Candle Oil Fragrance: A Good Scent For Incense Sticks?

Incense sticks are a great way to fill your space with captivating scents and create a serene atmosphere. Making your own incense sticks is a fun and creative process that allows you to explore different fragrances and experiment with various blends. You can use essential oils or fragrance oils to scent your incense sticks, but can you use candle oil fragrances?

The answer is yes! You can use CandleScience fragrances to make incense sticks. However, it is important to mix the candle fragrance oil with a carrier oil, such as dipropylene glycol (DPG), to prevent excessive smoking and improve the burn of the incense. DPG is an additive that helps to reduce the black smoke produced by incense sticks and evenly distribute the aromatic ingredients. It is considered safe, but if you prefer a more natural approach, you can create incense sticks without it.

How to make incense sticks with candle oil fragrance

Making incense sticks with candle oil fragrance is a fun and creative process that can be done at home. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make your own scented incense sticks using candle oil fragrance:

Step 1: Prepare Your Work Area

To begin, create a safe and clean workspace. Cover your work surface with a towel or newspaper to protect it from any spills or drips that may occur during the process. This will ensure an organised and mess-free environment for crafting your incense sticks.

Step 2: Gather Your Materials

For this project, you will need the following materials:

• Unscented incense sticks or cones: These will serve as the base for your scented incense.
• Dipropylene Glycol (DPG): DPG is used to reduce the black smoke emitted by burning incense and helps distribute the fragrance evenly.
• Candle Oil Fragrance: Choose your favourite candle oil fragrance to create a customised scent for your incense sticks.
• Small Glass Container: Use a small glass beaker or container for mixing your fragrance.
• Stirring Utensil: A glass rod or wooden spoon can be used for stirring the mixture.
• Measuring Tools: Measuring spoons or a pipette will help you measure precise amounts of each ingredient.

Step 3: Mix the Dipropylene Glycol (DPG) and Fragrance Oil

Using a measuring spoon or pipette, measure out the dipropylene glycol (DPG). The general rule is to use an equal amount of DPG to fragrance oil. For example, if you plan to use 10 drops of candle oil fragrance, mix it with 10 drops of DPG. Add your chosen candle oil fragrance to the DPG in the small container, ensuring that your measuring tools are clean and dry to avoid any cross-contamination of scents.

Step 4: Stir the Mixture

Stir the mixture of DPG and candle oil fragrance thoroughly to ensure that the fragrance is evenly distributed. Use your glass rod or wooden spoon for this step to combine the ingredients properly.

Step 5: Soak the Incense Sticks or Cones

Once your mixture is ready, it's time to apply it to your incense sticks or cones. Fully submerge the incense portion of your sticks or cones in the mixture and let them soak for 24 hours. This step will allow the fragrance to be absorbed into the incense, ensuring that the scent lingers when burned.

Step 6: Air Dry

After the incense sticks or cones have soaked for a full day, remove them from the mixture and place them on a clean, dry surface to air dry. Allow them to dry completely for another 24 hours. This step is crucial, as it ensures that the fragrance oil has fully dried and won't cause any issues when burned.

Step 7: Light and Enjoy

Your homemade incense sticks are now ready to be lit and enjoyed! Burn your incense in a well-ventilated area and let the fragrant smoke fill your space, creating a relaxing and calming atmosphere. The standard burning time for incense sticks is 45-60 minutes, while cones typically burn for 15-20 minutes.

Additional Tips:

• Always exercise caution when handling candle oil fragrances, as they can be potent and may cause skin irritation.
• Label your custom scents for future reference and to avoid confusion.
• Experiment with different candle oil fragrances to create unique scent combinations.
• Store your homemade incense in airtight containers to preserve the fragrance and keep them fresh.
• Natural, unscented incense can be used for a purer experience if you prefer a more subtle aroma.

