Which Candle Scent Is The Most Popular?

Scented candles have become increasingly popular over the past decade, with sales rising year after year. According to recent market reports, the global scented candle market size was valued at $2.31 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.5% from 2023 to 2030.

With the growing demand, there has been an explosion of new and unique candle scents hitting the market. Whereas classic scents like vanilla and lavender remain staple options, consumers today have an enormous variety to choose from. Exciting new scents in fruity, herbal, spicy, and exotic categories are being introduced each season.

But when it comes down to it, which scent reigns supreme in popularity? Let’s explore the candle scent trends and consumer preferences shaping the market.

Most Popular Candle Scents

When it comes to the most popular candle scents, vanilla remains the top seller year after year. According to sales data from leading candle retailers like Candle Delirium (https://www.candledelirium.com/bestsellers/), vanilla makes up over 20% of all candle sales. Other top sellers include fresh linen, lavender, lemon, and clean cotton.

Rounding out the top 10 most popular candle scents are gardenia, jasmine, mahogany teakwood, pumpkin spice, and cinnamon. Many of these relate to relaxing or nostalgic smells that evoke comforting memories and experiences for people.

Vanilla’s consistency as the #1 scent likely relates to its sweet, soothing aroma that appeals to a wide range of people. Fruity and floral scents like lemon, lavender, and jasmine are perennial favorites as well. Seasonal scents like pumpkin spice unsurprisingly see spikes during certain times of the year.

Overall, the most sought after candle scents tend to be familiar, pleasant smells that create an ambiance many find peaceful and comforting. This explains the enduring popularity of vanilla and other top scents year after year.

Why Vanilla is So Popular

Vanilla’s popularity stems from its universally appealing scent that tends to evoke positive emotions in people. Studies have shown that vanilla is consistently ranked as one of the most pleasant scents by people across different ages, genders, and cultural backgrounds.

Research conducted at the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia found that when participants smelled vanillin, the main component of vanilla, it was rated as the most likeable scent out of all the options tested (The World’s Favorite Scent Is Vanilla, According to Science). Participants from different countries including the USA, Germany, China, and Japan all reacted favorably to the vanilla fragrance.

Studies suggest that vanilla triggers positive emotions due to reminding people of food, comfort, and nostalgia. The scent is commonly associated with sweet treats and desserts. Researchers also found that vanilla decreases anxiety and has a calming effect. A study by Manne and Redd demonstrated that smelling vanilla can significantly reduce stress.

Benefits of Vanilla

Vanilla has a variety of health and mood benefits, according to research. The soothing vanilla scent can help reduce anxiety, improve sleep, and elevate mood.

Studies show that vanilla essential oil can reduce anxiety levels in patients undergoing MRI scans, helping them feel calmer (source). Inhaling vanilla may also help lower anxiety and stress more generally.

The scent is known to have sedative effects that can promote higher quality sleep. One study found that vanilla scent helped reduce restless sleeping in hemodialysis patients (source).

Research also links vanilla to an improved mood. Both anxiety and depression levels decreased in a study where participants inhaled vanilla scent daily (source).

So if you’re looking to soothe your mind and relax your body, vanilla candles and essential oils can provide calming health benefits.

Other Soothing Scents

In addition to vanilla, there are many other soothing and relaxing candle scents that people love. Lavender is one of the most popular options, known for its calming and stress-relieving properties. Research has shown that lavender can reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality. The sweet floral aroma creates a peaceful environment perfect for relaxation.

Chamomile is another scent that evokes feelings of tranquility. This herb has been used for centuries to promote relaxation and treat insomnia. Chamomile candle fragrances capture the essence of this gentle blooming flower. The light herbal aroma can provide comfort and lull your senses.

Sandalwood is a warm, rich scent that is both grounding and meditative. Burning a sandalwood candle is perfect for yoga, meditation, or anytime you want to clear your mind. Sandalwood essential oil has been shown to have sedative effects that encourage inner calm. Lighting a sandalwood candle fills the air with its woody, earthy aroma ideal for relaxation.

Popular Fruity Scents

Fruity scents like apple, citrus, and berry have become quite popular for candles in recent years. The fruity aromas are often reminiscent of fresh fruit pies, jam, or crisp autumn days. These nostalgic associations make fruity scents appeal to many candle buyers.

