Snug Points
Winter Scents
Not enough scent? A faint “heat” note? A ring of wax clinging to the jar? You’re not imagining it. That’s what 100% essential oil candles and soy wax naturally do – when you know why, they’re a joy to live with. Below is a straightforward, practical guide to what’s happening, how to achieve the best burn, and when another product might be a better match.
Table of Contents
Why Natural Candles Smell Softer – and Why That’s a Good Thing
Natural candles don’t shout – they whisper.
That’s not a flaw; it’s how essential oils behave when they meet real flame and real wax.
Essential oils each have their own pace (AKA. volatility) – bright top notes like citrus lift off quickly, while rich base notes like woods and resins take their time. Soy wax burns cooler than paraffin, which protects those delicate oils from overheating. The result? A scent that’s calmer, closer, and more authentic – not a heavy, room-filling perfume.
Here’s what’s happening:
- Cooler wax = softer scent. Soy’s lower burn temperature means scent molecules evaporate slowly, giving you a clean, subtle aroma rather than a “synthetic blast.”
- Slower melt, smarter scent. Because soy wax melts gradually, some heavier oils don’t all rush into the air at once. They release gently – layer by layer – which is why the scent feels smooth and steady instead of overpowering.
- But there’s a catch: if the flame burns too hot, those same delicate oils can actually burn off before they ever scent the room. That’s why candle care – trimming the wick, keeping drafts away – matters so much.
Bottom line:
Natural = nuanced, true-to-plant, clean scent.
Synthetic = louder, longer throw, but less authenticity.
Why Natural Candles Smell “Warm” or “Toasty”
That faint “heat” smell? Totally normal.
Some essential oils naturally deepen or change tone when warmed, especially woody, spicy, or resin-based oils. Think of it like caramelising sugar – a subtle transformation, not a flaw.
If the warmth becomes too noticeable, your flame’s probably running hot.
Trim your wick to around 5 mm, and your scent will stay balanced – soft, not smoky.
Why “More Oil” Doesn’t Mean More Scent
It’s a common assumption – but in natural candles, more isn’t better.
Adding too much essential oil can actually make the candle smell weaker or burn poorly. Here’s why:
- Soy wax can only hold so much oil before it destabilises.
- Overloading oils makes the wax burn unevenly or even clog the wick.
- And when oils exceed their flash point, they burn off before you ever smell them.
That’s why we test every blend carefully – to find the perfect balance where the wax, wick, and essential oils work in harmony.
Wick sizing: why we stop right before “too hot”
Cooler flame = kinder to essential oils, sometimes with a tunnelling trade-off
We don’t pick smaller wicks to be cautious – we pick the smallest wick that burns evenly without tunnelling in our test environment (22 °C and 45-55% humidity). More about the room climate later, so keep reading.
Why? Because that’s the sweet spot where essential oils stay intact, the wax melts cleanly, and you get a long, soot-free burn.
In cooler or more humid homes, that same wick can behave like an under-wick – the flame burns smaller, the melt pool takes longer to reach the edges, and tunnelling can appear.
Quick fix ritual (takes only 10 seconds)
- First 2-3 burns: keep it lit until the melt pool reaches the glass edge.
- Trim to ~5 mm before each light. Long wick = hotter flame = “heat” smell + soot.
- Keep away from drafts; moving air tilts the flame and overheats the wick shoulder.
We always design to protect scent integrity first – a wick that runs too hot will scorch essential oils and overpower the room with that “heat” smell. A balanced wick keeps your essential oil candles clean, calm, and beautifully aromatic.
Room temperature and humidity matter more than you’d think
Candle performance isn’t just about the wick or wax – it’s also about the weather inside your home.
We test all our candles at 22 °C and 45-55% humidity – the sweet spot where soy wax melts evenly, the scent stays stable, and tunnelling doesn’t happen.
When the room is too cool (below 20 °C), the wax near the glass edges stays solid longer, so the melt pool can’t spread – that’s when tunnelling appears.
When the air is too humid (above 60%), the extra moisture can slightly cool the wax surface and wick area. The flame has to work harder, burns smaller, and may struggle to reach the edges – again, hello tunnelling.
Combine the two – a cool, humid room – and you’ve got the perfect storm for an uneven burn.
The fix? Burn a little longer on the first few uses, aim for a stable indoor temperature (around 22 °C), and if your home runs humid, light your candle in a drier or warmer room for a clean, even melt.
Performance you can count on
What to expect in real candles? Well…
- Scent style: calming and authentic, not “perfume-loud.”
