7 best massage candles for a romantic night in (that actually boast tonnes of skin benefits – win, win)
Massage candles may not be top of your shopping list right now, but after a year-and-a-half of national lockdowns, aromatherapy massage candles are more popular than ever. In a bid to spice up life in the bedroom, couples up and down the country have been investing massage oil candles in abundance - from the likes of NEOM Organics, LELO and Oskia - as a form of sex life TLC. Sure, you could also invest in sex toys - vibrators, clitoral vibrators, sex toy dice or the like - from online sex toy shops... but massage candles inject luxury and intrigue into your intimate life that other sexual wellness products simply can't.
Are massage candles good for you?
Massage candles are inexpensive, discrete, small in size and can awaken many senses at once when used in foreplay. Plus, the aphrodisiac fragrances and essential oils used within them (think soybean, coconut oil, cocoa butter, French lavender and luxurious jasmine) set the mood for sex like nothing else. And who doesn't love a massage? Exactly.
Oh, and there's more: massage candles boast tonnes of skin benefits. Veteran beauty sleuths unite, because the best massage candles will moisturise and hydrate the skin while you're getting intimate with your partner. Take NEOM's Intensive Skin Treatment Candle, for example. Nourishing cocoa butter has been blended with soybean oil and almond oil to leave skin smooth and silky soft, as well as deliver therapeutic benefits for the mind.
Are massage candles dangerous?
Not if you invest in one of the best massage candles, over massage candles sold by lesser-known (read: a bit dodgy) retailers. If you've not heard of the brand in question, it might be best to bypass, since some massage candles burn at a temperature that could burn your skin. Not ideal.
The massage candles listed below burn at around 38C, which is safe and around the same temperature as a hot bath. Much lower than a bog-standard candle. As such, they don't burn the skin - and since they're made from soy, you're not left having to peel dried wax off your skin.
How to use a massage candle
If you've never introduced a massage candle into the bedroom before, you might be wondering how to go about things safely. After all, winding up with burnt skin is anything but sexy. As well as investing in one of the products we've recommended due to their safe burning temperatures, there are a few other steps to follow.
First up: don't just use your normal scented candle or that summer candle you picked up to make your bedroom smell like a tropical paradise. Please. It might sound obvious, but using a candle from your living room will result in burns. And scarring. And may be a trip to A&E. Do. Not. Do. This.
Let your massage candle burn evenly for around half-an-hour. This'll ensure all of the wax is fully melted, and you won't be left with solid clumps that make a massage difficult to carry out.
Before using the wax, blow out the candle. Soy-based wax won't harden up with the blink of an eye. Instead, it'll remain in liquid form for around 30 minutes after blowing the candle out. This gives you plenty of time to pour it onto your partner's body. Some massage candles even come with a little spatula or brush to make the process of extracting wax from the tin or case much easier.
Where to pour the wax from a massage candle? Somewhere around the neck and shoulders is ideal. Or, given the hydrating powers of soy massage wax, any other area of dry skin which needs a good old moisturise. Where NOT to pour it? Don't, under any circumstances, get wax inside your body. Don't let it drip inside the vagina or onto the labia, unless you want to wind up with a yeast infection.
After more empowering sex content? Head this way for the best lubricants for sex and masturbation, over here for sexy lingerie that'll make you feel a million dollars and in this direction for sex toys for couples to use together.
For more from Glamour UK Commerce Writer Sophie Cockett, follow her on Instagram @sophiecockettx.
What is the best massage oil candle? Keep scrolling for our full edit of the best massage candles on the market.
Best massage candles UK: LELO massage candle
LELO Flickering Touch Massage Candle Vanilla & Creme de Cacao, £24.75, Beauty Bay
Why we love it: Reigning supreme as the best sex toy shop online for luxury sexual wellness products (that are genuinely sleek and stylish) is LELO. They're pretty well versed in skincare, too, and this massage candle acts as proof. It burns at a temperature that feels comfortable to pour onto your body, has a 36-hour burn time and has a delicious scent infused with vanilla and crème de cacao.
Save when you shop for the best massage candles with these Beauty Bay discount codes.
Best massage candles UK: Oskia massage candle
OSKIA Skin Smoothing Massage Candle, £49, LookFantastic
Why we love it: First up: that rose scent. It's heavenly. The candle itself is formulated using beeswax, soybean and coconut oil, as well as skin smoothing vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids that leave the skin feeling beautifully hydrated. We also love that this massage candle has a pouring spout, which makes it incredibly easy and mess-free to use.
Save when you shop for the best massage candles with these LookFantastic discount codes.
Best massage candles UK: Neom massage candle
NEOM Organics Real Luxury Intensive Skin Treatment Candle, £36, LookFantastic
Why we love it: Formulated with dry and stressed skin in mind, this beautiful massage candle combines cocoa butter with soybean oil and almond oil to leave skin smooth and silky soft. Once you blow out the candle, this massage candle quickly cools down to a temperature that's perfect for pouring on skin. It has a pouring spout for ease of use, smells divine and looks very pretty on any bedside table.
Save when you shop for the best massage candles with these LookFantastic discount codes.
Best massage candles UK: Rituals massage candle
Rituals The Ritual of Jing Massage Candle, £23.50, LookFantastic
Why we love it: Releasing the scents of a beautiful combination of essential oils into the air as soon as the wick is lit, this is one of our favourite smelling massage candles in this edit. It's infused with Sacred Wood and Lavender extracts for a heady yet floral fragrance.
Save when you shop for the best massage candles with these LookFantastic discount codes.
Best massage candles UK: MyViv massage candle
My Viv Bergamot Massage Candle, £20, Boots
Why we love it: One of the most affordable massage candles on the market is My Viv's bergamot massage candle which burns at a comfortably low temperature, creating a warm and indulgent oil.
Save when you shop for the best massage candles with these Boots discount codes.
Best massage candles UK: We Are Paradoxx massage candle
We Are Paradoxx Mind Blown Hair and Body Treatment Candle,
£40£30, LookFantasticWhy we love it: Marketed more as a skincare candle than a massage candle, We Are Paradoxx's vegan and cruelty-free massage candle not only to fills the room with its irresistible scent, it can also be used to condition your skin and hair. It boasts notes of bergamot, lavender and eucalyptus and serves up a genuinely spa-like experience. We adore.
Save when you shop for the best massage candles with these LookFantastic discount codes.
Luxury massage candle
Kiki de Montparnasse Large Massage Oil Candle, £93, Farfetch
Why we love it: Got a little more to spend? Make a beeline for this luxury massage candle which exudes notes of bright and floral Japanese Lotus Flower for a truly beautiful fragrance. It melts at just above body temperature and arrives in a gift box.
