A massage candle is one of the easiest ways to turn an ordinary night into a spa-level experience at home. You light it for the glow and the aroma, and a few minutes later the melted wax becomes a warm, silky massage oil. No bottles, no cold oil hitting the skin, and no awkward pause to warm it in your hands.
As massage and skincare educators with 20 years in the spa world, we get asked all the time how to use one the right way. Here's our step-by-step guide.
What is a massage candle?
A massage candle is made from skin-friendly waxes and oils that melt at a low temperature. When the candle burns, the top layer melts into a warm pool you can pour straight onto skin. Hugewick Playful Massage Candles are made with soy wax and skin-softening sunflower oil with vitamins A & E, so the melted wax feels like a creamy massage lotion.
A regular household candle is not a massage candle. Standard candles are often made with paraffin, burn hotter and use fragrances that aren't meant to touch skin. Only pour wax from a candle made for massage.
What you'll need
- A massage candle
- A lighter or matches
- An old towel or sheet to lie on
- A warm, quiet room
- About 20 minutes to let the candle melt
Step 1: Set the scene
Lay down a towel, dim the lights and warm up the room. Skin relaxes faster when the body is warm. Put your phone on silent. In the spa, we say the massage starts before anyone touches the skin.
Step 2: Light the candle and wait
Light the candle and let it burn for 15 to 20 minutes, until a pool of melted wax forms across the top. This is a good time to talk, pour a drink or start with a slow back rub.
Step 3: Blow it out and test the temperature
Always blow the candle out before pouring. Then drip a little onto the inside of your wrist. It should feel pleasantly warm, like a heated towel. If it feels too warm, wait a minute and test again. Everyone's comfort level is different.
Step 4: Pour into your hands
Pour a small amount into your palm, about the size of a quarter. Spread it between your hands, then place your hands on your partner's back. As you get comfortable, you can drizzle a thin line of oil directly onto the back or shoulders for a little extra thrill.
Step 5: Massage like a pro
A few techniques we teach in spa training that work just as well at home:
- Start with long, gliding strokes. Use your whole palm and move slowly from the lower back up toward the shoulders. This spreads the oil and helps the body relax.
- Keep one hand in contact. Lifting both hands breaks the moment. When you reach for more oil, leave one hand resting on the skin.
- Slow down. Slower almost always feels better than faster.
- Check in on pressure. Ask "more or less?" once, then follow their lead.
- Avoid the spine. Work the muscles on either side of the spine, never directly on the bone.
Step 6: After the massage
Let any leftover oil soak in. Soy wax and sunflower oil absorb nicely, so there's usually little to wipe away. Put the lid on the tin once it cools. Your candle will harden again and is ready to relight next time.
Massage candle safety tips
- Never pour from a lit candle.
- Always test the temperature on your inner wrist first.
- Avoid the face, eyes and genitals, and skip broken or irritated skin.
- Never leave a burning candle unattended, and keep it away from fabric, pets and children.
- If you have sensitive skin, try a small patch test or choose an unscented candle.
Which scent should you choose?
- Honey Do Me: fresh Honey Do Melon and cucumber
- Lilac Me Softly: soft French lilac and honeysuckle
- Not So Vanilla: vanilla bean and buttercream with a hint of bourbon
- Mai Tai You Up: tropical fruit and rum
- XXX & Oh's: strawberries and cream
- UnSCENTsored: completely fragrance-free for sensitive skin
Ready to try wax play next? Read our FAQ or shop our Waxxx Play Candles.
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