Is Candle Wax Bad for Your Skin? (Explained)

Wax has been used on the body for centuries. But candle wax is only good for the skin under certain conditions. 

You must consider all of the ingredients in your candle wax before applying it to your skin. Temperature is another factor that can make candle wax bad for your skin if you aren’t careful. 

Keep reading to learn more about candle wax and how to safely use it for your skin.

How Is Wax Used on the Skin?

Wax has been used for various treatments while at home or at the spa for decades. There are three primary ways that wax is used on the skin:

• Hair removal 
• Cosmetic treatments
• Massage

Hair Removal

Various hair removal methods, like sugaring, date back to ancient Egyptian and Mesopotamian societies.

Also referred to as epilation, the hair removal methods they used were very similar to waxing. Wax was first used for hair removal during the 1960s. Cultural shifts necessitated hair removal as modern fashion exposed more skin.

Wax is still a popular hair removal option in the present day. Women use waxing to remove unwanted hair from their legs and armpits. It’s also a go-to option for removing hair along the bikini line. Men continue to remove chest, back, armpit, and leg hair from their bodies with wax.

Cosmetic Treatments

Paraffin wax is often used as a skin softening treatment, usually on the feet and hands.

Melted paraffin wax is also applied to stiff joints and muscles. Its warmth helps calm and soothe muscle and joint pain. Paraffin wax facials help moisturize the skin.

Wax Massage

When used for massage, skin safe wax is blended with nut butters, like shea or cocoa butter.

After the wax fully pools in the container, it can be poured onto the skin for a relaxing massage. An example of this is demonstrated in the video below.

Please note that it’s best to extinguish the flame before pouring out the wax.

Can You Use Candle Wax on the Skin?

Not all human skin is the same so the answer to this question will differ by person. There are internal and external conditions that create different skin types.

The main four skin types are normal, dry, oily, and sensitive. Medical conditions like diabetes, skin disorders, like eczema, or naturally sensitive skin may not respond well to candle wax.

Therefore, people will react differently to wax treatments. Keep in mind that different parts of the same body can be more or less sensitive to wax and/or heat as well. 

Broadly speaking, natural candle wax is safe to use on your skin. This includes beeswax, soy wax, palm wax, and coconut wax. But wax type isn’t the only factor to contemplate when considering safety. 

Wax temperature, and the presence of candle dyes, fragrances, and additives all play a role as well.

Wax Temperature

To avoid burning your skin, choose a wax that has a melting point below 125°F (52°C). Never apply wax to your skin that’s higher than this temperature. It’s a good idea to test a small amount on your skin before pouring wax over a large area of your body.

Candle Dyes

Dyes can cause allergic reactions for those with sensitive skin. And oftentimes, there’s no way of knowing what exactly is used to make each color. You probably wouldn’t want to smear colored wax on your skin?

Fragrance Oils

All natural essential oil fragrances are safe to use on your skin in moderation. If there’s a small percentage of essential oils in a wax mixture, irritation is unlikely.

But refrain from using candle wax that’s been scented with synthetic fragrance oils. They can cause itching and swelling.

Candle Additives

Some wax blends incorporate additives to help the wax harden or appear more smooth.

Additives like stearic acid can increase the melting point and cause skin irritation. Be certain to read all of the ingredients before pouring wax onto your skin. 

Massage Candles Can Be Good for Your Skin

Created for use on the body, massage candles are gentle and spread nicely on the skin.

They’re usually made with soy, coconut, or spa grade paraffin wax. More often, massage candles are wax blends that contain essential oils and soft butters for optimal skin hydration.

You can purchase them or make them yourself. Here’s a massage candle DIY demonstration:

While I am all for a good DIY project, sometimes it’s best to try an existing product in order to get a feel for it and whether you’d actually like to use it before making your own.

