How To Use Fragrance Oils

Fragrance Oils (as opposed to Essential Oils) are manufactured oils and contain synthetic constituents enabling, through the effective mix of these ingredients, the production of a large variety of delightful fragranced candles and other products such as soap and diffusers.

Proportion of Fragrance Oil to Wax

Candle making is a highly enjoyable hobby, but it must be remembered that it is almost never an exact science. The art of creation is through experimentation. Therefore, it is very difficult to simply state a single specific proportion as the density of each fragrance is different, meaning that to get the same ‘level’ of fragrance between different fragrances you would need to add more ml of less dense oil than you would with a denser oil. Therefore, it is always recommended to weigh your fragrance (grams) to be exact rather than use ml. Also, some fragrances are stronger smelling than others – so you need to add less of a stronger smelling fragrance to your candle than a lighter scent.

With paraffin wax (the most common used), as a guide you can start with 5-8% (for example, 8 grams of fragrance oil to 100 grams of wax) for a lightly scented fragrance and 8-10% for a strong scented one. With soy wax you may want to increase the percentage by a couple of percent until you reach the desired strength. The basic principle here is that it is both a science and an art and we can give guides to start in the right direction, but it is down to the candle maker to find what works for them with each fragrance and this is half the fun of candle making.

As a general rule, you should never put in more than 12% fragrance as the candle will literally begin to sweat or leach the fragrance (aka bleeding). Visually, you will see oil on the external surface of the candle when removing it from the mould. Of course, this can be simply wiped away. You can also occasionally get some unwanted smoking or sputtering from the wick if too much fragrance oil is used.

If you are combining different fragrance oils it is important to bear in mind that you cannot add the maximum amount of each scent you would use to the candle, but rather a combination that adds up to the maximum amount.

Once you have decided on how much to use, add the fragrance oil to the wax once the wax has fully melted in the mould/container and stir in for at least two minutes to allow it to fully bond with the wax.

Flash Points

Almost all fragrance oils have what is referred to as a Flash Point – the temperature at which the oil will start to vaporise and evaporate. Unfortunately, there is no standard temperature relating to the Flash Point as it does vary depending on which fragrance oil is being used (see below). If the temperature of the wax is over the recommended maximum flash point temperature, the oil will be evaporating whilst you are adding it and the candle will lose fragrance the whole time as it is cooling until it cools below the flash point leaving you with a less scented candle.

It is generally recommended that you mix most fragrances when the wax is slightly below the temperature indicated in the table below – this ensures that it binds effectively to the wax to give a good scent throw (poorly bound fragrance won’t throw well and will again result in a less scented candle). However, for fragrances with a flash point lower than 80°C you should mix them at their flash point and below about 70°C you should ensure you stir for a few minutes to aid the binding process.



Fragrance Oil		Flash Point Temperature
1 Million Type93 °C
Acqua Di Gio Type93 °C
Alien Type80 °C
Angel Type93 °C
Apple Cinnamon69 °C
Baby Powder93 °C
Baies93 °C
Baltic Amber & Clove93 °C
Bibliotheque93 °C
Blackberry & Bay93 °C
Black Cherry76 °C
Black Coconut100 °C
Blueberry Muffin93 °C
Bubblegum79 °C
Candy Cane Swirl93 °C
Candy Floss83 °C
Candy Hearts90 °C
Cappuccino93 °C
Caramel93 °C
Cedarwood & Jasmine93 °C
Chamomile93 °C
Champagne & Roses94 °C
Chocolate93 °C
Chocolate Orange92 °C
Christmas Spice76 °C
Cinnamon Stick93 °C
Cinnamon Vanilla95 °C
Citronella91 °C
Citrus Basil80 °C
CK One Mens Type88 °C
Coconut93 °C
Coconut Lime80 °C
Coffee93 °C
Cranberry Wreath81 °C
Creed Type93 °C
Crème Caramel93 °C
Cucumber Melon87 °C
English Pear & Freesia93 °C
Evergreen93 °C
Fig93 °C
Fragrance Five93 °C
Frankincense & Myrrh70 °C
French Lavender93 °C
French Pear65 °C
French Vanilla93 °C
Fresh Cut Grass93 °C
Fresh Linen93 °C
Fresh Mint & Rhubarb87 °C
Fudge93 °C
Gardenia93 °C
Gingerbread93 °C
Green Tea84 °C
Honey95 °C
Hot Apple Pie82 °C
Jasmine95 °C
Juicy Orange70 °C
Lady Million Type93 °C
Lemon76 °C
Lemon Sherbet65 °C
Lilac93 °C
Lime Basil & Mandarin93 °C
Lost Cherry Type93 °C
Mango93 °C
Mango & Papaya69 °C
Mango & Passionfruit–
Marshmallow93 °C
Midnight Passion–
Miss Fragrance93 °C
Mulled Wine93 °C
Nutcracker93 °C
Ocean95 °C
Oud70 °C
Palm Garden93 °C
Parma Violets100 °C
Pear Drop65 °C
Peony Petals93 °C
Pineapple Mango91 °C
Pink Grapefruit65 °C
Plum & Mulberry83 °C
Pomegranate93 °C
Pumpkin Spice78 °C
Raspberry95 °C
Red Apple93 °C
Red Berry & Holly81 °C
Red Roses93 °C
Salted Grapefruit77 °C
Sandalwood Vanilla93 °C
Snowflake70 °C
Strawberry70 °C
Strawberry Bon Bon90 °C
Strawberry Vanilla90 °C
Sugared Berry93 °C
Sun Drenched Apricot Rose93 °C
Sweet Fig93 °C
Sweet Grace Type83 °C
Sweet Mint & Eucalyptus91 °C
Tea Tree84 °C
Teakwood93 °C
Tomato Vine87 °C
Tonka & Tobacco Flower93 °C
Tutti Frutti63 °C
V&R Flowerbomb Type93 °C
Vintage & Vetiver93 °C
Watermelon93 °C
Wild Mint93.°C
Winter Pine93 °C
Winter Spruce100 °C
Wood Sage & Seasalt93 °C
Wood Smoke Vanilla84 °C