Scents like fresh apple, lemon, and strawberry invoke happy memories and can lift one’s mood. The fruity smells are reminiscent of springs and summers past, evoking nostalgia for carefree, warm-weather days. Just a whiff of a juicy fruit scent can mentally transport someone back to a sunny afternoon spent fruit picking.

In addition to nostalgia, fruity scents are popular for their aroma therapeutic benefits. Citrus scents like lemon, lime, and orange are known to boost energy and mood. They have an uplifting quality from their bright, fresh fragrance. Berries like strawberry and raspberry have a sweet, delicate aroma that can encourage relaxation. Fruity scents in general tend to be uplifting and mood-enhancing.

So with their nostalgic associations and aroma therapeutic qualities, it’s no wonder why fruity candle scents have become a top choice for many. The fruity aromas provide a little slice of summertime that can be enjoyed regardless of the season.

Seasonal Trends

Candle scent preferences often shift with the seasons. During the winter months, people tend to gravitate toward warming, cozy scents like cinnamon, nutmeg, pine, and cedar. These earthy aromas evoke feelings of hygge and remind people of holiday gatherings by the fireplace.

In the spring, floral and fresh fragrances come into bloom, capturing the essence of renewal. Popular spring scents include lilac, rose, lily of the valley, and light citrus. As the weather warms, fruity and tropical scents gain popularity, like coconut, mango, and pineapple.

Summer is the season for oceanic and water-inspired scents. Candles with notes like sea salt, driftwood, water lily, and ocean breeze transport people to the beach and remind them of carefree, sunny days. As autumn approaches, people seek out aromas associated with the flavors of the fall harvest, like pumpkin, apple, cinnamon, and maple.

Following seasonal scent trends is a great way to set a mood or ambiance that matches the current time of year. Brands often release limited edition seasonal collections to align with consumer demand.

Factors Influencing Preferences

Research shows that preferences for candle scents can vary greatly based on demographics like age, gender, and geographic region. According to industry research, age is one of the biggest factors. Younger consumers tend to prefer fruity and sweet scents like apple, watermelon, and vanilla. Middle-aged consumers lean towards more classic scents like lavender and chamomile. And older consumers tend to like clean, fresh scents like linen, cotton, and sea salt.

There are also clear preferences by gender. A market research report found that women predominantly like flowery scents such as jasmine, rose, and lilac. Men lean towards more masculine scents like tobacco, leather, and pine. There are also regional differences, with consumers in colder climates preferring warming scents like cinnamon and baked goods. And those in warmer climates favoring fruity citrus scents.

These demographic factors strongly influence which scents are most popular overall. Companies continuously research consumer preferences to identify the top selling candle fragrances. But within any scent category, age, gender, and location impact which specific notes appeal most to different target markets.

Future Scents

Industry reports predict several growing trends in candle scents in the coming years. There is an expected rise in demand for more complex and novel scents. While traditionally single note scents like vanilla have dominated, consumers are becoming more interested in scents with multiple layers and accords. We’re likely to see more playful, unexpected blends hitting the market.

There is also a forecasted growth in demand for more natural, authentic scents that evoke a sense of the outdoors and earthiness. Scents like pine, cedar and sage are expected to grow in popularity. Consumers are looking for that nostalgic campfire aroma.

Scent trends are also heavily influenced by current events and popular culture. We may see more candles inspired by travel destinations, as people yearn for new experiences. Or candles that evoke feelings of hope and optimism during difficult times. The possibilities are endless.

While classic scents like vanilla will likely remain staples, look for candle companies to start taking more risks and expanding their scent profiles. The goal is to provide consumers with unique sensory experiences through innovative fragrance combinations and high quality natural ingredients.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the most popular candle scents continue to be warm vanilla and other soothing fragrances like lavender and chamomile. The enduring popularity of vanilla can be attributed to its sweet, comforting scent that evokes feelings of relaxation. Other top-selling scents include fresh and fruity fragrances like citrus, berry, and apple during spring and summer months. Seasonal scents like pine and cinnamon are also best-sellers during the fall and winter holiday seasons.

Scented candles have remained a staple home fragrance product for decades thanks to their ability to transform any space through the simple power of scent. Whether looking to add a touch of luxury, evoke a seasonal ambiance, relax after a stressful day, or eliminate odors, there is a scented candle for every preference and purpose. The market continues to expand with new scent innovations, but the core appeal lies in scented candles’ enduring capacity to enhance our environments and moods through fragrance.