You know the feeling, you get to Friday afternoon and your shoulders are as tight as a drum and you just want to find a way to release the tension in your whole body. Well there are healthy ways to achieve this and a soy massage candle is one of the best there is. The warm wax massaged over your back and shoulders will soon have you feeling loose and relaxed. In a few quick steps you can make candles at home to be used in soy massages. These make great gift ideas that people will really appreciate.

Imagine inhaling the relaxing scent of lavender and vanilla as the candle burns and the wax melts. Even the scent of these oils will trigger the metaphysical reactions in your body to start the relaxation process. Light the candle and after about 15 minutes the wax will have melted sufficiently and you will have a nice pool of warm wax ready to begin the massage. At this point you extinguish the candle and let the warm wax, combined with the aromatherapy and the magic of someone’s hands massage the oil across your back, neck shoulders and anywhere else you are feeling tension. It will be only a few seconds before you will start to feel the effects of this amazing form of massage. This is definitely a good reason to make candles at home.

If you aren’t a fan of lavender and vanilla there are plenty of other massage candle scent combinations. Essential oils in candles can aid in your relaxation and they can also invigorate you. As the essential oils, mixed with carrier oil, are absorbed through the skin and into your blood stream they affect your organs and muscles.

It is therefore important to choose your essential oil carefully. What is it you want to achieve?

·         Need to de-stress and relax: Marjoram helps achy muscles, good for tense shoulders and backs

·         Seeking calm and relaxed state: Lavender

·         Have a headache or suffering with insomnia: Lavender or Neroli

·         Looking for a sensual night in: Jasmine helps to create a romantic atmosphere and Sandalwood and Ylang Ylang are both aphrodisiacs

Hopefully, you can see the fantastic benefits to a soy massage candle. I have another benefit for you though; you can quickly and easily make candles at home. If you have cosmetic grade soy candle making materials all you will need is a carrier oil.

Materials needed: Soy wax flakes (cosmetic grade soy wax is preferable), wicks, container, essential oil and carrier oil

Tools needed: Double boiler, thermometer, heat source

Note: cosmetic grade soy candle wax is guaranteed to be free from genetically modified material, to be chemical, herbicide and pesticide free.

One of the ways to create a unique soy candle is in deciding which carrier oil to use. When you make candles at home you can design the perfect massage candle to suit your needs. Carrier oils dilute essential oils and carry the aromatherapy essential oil into your skin. There are plenty of possible carrier oils, from a simple olive oil through to expensive oils like emu oil.

List of a range of carrier oils commercially available.

·         Olive oil

·         Coconut oil

·         Kukui Nut oil

·         Apricot kernel oil

·         Sunflower oil

·         Sandalwood oil

·         Sweet almond oil

·         Jojoba oil

·         Vitamin E oil

·         Emu oil

Just as essential oils have different aromatherapy benefits, carrier oils have different attributes. Emu oil is a natural anti-inflammatory. Vitamin E oil, used by the beauty industry to reduce the signs of ageing, is excellent for the treatment of skin conditions. Sandalwood oil increases your pulse rate and blood pressure and acting as an aphrodisiac. Sweet Almond oil is absorbed very quickly. My preference is for oils that are absorbed quickly and do not leave an oily film on the skin. For example, while Macadamia Nut oil is a carrier oil, I wouldn’t use it in a soy massage candle because it is too thick and leaves an oily residue. For the same reason I tend to stay away from olive oil, avocado oil and pecan oil and instead use sweet almond oil, coconut oil and vitamin E oil. My favorite soy massage candle to make at home uses sweet almond oil and vanilla.

Please only use therapeutic grade essential oils in your soy massage candles. Unlike candle fragrances these essential oils do not contain any synthetic or natural diluting agents. When applying anything to your body you really want to ensure it is chemical free or at least limited in its chemical component. Therapeutic grade essential oils are 100% natural and are distilled in a natural manner as well.

There are many recipes for soy massage candles. This one will get you started making your first basic soy massage candle. Once you see how it all goes together then I encourage you to experiment with your recipe. Try a combination of essential oil, carrier oil and possibly cosmetic butters. The addition of Shea butter or Cocoa butter can really enhance the entire massage experience. Cosmetic butters are used to increase the soothing experience. Shea butter is a moisturizer and is also used for its medicinal properties in the treatment of joint inflammation. Cocoa butter is frequently used in the cosmetic industry due to its moisturizing capabilities. Cocoa butter has a slight fragrance of chocolate and contains natural antioxidants. Mango butter is another possible choice. Mango butter is used in the cosmetics industry to aid in the regeneration of skin cells and to restore elasticity.

How to Make Soy Massage Candles at Home

You will need to measure out your wax and carrier oil in a ration of 3:1, so for 300g of soy wax, use 100ml of carrier oil. Soy massage candles are made just like everyday soy candles with the exception of adding the carrier oil to the melting wax.  For detailed instructions on how to make soy massage candles, including a demonstration video become a member of Make Candles at Home. Here you will be able to access our library of videos, along with handy hints and helpful tips.

I thoroughly recommend using a soy massage candle as a part of your Friday night plans. The relaxing scents of the essential oils, the warm wax and the power of physical touch will all work together to make the working week a distant memory. Just think, the lighting of soy massage candles could be the relaxing end to a stressful week or the sensual beginning of an exciting night.