Is Bath And Body Candle Good?

Bath & Body Works candles are one of the most popular candle brands in America. Known for their signature fragrances, beautiful packaging, and affordability, Bath & Body Works has built a reputation for being the go-to place for candles over the past few decades.

With over 1,600 retail locations across the United States and Canada, Bath & Body Works has made their products accessible to millions of customers. Their candles in particular are top sellers, raking in over $400 million in sales in 2020 alone. The company’s seasonal launches and novelty packaging like the 3-wick candles help drive these impressive numbers.

The popularity of Bath & Body Works candles stems from their ability to turn any room into an inviting, fragrant space. Their wide range of scents appeals to diverse preferences, from fresh and floral to warm and spicy. For many customers, lighting a Bath & Body Works candle has become part of their self-care routine.

Ingredients

Bath & Body Works candles are primarily made from soy wax, essential oils, and fragrance. The soy wax is sourced from American farmers and makes up the base of the candle. Essential oils like lavender, eucalyptus, and lemon are added for scent and aromatherapy benefits. Fragrance oils are also used to achieve specific scents that cannot be derived from essential oils alone. Bath & Body Works states that their candles do not contain paraffin, parabens, phthalates or synthetic dyes.

Overall, the ingredients in Bath & Body Works candles are high quality. The soy wax burns cleanly, while the essential oils and fragrances provide lovely scents. The lack of questionable ingredients like paraffin makes these candles an appealing choice for many consumers.

Scent Variety

Bath & Body Works offers an extensive range of candle scents to suit any preference. With over 100 fragrances available, they have something for everyone. Popular scent categories include fruity, floral, fresh, gourmand, and seasonal. Some of their most iconic and best-selling fragrances include Warm Vanilla Sugar, Japanese Cherry Blossom, Mahogany Teakwood, Twisted Peppermint, and Pumpkin Pecan Waffles.

Bath & Body Works releases new fragrances every season, so there is always something new to discover. For spring and summer, they focus on lighter, brighter scents like Cucumber Melon, Sun-Washed Citrus, and Ocean. Come fall and winter, cozy gourmand scents take center stage, like Leaves, Hot Cocoa & Cream, and The Perfect Christmas. Seasonal scents are available for a limited time only, which makes them even more anticipated each year.

With Bath & Body Works’ incredible variety of scents, you can find a candle tailored to any mood, season, or occasion. Their broad selection ensures candle lovers have plenty of options to explore for years to come.

Burn Time

Bath & Body Works candles are known for their long burn times compared to other brands. On average, their 3-wick candles provide 45-55 hours of burn time. However, there are several factors that can affect the overall burn time:

Wick Type – Bath & Body Works uses a proprietary 3-wick system designed to provide an even, consistent burn. The more wicks a candle has, the quicker the wax pool will melt. Single-wick candles tend to burn slower than 3-wick versions.

Wax Type – Paraffin wax typically lasts longer than soy or vegetable wax. Bath & Body Works uses a blend of paraffin and vegetable wax to balance performance and eco-friendliness. 100% soy candles may burn for less time.

Candle Size – In general, the larger the candle, the longer it will burn. An extra-large 3-wick jar will burn for up to 65 hours while a single-wick mini jar may only burn for 15 hours.

Burning Conditions – Allowing the wax pool to completely melt out on each burn and keeping the candle away from drafts will help maximize burn time. Burning the candle too long or too frequently can shorten its life.

Price

Bath & Body Works candles are very affordably priced compared to many other brands of candles on the market. Their standard 3-wick candles retail for around $25.50 each, though they frequently have sales where you can get them for as low as $12.95 or $15.50. This makes them a great option if you want quality candles at a reasonable price point.

In comparison, other popular candle brands like Yankee Candle, Paddywax, and Voluspa retail between $27 – $30 for a standard single wick candle. Higher end luxury candle brands can cost upwards of $50 or more per candle. So Bath & Body Works falls right in the middle price-wise – offering an elevated candle experience without the premium price tag.

Considering their unique fragrances, strong scent throws, and trendy packaging, Bath & Body Works candles deliver excellent value at their typical sale price of around $15. You’d be hard pressed to find candles of comparable quality at a lower cost from other major brands. The price per ounce is very competitive, especially when they offer their popular sales.

