Making Massage Candles is similar to making a lotion bar. It’s a certain ratio of fats, waxes and oils. This creates a lotion candle hybrid that supports the flame of a candle.
In our experiments, we designed three recipes that all burned well and created a nice massage product.
Today’s recipe is the least hard and most oily of the three recipes. It would do best in cooler climates or if you like a massage oil that melts into the skin faster.
You will need:
Spoon
Heat Safe Container (Pyrex)
Skin Safe Fragrance oil
C-3 Naturewax Container Blend
Cocoa Butter (natural or deodorized)
Shea Butter
Avocado Oil
Wick
Candle Container (we used the Bramble Berry Candle tins which are just $.40 at their bulk price)
Recipe:
1 part C-3 Naturewax
1 part Cocoa Butter
1 part Avocado Oil
1.25 parts Shea Butter
In ounces, this looks like:
1 ounce C-3 Naturewax (Soy)
1 ounce Cocoa Butter
1 ounce Avocado Oil
1.25 ounces Shea Butter
Fragrance: .25 ounces
ONE: Add 1 ounce of Naturewax and 1 oz of Avocado Oil and 1 oz. of Cocoa Butter to heat safe container.
TWO: Melt in short 45 second bursts in the microwave, stirring between each microwave burst
THREE: Once fully melted, add the Shea Butter to the heated oils and wax. Hint: smaller chunks of Shea Butter melt more quickly than one big chunk.
FOUR: Once the Shea Butter has fully melted, add the skin safe fragrance. Stir in well.
FIVE: Keep stirring until the wax is cool and getting slushy (slightly opaque and appears to be minutes away from setting up). This ensures that the entire batch stays smooth and does not separate in the containers.
Check in tomorrow for a second recipe and also information about wick choice and pouring.
Previous posts on Massage Candles
Day One – Massage Candle Introduction
Day Two – Massage Candle Fine Print
Thank you becky 🙂
Can I use
EcoSoya® Advanced Soy Wax for this tutorial?
Hi Haukur!
You can definitley use the Advanced Soy Wax in massage candles, as well as the Nature Wax C-3!
https://www.brambleberry.com/EcoSoya-Advanced-Soy-Wax-P4698.aspx
https://www.brambleberry.com/Nature-Wax-C-3-P3308.aspx
-Becky with Bramble Berry
I love the recipe! The only two problems I’m having is that my wick is burning out and it seems the wax is only burning in the middle, straight down (tunneling). Am I doing something incorrect?
Thanks!
Use a larger wick and that should solve the issue for you =)
You may have already addressed this, but I wondered if coconut oil could replace cocoa butter in this recipe.
It would work though the balm will be slightly softer than if you were using the cocoa butter.
Thanks. Think I’ll try it…still experimenting.
Hi – I used your recipe for making the massage candle. I live in India in New Delhi and right now it is our winter but some of the feedback is that this is too heavy, too waxy, the residue stays on the body etc. And others with a v dry skin love it! I tried calling so that I can ask for your help – I would like to make a lighter massage candle and don’t know how to adjust the ratio of the ingredients. Hope you will provide me with the guidance I’m looking for. Many thanks
So you’re using Naturewax like the recipe specifies or are you using another product? If you’re using another product, what’s the recipe you’re using exactly?
Here you go: https://www.brambleberry.com/Cocoa-Butter-P3218.aspx
You can always do a search in the upper left hand side for any product as well and that usually brings them up.
I'll go fix the link now. Thanks!
For some reason when i click on that link it says sorry we cannot find that page.
You can buy cocoa butter at brambleberry.com
If you don't use cocoa butter, the recipe will be extremely soft and you might not end up with a very hard candle – more of a semi-solid balm thing that will burn but probably won't be the best texture.
I want to try this candle, but I can't find the cocoa butter! will this candle work just as well without it?
Hi Anon –
I like to use a full 1 ounce of fragrance per pound of wax for candles. But, for a massage product, that would be awfully strong scented so I’d recommend starting out at .5 ounces per pound of oils and waxes and moving up or down from there.
=)
I am sooooo happy to have found your blog! I am testing various recipes for massage candles now and can’t wait to give yours a try! I know that fragrance amounts vary, but what would you suggest as a starting point? So far, the ones I’ve made have very little throw. Than again, since its going on the skin….I don’t want to over do it! Any suggestions on what amount to start with?
They did turn out waxy and greasy, for sure but that’s what you want in a massage oil – a slip that lasts (not one that easily absorbs and leaves you sticky and lurching across the body!) =)
It was a really nice recipe for a massage cream.
How did this turn out, btw? Did it feel waxy or greasy at all?
Definitely! Just make sure it’s a skin safe oil (and any cooking oil should be) and you can sub any liquid oil for the Avocado in the recipe.
I am glad to read that you’re liking the recipe.
Can you use an oil other than Avocado?
This was a very easy recipe. I’m using it on my “test subjects”.
Hi Lisa –
All of the Bramble Berry fragrances are okay for candles. One of them, Pink Grapefruit, smells terrible when burning but it’s fine to use. All of the others range from medium to great throw.
It’s always good to be on the safe side though!
Your massage candle is going to be totally emoliant with that little bit of extra shea. =)
A-M
Hi Anne Marie!
I am under the impression that all skin safe fragrance oils are not appropriate for candle use. Are all of Brambleberry’s fragrance oils safe to use in massage lotion candles?
Tonight I made the recipe you posted but switched out the Avocado Oil with Sweet Almond Oil, fat fingered the shea butter and ended up putting 1.50 ounces instead of 1.25 ounces, and scented it with Tomato Leaf.
I can’t wait to try it tomorrow!
Lisa
This sounds so awesome! could I use ecosoay wax for this? (I have 50# of it!)
I love this project! I can’t wait to try it!
Hi Whitney –
You could substitute Sweet Almonds Oil, Olive Oil or any liquid oil really. It’s mostly about keeping the proportions the same.
A-M
Thanks for covering this topic. I’ve long been a user of lotion candles, but have never thought to add them to my product line. Can you recommend a replacement oil for the avocado oil? I have a few customers that are very allergic. Or maybe one of your other recipes might be without the avocado?
Thanks!
Hi Karina –
Thanks for becoming a regular reader. Be sure to let me know if there’s something you want me to cover in the blog =)
Anne-Marie
Thanks so much AM for sharing this!!
I just came across your awesome blog when doing some research on different soap-making methods.
I will be a regular, and avid reader!