Tips for Choosing a Safe Lotion Candle

If you haven't heard of a "lotion candle", don't worry. They're a relatively new creation, quickly gaining popularity in the consumer market. While candles used to be considered a strictly pragmatic source of light, nowadays people use them on a daily basis to bring a pleasant scent to their house or to create an atmosphere to relieve tension.

These newly-dubbed "lotion candles" (sometimes called massage oil candles) are another way bringing a pleasant scent into the house, this one offering several other benefits. They do light up the room and create a tension-relieving atmosphere, but they can also be a fantastic form of body lotion and option to massage oil. Thanks to their composition, a real lotion candle has a low melting point (just over a hundred degrees); because of this, they won't burn the skin.

So you've decided you'd like to try one of these candles, but you don't know what to look for? Consider the following when shopping to find a good quality product.

First, look at the ingredients. Since lotion candles are to be used on your body, the FDA requires them to list their ingredients. Without exception, lotion candles are supposed to list all their ingredients on the label. If you can't find the ingredients, you can be sure the crafter isn't complying with those regulations.

Also, check for any manufacturer information on the label. For the same reason as above, the FDA requires some form of contact information to be listed for the consumer's benefit.

Make sure the fragrance used is safe for the skin. Many brands that have offered more traditional candles in the past have started making lotion candles, but if they haven't researched the requirements for a skin-safe body product, it's very possible they're using fragrance oils not safe to apply to your body. This can lead to skin irritation, or even worse.

A good way to test the candle is to see how the candle feel when it's applied to your skin. (Tester candles are a great way to find out without buying.) A true lotion candle won't leave a waxy feel to your skin when you apply it. If it does, chances are the manufacturer is using real candle wax. A real lotion candle will melt into a safe, wax-free moisturizer, leaving your skin feeling soft.

Lotion candles are enjoyable, but do your research ahead of time to make certain the candle you're about to purchase falls within the FDA guidelines for your own safety. Once you're satisfied that it's safe, just sit back and enjoy.