- Best rooms: bedrooms, studies, small lounges, bathrooms.
- Big/open spaces: pair your candle with a diffuser or room spray to set the base level, then enjoy the candle for ambience and close-up notes. (Our natural candles favour clean burn and subtlety over volume. )
| Expect This | Not This |
|---|---|
| Gentle scent that stays close | Room-filling perfume-style intensity |
| Longer, cleaner burn | Fast-melting candle with strong artificial throw |
| Natural variations between blends | Identical scent strength across every candle |
The price question (and why naturals cost more)
Premium in, premium out…
Natural waxes (like soy) and pure essential oils cost more than paraffin and lab-made fragrance; small-batch craft also adds time. That’s why natural candles typically sit at a higher price point – the trade is fewer toxins, a cleaner burn, and materials you can feel good about.
Also worth noting: paraffin, a petroleum by-product, burns hotter and can contribute to soot and air-quality concerns; natural waxes burn cooler and longer.
Essential oils vs. synthetic fragrance (at a glance)
| Feature | Essential Oils in Soy Wax | Synthetic Fragrance in Paraffin |
|---|---|---|
| Scent throw | Subtle, close, plant-true | Stronger, fills larger spaces |
| Heat tolerance | Lower-can smell “toasty” if overheated | Higher-formulated for throw |
| Burn profile | Cooler, cleaner, less soot | Hotter; more soot risk |
| Price | Higher (premium inputs) | Lower to mid |
| Best use | Calm rooms, mindful mood | Big rooms, instant impact |
Natural waxes deliver a gentler fragrance throw due to lower melt temps; synthetics are built for louder diffusion.
Troubleshooting: 30-second fixes
Common issues and quick wins:
- “I barely smell it.” Close doors, move the candle within 1-2 metres, and let it form a full melt pool. For a stronger baseline, run a diffuser or use a room spray; keep the candle for ambience and layered notes.
- “It smells… hot.” Trim the wick to ~5 mm; avoid drafts. If it persists, shorten the session and relight once cooled.
- “It’s tunnelling.” Burn to the edge for the first two sessions. If a rim remains, use a short “foil collar” rescue to reflect heat onto the edges and level the top – then return to normal burning.
Candle Care Checklist
Set up your best burn with these simple hacks:
- Trim wick to ~5 mm before lighting.
- First 2-3 burns: let wax reach the glass edge.
- Keep away from drafts and heat sources.
- Burn 2-4 hours at a time; let it fully cool between sessions.
- Stop at ~1 cm of wax remaining.
Honest expectations = happier experience
Why do people still choose natural candles when there are so many variables and even a few tradeoffs?
If you value cleaner burn, real, plant-derived scent, and a calmer aroma profile, natural candles are a delight. If you want “walk into the room and smell it from the hallway,” layer with a natural reed diffuser or natural room spray. That way you get the impact you want without forcing a candle to be something it isn’t. (Natural candles: cleaner burn and subtler scent; synthetics: stronger and longer-lasting fragrance-your call.)
Why do natural candles cost more?
Natural candles use ingredients grown by nature, not made in a lab. When crops face poor seasons, droughts, or floods, the price of the oils rises – just like food.
Some essential oils also need a lot of plant material to produce even a few drops. Take jasmine absolute – it takes about 8,000 flowers to make 5 ml of oil, which can cost around £24.75.
And some plants, like sandalwood, are protected species. Ethical sourcing means the oil is extracted only from sustainably managed trees – which can cost £34.99 for just 5 ml.
So when you buy a natural candle, you’re paying for purity, responsibility, and the real cost of nature – not fillers, synthetics, or shortcuts.
Do natural candles smell weaker than synthetic ones?
Yes – and that’s actually a good thing. Essential oils release scent gently and naturally, without synthetic amplifiers or chemicals designed to “shout.”
Instead of filling the whole house, they create a calm, close-to-you aroma that’s true to the plant.
If you prefer a stronger scent, try pairing your candle with a diffuser or room spray – same essential oil blends, more throw.
Why does my candle smell different each time I buy it?
Because nature never makes two identical batches.
Essential oils change slightly with each harvest – weather, soil, and season all influence the plant’s oil profile.
That means your candle might smell a touch brighter, warmer, or softer from batch to batch – it’s nature’s signature, not inconsistency.
Why do Snug Scent candles feel different from others?
Because they are. We use 100% soy wax and pure essential oils – no synthetic fragrance, no paraffin, no shortcuts. That’s why they burn cleaner, smell softer, and last longer.