Will you be selling your candles?

If you intend to sell your candles (even if on a small scale) and have used candle fragrance, you are required to incorporate safety notices on the labelling and/or packaging. This should include symbols that show the extent of any hazard associated with the use of candle fragrance. These symbols can be found on the internet (through ‘google images’ for example) and also within our CLP sheets (see note below).

Safety Notice

If you have never used Fragrance oils before and/or you have a predisposition to allergies, please ensure you read the safety data sheet (SDS) before purchasing. This document can be found by clicking on the ‘Data Sheets’ tab on each individual product listing.

You may want to consider wearing protective goggles and gloves when handling the fragrance oil, although this is not always necessary providing you are careful; our fragrances oils are highly concentrated. Careful when sniffing the fragrance in its concentrated form, don’t inhale too much as it can be overwhelming.

If you get any fragrance oil on your skin, simply wash it off with soap until there is no residual smell. If you develop any irritation or itching seek medical advice immediately. If you splash any of the oil into your eyes, continuously sprinkle water into your eye for at least 5 to 10 minutes. Obtain medical advice if there remains any discolouration, irritation or soreness.

In the rather unlikely event that you ingest any fragrance oil, then drink some water and/or milk. If you feel any discomfort, seek medical advice.

As much as we recommend involving children in candle making – please make sure they do wear gloves and protective goggles when handling the oils and supervise them at all times ensuring safe handing.

What are SDS & CLP documents?

You will see on the product listings for candle fragrances, reference to two documents. By Law we are required to provide customers with this information. We always recommend having a look at these documents before purchasing any fragrance.

SDS (Safety Data Sheet) – This document provides information as to the composition of the fragrance and warnings with regards to potential risks candle fragrance presents and instructions as to the safe operation and use of these products.

CLP (EU Classification, labelling and Packaging Regulations) – This document provides necessary safety warnings specifically in relation to the transport and handling of the fragrance. Some fragrances are more hazardous than others. Generally speaking, the greater the percentage of concentrated fragrance used, the more hazardous; therefore, the greater the need to check before usage.

36 thoughts on “How To Use Fragrance Oils”

  1. Pingback: Temperature Guidelines – Cosy Owl Blog

  2. Hi
    I’m planning on making a small batch of soya wax melts for my burners, how much oil ml per 100gms wax do I need

    Reply

    1. The amount of fragrance oil you need varies depending on what fragrance load you are wanting to have, we recommend between a 7-10% fragrance load. Therefore you would need to measure out between 7 and 10 grams of fragrance, all candle ingredients are based upon weight so weigh your fragrances don’t base it on ml as most fragrance oils will have a different weight. I hope this helps!

      Reply

  5. Bonjour , je débute , et jai démaré avec d autres site d achat de cire avant de conaitre le votre , je suis perdus dans les différentes explication pour l utilisation huile parfum et la votre tableau . aller on par sur lady million , je dois monté ma cire a + de 93,3 degrés? c est bien sa ? mais j ai un doute a qu elle température incorporé l huile . merci pour vos explications

    Reply

    1. Vous ne feriez pas fondre votre cire à 93,3 ° C mais vous vous assurez que l’huile de parfum est ajoutée à la cire en dessous de cette température. C’est la température à laquelle Lady Million est brûlée et donc le parfum est libéré, donc vous assurer d’ajouter le parfum en dessous de cela signifiera que l’huile de parfum n’est pas gaspillée. J’espère que cela vous aide mais sinon, n’hésitez pas à envoyer un e-mail à l’équipe à enquiries@cosyowl.com

      Reply

  6. Hello so I’ve just come across this after I needed to understand flashpoints for my business planning. So I phoned back in August to try and gain some knowledge the % and on reading the above can you confirm please that by me using 100g of fragrance oil to 1kg wax that this gives me a total fragrance % of 10% as confirmed on the phone the last time that we spoke?