Takeaway

1. If you own all natural aromatherapy candles, and you are certain that there aren’t any synthetic ingredients mixed into the wax, then you can melt the wax and use it on your skin.
2. I think that colorful candles made with fragrance oil blends, like the ones you get from Bath & Body Works or Yankee Candle would be bad for your skin. There are dyes and additives in them that can cause irritation.
3. If you’re leery about using candle wax on your skin, you can try massage oil candles, which are absolutely skin safe.

Candle Wax That Can Be Good for Your Skin

In case you’d like some direction in choosing candle wax that’s good for your skin, I thought I’d share some aromatherapy and soy wax-based massage oil candles that you may find helpful. 

Sanari Organic Aromatherapy Candle

Earlier this morning I tested this candle on my skin, and it felt lovely. The melted wax was velvety to the touch and was easily absorbed. My hand felt well moisturized, though this was only my first application. I would have to use it more deliberately and with more frequency to report long term benefits. 

I lit their Fiore candle, which primarily smells like gardenia and rose. Fruity notes, mango, pear, and berry blossoms are also noticeable. Coconut and Tonka bean add to the creaminess of this fragrance.

What makes this candle wax ideal for your skin:

• Sanari candles are 100% organic
• Organic coconut wax is blended with natural soy wax (Non-GMO)
• Scented with 100% pure essential oils, which means no harmful synthetic fragrance oils
• No harmful colorants

This is a 100% plant-based candle that can nourish your skin. There are a dozen fragrances to choose from. It’s an 8.5 oz candle in a reusable glass container, and it burns for up to 45 hours.

== Check Price on Amazon ==

Ansoyer Massage Oil Candle

Made of 80% soy wax, this candle was made using all natural ingredients.

Jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, hemp seed oil, coconut wax, vitamin E, and shea butter all help soften the wax and reduce its melting point.

This blend not only makes it more spreadable and absorbent, but having a lower melting point makes the heat more bearable when applied to the skin.

It’s a moisturizing formula that keeps your skin supple for at least 24 hours.

While it only needs to burn for 20 minutes before use, I’d suggest allowing a full pool of wax to form before pouring in order to avoid tunneling. 

This vegan and cruelty-free candle is safe for your skin for a number of reasons:

• Made with all natural ingredients
• Low melting point
• Nifty pouring spout
• No chemical dyes
• Natural pomegranate fragrance

In addition to body massage, this melted wax can be used for foot or hand treatments, or as an overnight skin moisturizer. It’s an 8.1 oz candle in a reusable ceramic jar.

== Check Price on Amazon ==

Jimmy Jane Afterglow Massage Oil Candle

Another soy wax candle, this one also combines jojoba oil, shea butter, aloe, and vitamin E. They create a silky mixture of ingredients that can moisturize your skin and help you relax.

This particular fragrance is Velvet Spice. Fragrance notes include: clove, nutmeg, oriental wood, amber, and carrot seed.

What makes this candle skin-appealing:

• Dye-free
• Subtle pouring spout 
• All natural ingredients
• Low melting point

This is an 8 oz candle in a reusable ceramic container that burns for up to 32 hours.

== Check Price on Amazon ==

Designed by Shanti Massage Oil Candle

Another spouted, reusable ceramic jar, this one holds 8 oz of candle wax.

In addition to being a massage oil candle, you can choose to use it as a scented candle or natural body balm. Shea butter, hemp seed oil, sweet almond oil, and Vitamin E are added to a soy and coconut wax blend – all of which are quickly absorbed by your skin.

Skin-worthy highlights:

• Larger spout for targeted pouring
• Low melting point
• Use of essential oils
• All natural ingredients
• No dyes or additives

This tranquil aromatherapy candle smells like the sweet and elegant calla lily.

== Check Price on Amazon ==

In Conclusion

If your skin is already irritated by hives, acne, an open wound, or any other ailment, candle wax should not be used until that condition has cleared up. 

Otherwise, natural candle wax can be good for your skin if used with care. Be cautious about the wax’s temperature, ingredients, and types of fragrances used.

You may want to try out massage candles specifically made for skin before making your own.