What Are Some Of The Most Popular Candle Scents?

Scented candles have become increasingly popular over the last decade. According to research from Skyquest, the global scented candle market size was valued at $5.5 billion in 2020 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.2% from 2021 to 2028, reaching nearly $10 billion by 2028 (source). The origins of scented candles can be traced back thousands of years to ancient civilizations like Egypt, Rome, and China, who burned wax candles infused with flowers, herbs, and spices. Today, there is a huge variety of scented candle options to choose from. The purpose of this article is to cover some of the most popular scented candle fragrances on the market and provide recommendations to readers looking for their next favorite scent.

Floral Scents

Floral scents like rose, jasmine, lavender, and lilac are among the most popular scents for candles. These fragrances are known for being relaxing and feminine.

According to Rose Gary blog, floral scents are consistently top sellers. In particular, rose-scented candles are extremely popular. One major candle retailer reported rose as its highest selling fragrance for 5 years straight (source).

Lavender and jasmine scents are also customer favorites. A House of Aroma survey found lavender to be the most preferred candle scent, with jasmine coming in second (source). The relaxing properties of these floral fragrances help create a calming atmosphere.

Overall, floral scents like rose, jasmine, lavender, and lilac remain go-to choices for candle lovers looking to fill their homes with beautiful, feminine fragrances.

Fruity Scents

Fruity scents are another extremely popular category of candle fragrances. The sweet and refreshing notes of various fruits can help brighten up any space. Some of the most popular fruity candle scents include:

Citrus

Candles with fresh citrus scents are bright, uplifting, and energizing. Popular citrus fragrances include orange, lemon, grapefruit, and lime. The tangy, zesty aromas are reminiscent of fresh citrus fruits and evoke feelings of sunshine and summer.

Berries

Berries like strawberry, raspberry, and blueberry make for delightfully sweet candle scents. These fruity fragrances smell just like picking fresh berries in the summertime. Berries add a touch of juicy sweetness and youthful energy to any space.

Other Fruits

Tropical fruits like mango and pineapple are trendy candle scents that provide an exotic, vacation-like aroma. Other popular fruit fragrances include apple, peach, and banana. The familiar scents bring back memories of fruit orchards, farmers markets, and fruit desserts.

Bakery Scents

Some of the most comforting and nostalgic candle scents fall into the bakery category. These evoke the aromas of warm cookies, pies, and other sweet treats fresh from the oven. Bakery scents like vanilla, sugar cookie, cinnamon, and pumpkin spice are frequently top sellers, especially during the fall and winter months when people want to make their homes smell like holiday baking.

Vanilla is a universally-loved candle scent that reminds people of baking cookies or cakes. It’s a warm, sweet scent that makes any room feel homier. Sugar cookie and cinnamon bun candles are another bakery scent favorite, as they contain notes of buttery cookie dough, cinnamon, and vanilla. For many, nothing is more quintessentially “homey” than the smell of freshly baked cookies.

Spiced candles like pumpkin spice and snickerdoodle are extra popular during autumn and winter. These scents contain cozy notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves that evoke the flavors of classic holiday recipes. Cinnamon on its own is another candle best-seller, as it’s affordable and complements both foodie and holiday themes.

Overall, bakery-inspired candles are soothing, nostalgic, and bring to mind cherished memories of home cooking and holiday gatherings. Their sweet, spicy aromas offer instant comfort, which is why they tend to be candle favorites year after year.

Herbal Scents

Herbal scents like eucalyptus, chamomile, sage, mint, and thyme are popular for their stress-relieving and sometimes medicinal properties. The crisp, invigorating scent of eucalyptus can help open up sinuses and improve concentration. Chamomile, with its sweet, floral aroma, has a calming effect that can relieve anxiety and help induce sleep. Burning sage is thought to have cleansing effects both physically and spiritually, while the cooling scent of mint provides a refreshing pick-me-up. Thyme, with its herbaceous, woodsy fragrance, evokes a sense of being close to nature. Herbal candle scents are ideal for creating a relaxing ambiance, soothing tired minds, and promoting a general sense of well-being.

Woodsy Scents

Woodsy scents like pine, cedar, sandalwood, and fir tree make for warm, masculine, and outdoorsy candle options. These earthy fragrances evoke the freshness of a forest and are popular for those who want an authentic, natural aroma. Some of the most sought-after woodsy scents in candles include:

• Pine – The scent of pine needles and pinecones recalls time spent camping or hiking through pine forests. Pine scented candles have a bright, crisp aroma.
• Cedarwood – Cedarwood scented candles have a rich, woody, and slightly smoky scent. The aroma is both grounding and uplifting.
• Sandalwood – Often used for meditation, the exotic scent of sandalwood is smooth, creamy, and faintly spicy. Sandalwood candles create a relaxing vibe.
• Fir Tree – Fir tree candle scents smell like freshly cut Christmas trees. They have a refreshing, clean fragrance perfect for winter.

