At What Temperature Do You Add Fragrance to Candle Wax?

For most waxes, including soy and paraffin, the target range is 180 to 185°F. This gives the fragrance enough heat to incorporate evenly without burning off. Adding fragrance at a lower temperature is possible, but requires more mixing time to achieve an even distribution. Always check your specific wax manufacturer's instructions first, as some blends have their own recommended windows.

Flash point is often misunderstood in candlemaking. The main time you need to be concerned about flash point is when working with gel waxes. In those cases, only use fragrance oils with a flash point of 170°F or higher.

It’s a common myth that fragrances with a low flash point will “flash off” and fade in a candle. All products have a flash point, and it’s primarily used for shipping and storage safety. Fragrance oils should not be stored near heat sources that could reach their flash point temperature.

Once a fragrance oil is mixed into wax, the overall flash point increases because the oil is diluted with the wax. Whether a fragrance lasts well in a candle depends more on the ingredients used and the skill of the fragrance chemist. The best way to know how a fragrance performs is through testing, which is why Bramble Berry tests all of its fragrance oils in candles to help makers choose the best options for their creations.