I Asked a Therapist Which Candles Actually Help You Relax—Here’s What She Said

My ideal night includes a hot bath, a cup of tea, a relaxing playlist, and one of the best aromatherapy candles burning next to me. This bath ritual is my tried-and-true way of switching from “busy day mode” to “chill night mode,” and my days just aren’t the same without it. I recently got back from vacation, and even though I tried to recreate the routine in my hotel room, something was off. I couldn’t put my finger on it until I got home and lit the candle next to my bath again—turns out, the aromatherapy piece of my wind-down was doing more work than I realized.

That discovery sent me down a rabbit hole. I reached out to Kiana Shelton, LCSW, with Mindpath Health, to learn more about the benefits of aromatherapy, which scents actually target which results, and—naturally—her picks for the best aromatherapy candles out there. Read on to see how much a scented candle can actually shift your mind. Cart, meet contents.

Featured image by Michelle Nash.

What are the benefits of aromatherapy? 

Aromatherapy activates one of our five senses: smell. By engaging the limbic system, the part of the brain that stores many of our memories and emotions, aromatherapy becomes a genuinely effective way to tap into how we’re feeling.

What should we look for in aromatherapy candles? 

There’s no one-scent-fits-all here—this is your chance to tailor a candle to whatever you actually need. It’s also worth reading labels closely: many candles blend natural ingredients with hidden carcinogenic ones, so what’s inside isn’t always obvious. Your safest bet is a coconut, soy, or beeswax base.

Which scents are optimal for aromatherapy, and what does each one target?

Relaxation: Chamomile, lavender, rose, vetiver and ylang ylang

Energy: Citrus, clary sage, ginger, lemon, orange, peppermint, and sandalwood

Stress relief: Bergamot, lavender, rose and eucalyptus

Best Aromatherapy Candles to Improve Relaxation

Whether you’re winding down before bed or decompressing after a long day, these are the candles to reach for. Lavender, rose, vetiver, and ylang ylang are the hero scents for calming down—don’t wait for a “special occasion” to light them.

The next time a sleepless night is creeping in, light Neom’s Perfect Night’s Sleep candle, or try Maison Louis Marie’s Antidris Lavender Candle if you like your lavender rounded out with eucalyptus. Both set the tone for a genuinely peaceful night.

Rose is feminine and luxurious by nature, and Diptyque’s Roses candle brings a calm, romantic, fresh feeling to a room. Vetiver and ylang ylang lean richer and more grounding; Aesop’s Aromatique Candle is designed to smell like an ancient forest, while Lumira’s Balinese Ylang Ylang is made for pressing pause.

Best Aromatherapy Candles to Improve or Revitalize Energy

Looking for a candle that smells like sunshine? Casa Zuma’s Daybreak candle is exactly that—fresh earth, California citrus, jasmine, cypress, and musk, all designed to keep you focused and energized through the day.

For citrus, try Neom’s Happiness candle; for clary sage, LAFCO’s Clary Sage Absolute Signature Candle (which, worth noting, comes in a genuinely stunning one-of-a-kind vessel). Ginger and cedarwood keep you going, and Apotheke’s Cedarwood Ginger candle will hold your attention all day. Rounding things out is mint—cooler than citrus or ginger, but just as invigorating. Hotel Lobby’s Spa candle blends eucalyptus and mint and doubles as a great meditation companion, not to mention it smells exactly like your favorite spa.

Best Aromatherapy Candles to Decrease Stress 

Inhale, exhale. Bergamot, lavender, rose, and eucalyptus all help take the edge off, so reach for these when things feel like a lot. Salt & Stone’s Bergamot and Hinoki is ideal for creating calm, or opt for Apotheke’s Bergamot Tangerine if you want something a little brighter. Breathwork and meditation pair naturally with a stress-relief candle, so light LAFCO’s Rosemary and Eucalyptus alongside either practice and you’ll feel the shift fast.

Editor’s note: See above for lavender- and rose-scented candles, which also help decrease stress.