    Reply

  7. also then, while I’m thinking about this. I am currently trying to work out the % that I would use for my candle so if I am to make 2 candles (same fragrance) using only 350g = 6oz in each of wax and I want a 10% fragrance throw how many grams of oil do I need to use for this?

    Reply

  8. Ich habe eine Frage zum Flammpunkt, wenn das Sojawachs nur bis max 65 Grad erhitzt werden soll, aber der Flammpunkt des Öl bei 80 Grad liegt. Ist es trotzdem gut es bei ca 60 Grad dem Wachs beizufügen? Oder wird dadurch die Duft Abgabe eingeschränkt?

    Reply

    1. Sie würden Ihr Wachs nicht auf 80 ° C schmelzen, sondern sicherstellen, dass das Parfümöl dem Wachs unterhalb dieser Temperatur zugesetzt wird. Dies ist die Temperatur, bei der Ihr Duft verbrannt und somit der Duft freigesetzt wird. Wenn Sie also den darunterliegenden Duft hinzufügen, wird das Parfümöl nicht verschwendet. Ich hoffe, dies hilft, aber wenn nicht, senden Sie eine E-Mail an das Team unter enquiries@cosyowl.com

      Reply

    1. The Watermelon flash point is 93.33°C, all flash points are now listed on each fragrance oil for easier finding.

      Reply

  13. Hi, Apricot Rose is not on the list. Please could you tell me the Flash Point for this Fragrance? Thanks

    Reply

    1. The flash points for each fragrance can be found in the individual listing on our website if not found in the list. Our Sweet Mint and Eucalyptus fragrance has a flash point of 93°C.

      Many thanks

      Cosy Owl

      Reply

  14. Hi, Also the fragrance Mint and Eucalyptus is not on this list. Please could you tell me the Flash Point for this fragrance?
    thanks

    Reply

    1. The flash points for each fragrance can be found in the individual listing on our website if not found in the list. Our Sweet Mint and Eucalyptus fragrance has a flash point of 91.5°C.

      Kind regards

      Cosy Owl

      Reply

  15. Super interesting and helpful page on describing the flash point so thank you!! Question, at what temperature should you add the fragrance oil to the melted wax? Does this different between fragrances?

    Thanks

    Reply

    1. Thank you for your feedback.

      Fragrance oils should be added to your mixture at a temperature below the flash point. Some prefer to, once the wax is completely molten, to remove this from the heat source to then add their fragrance and or dye. For example, if your fragrance has a flash point of 65°C, you will want to ensure your wax is at a temperature below this before adding your fragrance.

      Reply

  16. Very informative post! Have just started wax melt making For our handmade business and found this incredibly helpful! Does the IFRA concentration recommendations have anything related to what we have to measure out? I understand the flash points well its just the concentration part of the table that has thrown me!
    Thank you
    Susie

    Reply

    1. The IFRA document shows how much fragrance can be used in a particular product and therefore you will need to use the IFRA document to ascertain how much fragrances to use.

      The IFRA rate for candles and fragrance oils is almost always 100%. Of course, you will not want to use 100% in candles because the IFRA rate is the safety rate not the amount to use. The recommendations for use in candles is between 7%-12%. You will want to covert your percentage to a decimal to calculate how much fragrance to use in the product.

      For example,

      If making 8 candles each using 250g of wax with 7% fragrance,

      250g x 8 = 2000grams of wax

      2000 x 0.07 = 140grams of fragrance

      If you needed to increase the amount of fragrance oil to 12% (the highest recommended amount) these would be your calculations,

      250g x 8 = 2000grams of wax

      2000 x 0.12 = 240grams of fragrance

      Reply

    1. Adding your fragrance to the wax depends upon your fragrance oil and its individual flash point. This needs to be adhered to as every scent has a temperature at which it will start to vaporise and evaporate. If the fragrance is added to the wax when its temperature is above the required flash point you will effectively release all the scent at this stage and therefore your candle when made will have no fragrance to give off. Please see our Fragrance Flash Point section where these are listed for each scent.

      Reply

  19. Hello, if I’m using a fragrance oil with a flash point of 93 °C

    How hot should my soy wax be when I want to add it?

    Reply

    1. The Wax should be at a temperature of 65°C for 4600 Pillar Wax, 60°C for 4105 Container Wax and 55-60°C for 4130 Container wax and 4120 Pillar Wax.

      The flash point is the temperature at which your fragrance will start to vaporise and evaporate. It is generally recommended that you mix most fragrances when the wax is slightly below the temperature indicated in the table provided – this ensures that it binds effectively to the wax to give a good scent throw (poorly bound fragrance won’t throw well and will again result in a less scented candle). However, for fragrances with a flash point lower than 80°C you should mix them at their flash point and below about 70°C you should ensure you stir for a few minutes to aid the binding process.

      Reply

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