How to make incense cones with candle oil fragrance

Candle oil fragrance can be used to make incense sticks, so it can be assumed that it can be used for incense cones as well. However, it is important to note that candle fragrance oils are not natural, and essential oils are generally preferred for incense.

To make incense cones with candle oil fragrance, you will need the following ingredients and equipment:

• Blank incense cones
• Candle oil fragrance or a blend of your choice
• Alcohol (denatured alcohol or pure grain alcohol)
• A deep pan, tray, or large jar
• A large spoon with holes, spatula, or strainer
• Baking rack and paper towels

Step 1: Dilute the Fragrance

Mix one part of your chosen candle oil fragrance with two parts of denatured alcohol or pure grain alcohol. The alcohol should be inexpensive and have a percentage of over 40%.

Step 2: Soak the Incense Cones

Pour the diluted fragrance into a tall jar, coffee can, or deep tray. Completely submerge the blank incense cones in the liquid and let them soak for 24 hours.

Step 3: Dry the Cones

After soaking, remove the incense cones from the liquid using a spoon with holes, spatula, or strainer. Place the cones on a baking rack with paper towels underneath to catch any drips, and let them air dry for another 24 hours.

Step 4: Cure and Burn

Once the cones are completely dry, they are ready to be burned and enjoyed. Always exercise caution when burning incense, ensuring proper ventilation and a safe distance from flammable objects and surfaces.

It is important to note that this process is assumed to work for incense cones, based on the process for making incense sticks with candle oil fragrance.

Best essential oils for incense

When making incense sticks, you can use any essential oil, regardless of its benefits or notes profile. However, many people opt for calming, gentle aromas to help evoke relaxation and serenity due to the association of incense with spirituality and higher connections.

Lavender oil

The classic aromas of lavender oil are key for unlocking total relaxation. Sweet and floral with fresh, herbaceous undertones, the powers of lavender can be heavily linked to one of its main constituents - linalool. According to a 2018 study from Japan, linalool can stimulate our olfactory system and produce a calming effect across our bodies. This, in turn, affects our mood, heart rate, and blood pressure to keep us feeling relaxed.

Amyris essential oil

Sometimes called "West Indian sandalwood", amyris essential oil has earned a lot of popularity as a substitute for the aromas of traditional sandalwood. Amyris is a gentle, calming oil with the ability to reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, or restlessness. Many people also like to use it as a sleep aid due to its positive effects against insomnia.

Neroli oil

Fresh and delicate, neroli oil is viewed as an aphrodisiac in many cultures. Neroli has a unique ability to calm nerves and evoke confidence after being inhaled. This is said to be a result of its effects on our salivary cortisol levels – otherwise known as stress hormones. Neroli oil can trigger lower levels of cortisol as well as higher levels of serotonin, providing the perfect balance between peace and happiness.

Patchouli oil

Patchouli oil is perhaps most famously associated with the "Hippie culture" of the 1970s – a time period when the use of incense in the West also rose significantly. Because of this modern connection, many people enjoy combining the scents of patchouli with natural incense. Additionally, patchouli oil is known for having a powerful effect on hormone levels, encouraging a greater release of serotonin and dopamine that can dispel negative emotions.

Geranium oil

Floral geranium oil is a good alternative to popular essential oils like lavender, with a greater likeness to rose and similar delicate scents. Geranium is also highly effective against symptoms of anxiety or stress. A 2015 study successfully noted its benefits against the worries of women in labour.

Cinnamon essential oil

If spicy essential oils are your preference, cinnamon essential oil is a popular choice for scenting incense sticks and complimenting their earthy aromas. Cinnamon has also been scientifically linked to stress relief and sounder, deeper sleep, making it a great choice for burning toward the end of the day.

Other essential oils

Other popular essential oils for incense include cedarwood, palo santo, rose, ginger, lemongrass, vetiver, nutmeg, cedar, jasmine, ylang ylang, peppermint, orange, frankincense, fir needle, cedarwood atlas, rosemary, star anise, clove, and bergamot.