Safety

Bath & Body Works prides itself on following rigorous safety standards for all of its products. The company adheres to regulations set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, FDA, EPA, and other government agencies. Bath & Body Works candles are tested extensively to ensure they meet flammability standards and are safe for use in the home.

That said, as with any open flame product, there are inherent risks if not used properly. It’s important to keep candles away from children, pets, drapes, furniture, or anything else flammable. Never leave a burning candle unattended. Make sure candles are on a stable, heat-resistant surface. Burn candles in a well-ventilated room and trim the wick to 1⁄4 inch before lighting to prevent excess smoke and dripping.

Follow the usage guidelines on the label and extinguish candles when 1⁄2 inch of wax remains to prevent injuries. With reasonable precautions, Bath & Body Works candles can be safely enjoyed.

Reviews

Bath & Body Works candles receive overwhelmingly positive reviews from customers. On their website, most candles have average ratings between 4 and 5 stars out of 5. On consumer review sites like Influenster, many of the most popular candle scents have average ratings of 4.8 or higher. It’s clear that most customers are very satisfied with the performance, scents, and value they get from Bath & Body Works candles.

What do customers like about Bath & Body Works candles? Many reviews mention the excellent throw these candles have – customers are impressed with how well the candles scent a room. The variety of scents also earns praise, with customers appreciating both seasonal limited edition scents as well as the core collection of tried-and-true favorites. Reviewers also comment on the high quality ingredients and clean-burning nature of the candles. Negative reviews are hard to find, but occasionally customers will complain that certain scents are too weak or get burned up too quickly.

Overall, Bath & Body Works candles are a hit with reviewers. Customers rave about the fragrance, value, and performance. While there are some minor complaints about scent strength and burn time for certain candles, most reviews are glowing. It’s clear that Bath & Body Works has perfected the candle-making process to delight their loyal fans.

Comparisons to Other Brands

Bath & Body Works candles stand out from other major candle brands in several ways:

Compared to Yankee Candle, B&BW candles offer a wider variety of scents at more affordable prices. Yankee Candle is known for their classic and long-lasting scents, but can cost $15-30 per candle. B&BW regularly offers candles for under $10 on sale.

In contrast to Voluspa and other luxury candle brands, B&BW provides an extensive scent catalog without the high price tag. While Voluspa candles are praised for their clean-burning soy wax and elegant packaging, their candles cost $30 or more. B&BW allows customers to enjoy a variety of scents at lower prices.

Unlike Ikea and Target candle brands, B&BW focuses heavily on scent development and branding around fragrance. Their candles are designed to fill a room with long-lasting fragrance and come in signature scents like Mahogany Teakwood and Twisted Peppermint.

Compared to Etsy and other handmade candle brands, B&BW offers affordability, availability, and consistency. While handmade candles provide creativity and uniqueness, B&BW candles are accessible at hundreds of stores for reliable, high-quality fragrance.

Environmental Impact

When it comes to sustainability, Bath & Body Works has made some efforts but could do more. The brand offers an in-store recycling program where customers can return used candle jars and get a coupon for free products in exchange. This helps cut down on waste from their popular 3-wick candles. However, the candles themselves are made from paraffin wax which is a byproduct of crude oil refining and not from a renewable resource. The company could consider switching to soy, beeswax or other natural wax alternatives to improve sustainability. The fragrances used in the candles also contain synthetic chemicals as opposed to essential oils. So while the jar recycling program helps, Bath & Body Works still relies heavily on petroleum-based ingredients. More transparency around their supply chain and sourcing would be welcome. For a company built around home fragrance and self-care, adopting more eco-friendly production methods could significantly reduce their environmental impact.

Conclusion

Overall, Bath & Body Works candles provide a quality candle experience at an affordable price point. The candles feature pleasant, long-lasting scents, decent burn times, and attractive labeling and packaging. While not 100% natural or clean-burning like some more expensive candle brands, Bath & Body Works does offer products free from harsh additives and ingredients. The wide variety of regularly rotated seasonal scents keeps the brand feeling fresh and intriguing to returning customers. With accessible pricing and constant promotions, Bath & Body Works candles offer great bang for your buck if you’re looking for an affordable fragranced candle that makes your home smell amazing. Just be mindful of placement near fabrics, trim wicks appropriately, and never leave burning candles unattended.