Best massage candles for a romantic night in

Is your romantic life in need of a little TLC? Honestly, who could blame you? But the good news is, we’ve got an easy place to start. Massage candles might just be the perfect way to bring some intrigue into the bedroom.

They’re physically small and relatively inexpensive to buy but are sensual and luxurious to experience. All you need to do is draw the curtains, play some romantic music, maybe watch a quick YouTube video about technique, and you’ve got the perfect romantic night in for two.

Pouring hot wax on each other might once have been more pain than pleasure, but lots of brands now make candles specially designed to burn at a gentle, body-safe temperature which feels gloriously warm, not stingingly hot.

How we tested the best massage candles

We tested each of these candles over a month and assessed their scent, the moisturising properties of the oil, the ease of use that the candle’s jar provided and the quality of the wax.

There are a few dodgy internet retailers who sell massage candles that burn at a temperature that could burn your skin. All of our picks burn around a safe 38C, which is the same as a hot-ish bath. Any candles which burned too hot, or had hard wax, were immediately discarded.

We poured the wax from each candle at a variety of heights to check that it was nicely piquant from a short distance, or luxuriously warm from a height. It should go without saying, but be sure to read the instructions before you use a massage candle and, of course, don’t leave it unattended. The presence of a fire engine doesn’t usually improve a romantic night in.

The best massage candles for 2024 are:

Yesforlov bewitching massage candle

It’s probably no surprise that the French make some of the best massage candles around – they’re just better at these things. Yesforlov make versions in two scents, bewitching (sweeter) and titillating (spicier). They both come in pourable jars with ceramic lids and Yesforlov claims that the wax will wash out of your bedsheets – helpful because massage candles are rather less sexy if you have to put an old towel down before you start. It also arrived with a variety of lubricant samples, which was a nice touch.

Buy now £34.90, Yesforlov.com

Lelo flickering touch massage candle

When it comes to sex toys, Lelo is well-versed. But, happily, the brand is also clearly very astute when it comes to skincare. The flickering touch candle strikes a perfect balance between sexy and functional. The wax burns at just the right temperature, so it feels safe but sharp when poured close to the skin, or luxuriously warm from higher up.

The scent is rich and sweet without being sickly, and it has a 36-hour burn time. It rivals its more expensive competitors easily. The only thing missing is a spout, which can make handling the wax a little easier, but it’s also perfectly possible to pour without one.

Buy now £29.00, Lelo.com

Oskia rose de mai massage candle

The Oskia candle is more on the skincare end of the massage candle spectrum, with a clean, classic design and a rich rose smell. But not all massage candles need to be heady in their fragrance or overtly sexy in their design. The pouring spout makes using the candle a doddle, and it’s probably the best body oil of all the products we tried. The scent lasts for hours and really promotes soft, supple skin. Oskia is a perfect choice for anyone who would really like to be spending Valentine’s weekend at a spa.

Buy now £53.00, Lookfantastic.com

Neom real luxury intensive skin treatment candle

The Neom massage candle is branded more for skincare than sex. But, happily, it’s equally great for both. The formula is designed with parched skin in mind, using six nourishing oils, including baobab and jojoba, to give your body a big drink. But it’s still perfect for a couple’s massage. It’s got a pourable spout, making life easy, while the oil is rich and burns on the cooler side. It’s also an innocuous-looking candle that could be displayed in plain sight without embarrassing even the most prudish of visitors.

Buy now £46.00, Amazon.co.uk

Elemis massage balm

Admittedly, this isn’t actually a candle. But, if the idea of pouring warm oils on each other is a bit nerve-wracking, this is a lovely way to bring warmth into the massage experience without the risk of pouring wax on your sheets. The scent is light and fresh – more classic than heady – and it comes in a generously sized tube that should see you through several very generous applications.

Buy now £44.00, Elemis.com

Coco de Mer roseravished candle

Coco de Mer are the first and last word in luxury sex and sensuality. The roseravished candle certainly isn’t cheap, but the rose and sandalwood scent is heady and romantic, and the quality of the massage oil is delicious. It comes with a little glass spoon, so if you’re nervous about starting out, you can pour from the spoon rather than directly from the candle. You can also use it to rearrange the wax after usage to keep the level even, which seems to make the candle itself last longer. As with all things Coco, the packaging is elegant enough to sit on your bedside table.

Buy now £40.00, Coco-de-mer.com

Oskia London and Alice Temperley love candle

Proving that sensual products can be light and pretty, rather than always having to be black, red and dungeon-esque, is the Love candle. It’s a collaboration between Temperley London and Oskia, who make some of the loveliest skincare on the market. The scent is so pretty that you might well find people asking what perfume you’re wearing, and it’s wonderfully nourishing on the skin. It’s a very feminine scent, so arguably not the most gender neutral of options, but it’s 2024, so who really minds about that? The pourable spout makes using the candle wonderfully easy.

Buy now £58.00, Oskiaskincare.com

Massage candles FAQs

Are massage candles good for you?

Massage candles often contain essential oils for aromatherapy benefits, as well as ingredients such as vitamin E, shea butter or coconut oil, which can work to smooth and nourish the skin.

What are massage candles?

Massage candles are usually made from soy wax or beeswax (which melts at around 38C, slightly higher than average body temperature) and are blended with cocoa or shea butter, jojoba oil and essential oils. Unlike regular candles, massage candles are safe to use on the skin after they melt.

They also usually come with a unique pouring spout that makes the oil easy to apply to the skin, leaving it moisturised. Many companies have developed massage candles with aromas that are specifically designed to get you and your partner in the mood.

The verdict: Massage candles

It might be a cliché to pick the French product, but if you’re hoping for a romantic night à deux, the Yesforlov candles are the perfect choice. On the other hand, if you’re a beauty junkie looking for a combination of romance and skincare, the Oskia candle is an absolute dream.

To spice things up in the bedroom a little more, why not take a read of our round-up of the best sex toys for couples

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