Spending hours browsing through our catalog is great fun. However, you don't want to spend hours figuring out how to add your fragrance to your wax mixture. If you want your candle to smell as good as your fragrance pyramid promises, it's important to properly incorporate your fragrance into your wax.
To do this, follow our advice step by step and don't hesitate to use our scent and wax calculator to make your life easier!
What can you use to scent a candle?
With so many options available, what can you use to scent your homemade candle?
Essential oils are not suitable for perfuming wax creations.
Candle fragrances are another popular option for scenting candles. Whether you prefer synthetic fragrances or natural fragrances, you can create unique scents for your home! However, it’s important to choose fragrances that are specifically designed for candles, as traditional fragrances may contain ingredients that don’t burn properly.
So these are the possibilities that are available to you. We will explain its specificities to you.
When should I incorporate perfume?
When talking about perfume, it is important to study its flash point. This indicator represents the temperature at which a substance can ignite. Integrate your perfume at a temperature below its flash point.
Know the flash point of the fragrance
In creating candles and melts, it is ideal to use fragrances that support a flash point of at least 65°C to achieve the best effect.
However, there is a clever way to circumvent this recommendation: you can mix a perfume that supports a lower flash point with one that has a higher flash point, allowing you to reach an average of 65°C or more.
It is important to consider the proportion of each flavor in this mixture. To determine the theoretical flash point of the mixture or expected flash point, here is a simple formula:
(Flash point of perfume 1 * percentage of perfume 1) + (Flash point of perfume 2 * percentage of perfume 2) = Expected flash point.
For example: (50 * 0.6) + (90 * 0.4) = 66 = 66°
Another strategy is to mix the perfume with a substance called isopropyl myristate, in equal proportions, to increase its heat threshold. In this way, one can play with perfume combinations or use an additive like myristate to create unique perfumes or with an even superior olfactory result.
It is important to refer to paragraph 9.1 of your fragrance's safety data sheet to know the flash point . Each fragrance has a different flash point, so it is crucial to take this information into account for successful integration into hot wax. Therefore, integrate your fragrance at a temperature below its flash point.
How Much Fragrance Should I Add to My Wax Blend?
When creating scented candles, it’s essential to determine the correct amount of fragrance to add to your wax to achieve the desired olfactory result. There are two methods for calculating this dosage, and understanding the difference between them will help you choose the most suitable one for your needs.
The Two Methods for Calculating Fragrance Percentage
Method 1: Calculation Based on Total Weight (Wax + Fragrance)
This approach, often used by suppliers, calculates the fragrance percentage relative to the total weight of the candle, which includes both the wax and the fragrance. It simplifies recipes and makes calculations easier for users.
Method 2: Calculation Based on Wax Weight Only
Here, the fragrance percentage is calculated based on the weight of the wax alone, without including the fragrance weight in the calculation. This method is more precise if you want to know the exact fragrance concentration in the wax, following the chemical principles of mixtures.
Calculation Example for a 100g Candle at 10% Fragrance
To better understand the difference between these two methods, let’s take the example of a 100g candle dosed at 10% fragrance.
Method 1: Calculation Based on Total Weight
- Fragrance amount: 100g x 10% = 10g of fragrance
- Wax amount: 100g - 10g = 90g of wax
Your mixture will consist of 90g of wax and 10g of fragrance, with the fragrance representing 10% of the total weight of the candle.
Method 2: Calculation Based on Wax Weight Only
- Fragrance represents 10% of the wax weight.
- Total weight = wax weight + fragrance weight
- Thus, total weight = wax weight + (10% x wax weight) = wax weight x (1 + 10%)
- For a total weight of 100g: wax weight = 100g / 1.10 ≈ 90.9g of wax
- Fragrance amount: 90.9g x 10% ≈ 9.1g of fragrance
Using this method, you’ll use approximately 90.9g of wax and 9.1g of fragrance, with the fragrance representing 10% of the wax weight only.
Which Method Should You Choose?
The difference between these two methods lies in the denominator used for the fragrance percentage calculation: the total candle weight or the wax weight only. If you want a precise fragrance concentration in the wax, Method 2 is the most appropriate as it aligns with the chemical principles of concentration in a mixture.
However, if you prefer a simpler method for your recipes, Method 1 is sufficient and easier to apply.
Recommended Dosage for Your Candles
Several factors can influence the fragrance dosage, such as the fragrance’s olfactory strength and the desired effect. Generally, a candle is dosed at 7% or 10%. It’s important to test each fragrance to find the ideal dosage.
