Candles, diffusers for home décor & aromatherapy

Sheltering in place has piqued consumer interest in home improvement projects, with style and function the prime considerations. Updating home décor is one aspect, and candles and diffusers are among the additions that can make spaces more inviting, comfortable and relaxing.

This is seen in increasing demand for scented candles and diffusers. Besides being decorative, these products offer the benefits of aromatherapy, which is said to help relieve stress, anxiety and depression. In 2020, the scented candles market was valued at $533.5 million and is projected to post a CAGR of 3.3 percent from 2021 to 2028, according to Grand View Research. This is attributed to widening use not only in homes but also in hotels, restaurants, wellness facilities and religious institutions. Based on Mordor Intelligence’s projection, aromatherapy diffusers, meanwhile, are expected to have a 7.98 percent CAGR between 2021 and 2026, riding on the back of the popularity of essential oils, especially those with antibacterial properties.

India produces votives, tea lights, pillars and container candles made from paraffin or soy wax, or combination of both. These may be smokeless, dripless, scented or unscented. Diffusers usually include a holder and aromatic oil. Fragrances that are commonly available in candles and essential oils packed with diffusers include lemongrass, vanilla, rose, jasmine and lavender. Some suppliers offer these products in sets. Here are our choices from Indian companies.

Handcrafted, with diffuser

From Ananya Candles, the GC-AC-100141 set consists of a 15mL bottle of aromatic oil, ceramic burner, metal incense holder, and one scented votive and four scented tealight candles in a paper box. It also includes two packs of 10 incense sticks. The handcrafted off-white candles are made from paraffin wax and have cotton wicks. Available fragrances are lemongrass, vanilla, rose and jasmine. MOQ is 100 sets. Lead time is 30 days.

Soy & paraffin wax

Creative Handmade Candles’ 01 is made from a blend of soy and paraffin waxes and comes in a tin can with a colored sticker. It has a cotton wick held straight by a thin wire. Smokeless and dripless, this container candle emits a watermelon and mint scent and burns for nearly 40 hours. Other fragrances can be specified. Diameter is 3in, height 2.5in and weight about 90g. MOQ is 500 pieces for a 30-day lead time.

Blended fragrances

The model 02 from Creative Handmade Candles is a masala chai candle in a glass jar with a wooden lip. It is made from soy wax, has a cotton wick and releases a fragrance blending of cinnamon, black tea and sweet milk. This 400g candle is smokeless and burns for 40 hours. It is 3in in diameter and 4in in height. An order of at least 100 pieces is required and has a lead time of 30 days.

Fully refined paraffin wax

Oswal International’s model 01 container candle, made from fully refined paraffin wax, is smokeless and dripless. It is off-white and accented with two chocolate bar-like pieces sandwiching the cotton wick and comes in an open glass. Emitted fragrance is chocolate, although vanilla, lavender, Mogra or Arabian jasmine and lemongrass scents are also available. This 9cm-high candle, with an MTL certification, measures 7cm in diameter and weighs 200 to 240g. A soy wax variant is also available. An MOQ of 500 pieces has a 15-day lead time.

Fragrance diffuser

Scentiments Global offers the model 01 fragrance diffuser, which includes a transparent glass bottle with stopper, reed oil and potpourri kept at the bottom and three hollow reed sticks. Other available scents are lavender, lemongrass, rose, vanilla and apple. MOQ is 100 pieces and lead time 30 days.

Embedded silver oak fern leaf

The model 02 is a pillar candle from Scentiments Global made from a blend of paraffin and soy waxes and with a cotton wick. It features a real silver oak fern leaf, emits a natural grassy and leafy fragrance and has a burn time of nearly 35 hours. This 3in-diameter white candle is 4in high. Custom colors, sizes, designs and scents are accepted. MOQ is 100 pieces and lead time 30 days.