How To Make Massage Candles
A concept so genius, yet so simple that I can’t believe I didn’t come up with it on my own: massage candles. In essence, they’re candles made of wax so pure and nourishing that you can actually use it to moisturize your skin as the candles burn. A gorgeous candle and a luscious moisturizer all in one. I think we’ve just struck gold.
Materials:
1 part natural beeswax or soy wax
1 part natural cocoa butter or shea butter
1 part liquid carrier oil such as sweet almond or jojoba
Essential oils of your choice (I used lavender and ylang ylang; use about 2-5 drops per ounce)
Vessel of choice (I used a 4-oz faceted glass jar – a tin would work as well)
Candle wick (I got mine at a craft store)
Double boiler (I made my own using a medium pot and a metal bowl)
Cheese grater or knife
Wooden stick for mixing
To make:
1. Place your wick into your candle vessel and set aside.
2. Grate your wax and butter, or cut into small pieces. This increases the surface area, allowing your mixture to melt more quickly and evenly.
3. Turn on your double boiler. Over medium heat, gently mix the wax, butter, and carrier oil together with a wooden stick until fully melted. This could take anywhere from 2-10 minutes. Be careful not to mix too quickly, as this could cause air bubbles.
4. Remove from heat, add your essential oils, and mix again.
5. Pour the mixture into your vessel. Add support to hold up your candle wick if necessary – I used two wooden chopsticks.
6. As the mixture cools, you’ll see it turn from a liquid to a solid right in front of your eyes! Mine took about 15 minutes altogether. Leave it alone during the cooling period. Once it has cooled, your candle is ready to be used!
As the candle burns, dip your fingers into the wax (being careful to avoid the flame, of course), and use it to moisturize your skin.
If you try doing this using a regular candle made mostly of hard wax, the wax will harden as soon as it hits your skin. These candles, however, contain a butter and a carrier oil, which soften the overall mixture and help with absorption upon contact with the skin. I’m in love.
Wouldn’t this make a great holiday gift?
Follow Brigette on Instagram, and have a look at her blog and Etsy shop!