How to sell homemade incense

Making your own incense is a meditative process, and there are many ways to sell your homemade incense products. Here is a guide on how to sell your homemade incense:

Step 1: Choose your ingredients

Firstly, decide on the ingredients you will use to make your incense. Traditional Chinese incense uses powders only, no essential oils. However, modern Chinese incense makers often experiment with essential oils, so you can substitute some powders for oils if you wish.

For beginners, it is recommended to start simple: sandalwood and 2-3 other types of powders is a good starting point. You can use resins such as frankincense or myrrh, but these should be used sparingly.

Step 2: Prepare your blend

Every incense starts with a blend. Blending natural incense is a complex topic, but generally, you will need to mix your chosen powders and/or oils together thoroughly. You can use a spoon or chopsticks to do this.

Step 3: Form your incense

Once your blend is ready, you can form the incense into sticks. For small batches, you can roll the blend into thin sticks by hand, or use an incense squeezing syringe. For larger batches, you can use larger incense squeezing equipment.

Step 4: Dry your incense

Place your incense sticks onto a drying screen. Depending on the temperature and humidity of your environment, the incense sticks will take 1-3 days to dry. In warmer weather, they may dry overnight, whereas in cooler weather, they may take up to 2 days to dry.

Step 5: Determine your business type

Now that you have your product, you need to decide how you will sell it. You could choose to sell directly to the public (retail-only), or you could sell to other retailers (wholesale-only). Alternatively, you could do a combination of both.

Step 6: Target a niche

Not all incense is the same, so you should target a specific niche. You could sell incense for spiritual or religious purposes, classic incense, eco-friendly incense, or luxury incense, for example. Keep your ideal customer base in mind when making this decision.

Step 7: Choose your sales method

You could sell your incense online or in person. If you choose to sell online, you will need to purchase a domain name and an all-in-one e-commerce solution, such as Big Commerce or Core Commerce.

If you would prefer to sell your incense in person, you could buy or lease a storefront, mall kiosk, or booth at a craft fair or flea market. Some farmers' markets may also allow you to sell incense, especially if it is handmade locally.

Step 8: Store your incense

Incense typically comes in long resealable plastic bags or thin boxes, so you will need a clean, spare area to store your stock. Plastic storage totes, a closet, or unused drawers are all suitable options. Make sure you keep your incense out of sunlight and away from heat.

Step 9: Market your incense

There are several ways to market your incense. You could start a blog, join social networks, or place ads on spiritual and religious forums. You could also hand out samples of your incense, as these are inexpensive and will give potential customers a taste of your product.

Good luck with your new incense business!

History of incense

The use of incense dates back to biblical times and is believed to have originated in Egypt, where aromatic trees were imported from Arabia for religious ceremonies. The Babylonians also used incense while offering prayers to divine oracles, and evidence of incense burners has been found in the Indus Valley Civilisation. The oldest textual source on incense is the Vedas, specifically the Atharvaveda and the Rigveda.

Incense was also used in Ancient China, where it was employed in numerous formalized ceremonial rites. The earliest recorded use of incense in human history was in ancient China, and the character for incense or aromatics dates back to the Shang Dynasty (c. 1600–1050 BCE). The first known Chinese book about aromatics was Blended Incense Recipes, written by the historian and politician Fan Ye in the Northern and Southern Dynasty, around 430 CE.

Incense spread from China to Japan via Buddhism and the Buddhist priest Ganjin in 754 CE. In Japan, incense was initially used for medical purposes, with people burning medical incense to generate fragrances. However, it later became a source of amusement and entertainment for nobles in the Imperial Court during the Heian Era.

In the medieval world of the Far East, there was little distinction between drugs, spices, perfumes, and incense. Incense was used for divine blessings, healing powers, exotic flavouring, and to make the user attractive to the opposite sex.

Incense is still widely used in religious ceremonies all across the world, including in Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, and Taoism.

Frequently asked questions