For those who enjoy the great outdoors or want to bring the essence of nature indoors, woodsy scented candles make an excellent choice. The earthy, masculine fragrances pair nicely with rugged home décor and evocative memories of camping trips or mountain retreats.

Spicy Scents

Some of the most popular candle scents feature warm, spicy notes like clove, nutmeg, ginger and pepper. These scents are particularly prevalent in candles marketed for fall and the holiday season.

The scent of clove often evokes thoughts of mulled cider, gingerbread cookies, and other festive baked goods associated with winter celebrations. Clove has a sweet yet spicy aroma that creates a cozy feeling. Clove candles are popular from late fall through Christmas.

Nutmeg is another spice used in baking that translates well to candle scents. Its sweet, warm aroma conjures images of holiday gatherings and seasonal treats. When blended with other seasonal spices like cinnamon, nutmeg candles make for quintessential fall and winter scents.

Ginger is known for its sweet yet zesty fragrance. It adds a vibrant kick to candle scents. Ginger is commonly combined with orange and cinnamon notes in candles designed for Christmas, Thanksgiving, and the fall season.

Finally, the smell of cracked black pepper can provide an intriguingly spicy undertone to seasonal candle blends. Black pepper candles often include complementary scents like pine or cedarwood. The pepper note creates warmth and interest.

Overall, candlemakers frequently incorporate spicy elements like clove, nutmeg, ginger and black pepper to create scents tailored to fall and winter holidays. The cozy, warming aromas evoke the smells of classic baked goods and seasonal spices associated with colder months.

Luxury Scents

Candles with luxury scents evoke a sense of sophistication and opulence. These exotic aromas often come with a higher price tag, but provide an indulgent sensory experience. Popular options in this category include:

Amber – Often described as warm, sweet, slightly powdery and musky. It has a rich scent that conjures images of golden jewels and faraway lands. Amber adds a touch of mystery and romance.

Patchouli – An earthy, musky aroma derived from a plant in the mint family. It has an exotic bouquet that is instantly recognizable. The heavy, sensual fragrance of patchouli evokes a mood of passion.

Musk – This warm, smooth, sweet scent comes from a gland of the male musk deer. It is highly prized in perfumery for its ability to act as a fixative. Musk adds a subtle sexy quality to candle fragrances.

Luxury scents like these create an indulgent ambiance. Their exotic, upscale aromas provide a decadent treat for the senses. They tend to be more complex scents that unfold gradually, keeping the fragrance experience interesting. Though expensive, their superior quality and intoxicating aromas make them worth the splurge.

Trendy Scents

Some of the most popular and trendy candle scents lately have been more unique, quirky, and modern. Brands are getting creative with fun, novel scent combinations to capture the interests of candle lovers.

Seasonal and limited edition scents are very popular right now. Brands create special candle scents for various holidays and seasons like pumpkin spice for fall and pine or peppermint for winter holidays. Limited batch scents drum up interest and excitement.

Bacon and cannabis/CBD candles have been emerging scent trends, appealing to the novelty factor and being a bit taboo. The savory and smokey notes of bacon and the earthy aroma of cannabis make for distinctive scent experiences.

Fruity and citrus blends are also popular for those seeking fresh, upbeat scents. Brands combine fruits like grapefruit, lemon, and berries for summery aromas. Florals and herbs are blended with fruits to round out the scents.

Scent trends follow wider cultural trends, with younger generations especially looking for unique, Instagrammable candle options beyond the basics. The possibilities are endless for candle makers to harness interesting scent combinations.

Source: https://daydreamin.co.uk/blogs/scent-diaries-blog/explore-the-hottest-candle-trends-of-2023

Conclusion

There are many classic and new candle scents to choose from. The most popular categories seem to include floral, fruity, bakery, herbal, woodsy, spicy, luxury, and trendy scents.

When choosing a candle, consider which scents evoke positive memories or feelings for you. Think about when and where you’ll burn the candle to match it with suitable scents. Seasonal scents like pine or pumpkin spice are ideal for certain times of year. Fruity and floral scents work well for spring and summer. Warm bakery scents are perfect for fall and winter.

Candles make wonderful gifts too. If giving one, select scents your recipient will enjoy based on their personality and preferences. An energizing citrus scent for someone upbeat or a relaxing lavender scent for a stressed friend. With so many options, you can find a candle to fit any mood or occasion.