 20% avocado oil.
When applied to the skin, this candle had a bit of a drag to it. There was too much wax to oil and it left behind a waxy feel. When I tried to press my finger into the candle, it barely made a dent. This would not be ideal for a massage candle because we do not want that drag.
70:30
70% soy wax and 30% avocado oil.
When applied to the skin, this candle has a nice slip. It did not have that drag we saw in the 80:20 candle. When I pressed my finger into the candle it was in solid form, but I could make a good dent with my finger. When I poured the oil on my skin, I noticed this candle was a bit warmer than the 65:35 candle.
65:35
65% soy wax and 35% avocado oil.
When applied to the skin this candle had a great slip. It would be a great candle to use for giving massages as the oils took a while to rub in and it did not leave behind any waxy residue. When I pressed my finger into the candle it was in solid form, but I could make a good dent with my finger.
60:40
60% soy wax and 40% avocado oil.
When applied to the skin, this massage candle had an excellent slip. It would be amazing to use for a massage. The issue with it was that the candle did not harden up very well. In warmer temperatures using this much oil would most likely cause your candle to melt when it is not lit.
55:45
55% soy wax and 45% avocado oil.
When applied to the skin, this massage candle had an excellent slip. It would be amazing to use for a massage. The issue with it was that the candle did not harden up very well. In warmer temperatures using this much oil would most likely cause your candle to melt when it is not lit.
Final Results: How much oil can be added to a massage candle
When formulating a massage oil candle, I would recommend using between 30 – 35% carrier oils for the best result. In this range the candle set up nicely and when applied to your skin, it gave a nice massage. After the massage the skin felt moisturized and not waxy.
How do adding butters to a massage candle change the consistency?
When making a Lotion Candle or a Massage Candle, the wax could end up being a little harder or softer depending on the butter that you use. If you are using a soft butter (like Shea Butter) it is going to be softer. If you are using a brittle butter (like Cocoa Butter) the final candle will be a little harder than the results we got here.
Troubleshooting Massage Oil Candle
- If you find that your candle is too soft, you can add a brittle butter like cocoa butter to harden it up a bit more.
- If you find that your candle is too hard or it has a drag when applied to the skin, add a bit more carrier oil to it.