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Posted in Essential Oil Basics by Rocky Mountain Oils

Essential Oils vs Candles; Which is Better?

Recent studies have shown that candles may have hidden dangers.

We go in depth into the world of essential oils vs. candles and compare the health concerns, longevity, cost, safey, and scent pros and cons.

Our sense of smell is one of our most powerful senses, which is why many of us love lighting a candle or diffusing essential oils. The powerful effect of fragrance can instantly create a desired atmosphere or mood. For thousands of years, we have been burning candles first for light and warmth and then transitioning into scent. Our desire for scented candles has exploded, with many popular stores selling candles for every season, holiday, and mood. But are candles the best way to make your home smell good? 

The Great Scent Debate 

Aromatherapy has continued to gain popularity over the last few decades leading many people to choose essential oils over scented candles. You may be asking, “Are essential oils worth all the hype?” or “Which is the better option?”. Let’s dig into 5 reasons why you will want to be replacing your candle collection with pure essential oils! 

5 Reasons To Switch to Essential Oils

1. Toxins 

Fragranced products, including candles, certainly make your home smell delightful, but there are many downsides to those yummy fragrances. Fragrances have been linked to many health risks classified as allergens, hormone disrupters, and asthma triggers. These toxins or VOCs are released and breathed into your lungs when you light a candle. 

Diffusing 100% pure essential oils not only allows you to enjoy your desired scents without the health risks, but they also provide many health-enhancing benefits! Not all essential oils are made equal. Be sure to only diffuse 100% pure essential oils with no adulterants.

2. Longevity 

While we agree that candles can provide a certain aesthetic, wax-made items are not made for long-term use. A typical 8-ounce candle will burn out in about 40 to 50 hours. 

On the other hand, our essential oils come in bottles of 5ml to 15ml sizes, containing anywhere from 83 to 250 drops. Using an average diffuser with a “constant use” run time of about 8 hours, 8 drops from our 5ml Pumpkin Spice Latte Blend would last you more than 10 full diffuser sessions. Doing some quick math, this would mean that a 5ml essential bottle would have a total of about 83 hours of run time, having the average candle’s run time’s record already beat. 

*Helpful tip: Want your favorite scent to last you longer? Turn your diffuser setting to “interval use” and enjoy 10-14 hours of run time with no additional oil drops needed.

3. Cost

It is easy to think that purchasing candles is the cheaper option. Candles have a wide range of costs, some even $1 (looking at you Target dollar spot!). The majority of candles average around $25 range, while it may seem inexpensive, each candle only gives you one scent option. This quickly adds up as you buy different scents and replace your candles. 

While choosing a diffuser and essential oils may seem more expensive; it can be the most cost-effective! A diffuser will last for years, and the aroma of essential oils can be stretched much further, and you can combine any of your essential oils for customized scents. 

Pumpkin Spice Latte Essential Oil vs. Pumpkin Spice Latte Candle 

Pumpkin Spice Latte Essential Oil vs. Pumpkin Spice Latte Candle

Tranquility Essential Oil vs. Midnight Blue Citrus Candle

Tranquility Essential Oil vs. Midnight Blue Citrus Candle

4. Safety 

While an open flame may create a certain ambiance, it is not the safest idea. If you have children or pets, you may worry about the fire itself, the heat from the flame, or even the glass of the jar if it were to break. The open flame also means candles are unsafe when not attended to, leaving us to blow them out before bed. 

Diffusing essential oils require no heat, and you can leave it unattended without needing to worry. This also allows you to experience the benefits of aromatherapy while you are asleep! 

5. Scent Flexibility 

There are so many candles that smell absolutely amazing. But when you buy a candle, it only offers the one scent you chose. If you want another scent, you need to buy another candle. Also, another thing to think about is your candle never has the same scent as the first time you light it. This is because when you burn a candle, the fragance burns through, and you are left with scentless wax to dry when you blow it out. When you relight the candle, the scentless wax now has to mix with the scented wax, and you never get the same potent scent again.

Essential oils allow you to create any scent your heart desires. Just a few different essential oils can create a wide range of different aromas! You are in control. If you create something you don’t particularly like, you aren’t stuck with that scent forever, you can simply start over and create something else. Diffusing essential oils also means you never have to lose the potency of that amazing scent ever again!

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