For example, if you choose a 10% dosage for a 100g candle, here’s how to calculate the fragrance amount using both methods:
Method 1:
- Fragrance: 100g x 10% = 10g of fragrance
- Wax: 100g - 10g = 90g of wax
Method 2:
- Wax: 100g / 1.10 ≈ 90.9g of wax
- Fragrance: 90.9g x 10% ≈ 9.1g of fragrance
Example for a 220ml Candle
Here’s how to apply these calculations for a 220ml candle (assuming 1ml ≈ 1g for simplicity):
Method 1:
- Dosage at 7%: 220g x 7% = 15.4g of fragrance
- Wax: 220g - 15.4g = 204.6g of wax
Method 2:
- Wax: 220g / 1.07 ≈ 205.6g of wax
- Fragrance: 205.6g x 7% ≈ 14.4g of fragrance
Note that the fragrance amounts differ slightly depending on the method used, which can affect the fragrance intensity in your candle.
Dosage for Wax Melts
For scented wax melts, the dosage is generally higher than for candles. We recommend a dosage between 10% and 15%. You can use the same calculation formulas based on your preferences.
Use Our Wax and Fragrance Calculator
To simplify the process, we offer a wax & fragrance calculator that will automatically determine the necessary amounts for your production.
In Summary
The choice of method depends on your preferences and needs:
- If you want a precise fragrance concentration in the wax, choose Method 2.
- If you prefer a simple method for your recipes, Method 1 is sufficient.
The key is to understand the differences between the two methods to correctly dose your fragrances and achieve high-quality scented candles.
Allow Your Candles to Cure
For most wax creations, it’s best to let your candles cure for at least 48 hours. Ideally, wait a week before enjoying their full fragrance potential. Avoid lighting or melting them before this time. This allows the fragrance to settle and bond with the wax, ensuring optimal diffusion when burning your creations.
Each fragrance has its own density
This section on density is only useful for large productions in a professional setting (>100 candles approximately).
The density represents the total weight of your perfume for the same volume. The weight can therefore be different from one perfume to another for the same capacity. Knowing the density allows you to consolidate your dosage during large productions.
Find the density in paragraph 9.1 of the MSDS
To find it, consult our safety data sheets and in paragraph 9.1 you will find the density for a temperature of 20°C for the first data and 4°C for the second. Indeed, the ambient temperature, but also the atmospheric pressure can influence the result. This is why you will find 2 values each time, however we consider that the value to consider is always the lowest.
Density in paragraph 9.1 of the MSDS with 4 bestsellers
- Monoï: Density 20°C (d20/4): 0.9820 / 1.0020
- Cotton flower: Density 20°C (d20/4): 0.9110 / 0.9310
- Candy apple: Density 20°C (d20/4): 0.9432 / 0.9632
- Musty: Density 20°C (d20/4): 0.9115 / 0.9315
For example, the fragrance Monoï has a density of 0.9820 .
Understanding the density of a perfume
To better understand, let's take water as an example. Its density is 1, which means that one gram of water corresponds to one milliliter of water. However, this rule does not apply to all products, especially in perfumery.
These conversions are especially useful when you have a 30ml bottle of perfume and you want to know its weight in grams. Let's say, for example, that we have a perfume with a density of 0.95. To get the weight of these 30ml, we simply do: 30 x 0.95 = 28.5 grams. Of course, for simplicity, you can easily empty the bottle into a small bowl and weigh it on a scale!
In perfume creations, it is recommended to always use the same unit of measurement, grams being the easiest to manage. This is where knowing the density becomes useful. For example, if you need 30 exact grams of perfume, you can use the density to ensure that a 30ml bottle will be sufficient. However, the density of perfumes is often closer to 0.9 than 1, so a 30ml bottle will generally not be sufficient.
Density actually indicates the total weight of a perfume for a given volume, meaning that the weight can vary from one perfume to another even if the volume is the same. This information is crucial to ensure accurate dosing during large productions. 
Calculating the weight of a fragrance
You may be wondering how to convert weight to volume and vice versa? Here are the formulas to remember:
- To find the weight: Volume x Density
- To find the volume: Weight / Density
To calculate the total weight of a perfume, you must multiply the volume of your fragrance (for example 30ml) by the density.
- Monoï: 30 * 0.9820 = 29.46g
- Cotton flower: 250 * 0.9110 = 227.75
- Candy apple: 1000 * 0.9432 = 943.2g
- Musty: 5000 * 0.9115 = 4557.5g
The weight of the Monoï perfume in 30ml is therefore 29.46g .
Conclusion
In conclusion, properly incorporating fragrance into your wax mixture is crucial to achieving a scented candle that smells great and lasts. It is important to understand the characteristics of your fragrance , including its density and flash point, to properly dose the fragrance into your wax mixture.
By following the advice given in this article, you can easily calculate the amount of fragrance needed based on the amount of wax used, whether for a candle or scented melts. For soaps, this requires a very different approach that we explain in our dedicated article.
With these simple tips, you can now create personalized scented candles that will fill your home with your favorite fragrance.
