How to make gel candles

July 16, 2025

As a lover of all things coffee and aesthetic, my instagram feed is currently filled with those mocha inspired candles that promise to bear a scent with the exact likeness to the cold brew. But did you know that you can make these gel candles at home too- why with fragrance oils of course! Follow along to make such gel wax candles for your next DIY project using Aromachology’s complete guide on how to make gel candles.

Using gel for candles has only recently been discovered, but it has steadily risen in popularity due to the bouncy jelly-like look it gives to candles. Gel candle making honestly requires more patience than making candles with paraffin wax or soy wax, but I promise you that the end product is going to be totally worth it.

What Are Gel Candles?

Difference Between Gel Candles and Wax Candles

We all know about the ‘clear’ difference between gel based candles and candles that are made of solid wax. But one reason why people love to use gel candles is because it allows us to make fancier looking designs.

Types of Gel Used in Candle Making

For the current recipe, look for a gel with medium polymer density, but if you want to make a terrarium inspired candle with plant embeds look for a high polymer density gel.

Pros and Cons of Gel Candles

While gel candle supplies may be a little difficult to find, they do make candles that burn brighter and have good scent retention. However, you cannot use essential oils as freely in gel candles in comparison to candles made with regular wax.

Essential Gel Candle Supplies You’ll Need

Let’s look at some of the gel candle supplies you will need to make your very own DIY candle-

Gel Wax – Choosing the Best Gel Wax for Candles

The type of gel wax to choose depends on how you’re decorating your candle. Still as a total newbie, medium density gel wax is the best gel wax for candles for you. Plus, I would suggest keeping things simple by not adding too much decor stuff in the candles.

Wicks – Zinc Core or Cotton?

Gel wax is not as solid as normal candle wax but is known for burning very slowly, which explains the need for zinc core wicks. Also, in comparison to zinc core wicks, cotton wicks will burn away quickly and will look clumsy in gel candles.

Fragrance Oils and Colorants

For this particular blend, you’re going to need coffee fragrance oil, cinnamon vanilla fragrance oil and peach fragrance oil. A liquid dye in the colour brown will also come in handy.

Containers – Glass Jars, Bowls, Tumblers

For simple candles with no embellishments go for heat resistant glass jars. For more intricate and detailed candles where you need space, bowls are a better suited option.

Embeds and Decorative Elements (Shells, Glitter, Beads)

You do not require any decorative elements for this candle recipe. But we’ll come to that in a bit.

How to Make Gel Candles Step-by-Step

Collected all the ingredients? Then let's get straight to the actual making part.

Step 1 – Prepare the Container and Wick

If you’re reusing an old candle jar, use a microfiber cloth to wipe the jar. Once dry, stick the zinc core wick in the centre.

Step 2 – Melt the Gel Wax Safely

Tie your hair first because it's about to get real hot. Slowly cut about 250 grams of jelly wax into small pieces. Transfer the cut pieces to a boiler little by little and stir with a gentle hand as it liquifies.

Step 3 – Add Color and Fragrance (Temperature Tips)

Turn off the heat and add in 7 drops of coffee fragrance oil, 7 drops of cinnamon vanilla fragrance oil and 5 drops of peach fragrance oil in the gel. Mix and then pour the gel into round and small cubic silicon molds to cool down.

Step 4 – Add Embeds (Optional)

Now we’ll be using soy wax- not for embeds exactly- but for mimicking the look of chocolate syrup and milk. So melt 200 grams of soy wax. Add in the same combination of fragrance oils. In 100 grams of wax add candle dye and set it aside.

Step 5 – Pour the Gel and Set

Here comes the tricky part and you’re literally racing against time here. But don’t panic. Carefully arrange the solid gel blocks and spheres in the glass jar till the top. Pour in the uncolored soy wax first. Tap the candle to let it settle. Next pour in the colored wax and let the candle cool for a day.

Step 6 – Trim Wick and Finish

Trim the wick leaving a small part at the top and voila, your DIY gel candle is ready for use.

Safety Tips for Gel Candle Making

Are Gel Candles Safe? What You Should Know

The first question that people often wonder is-are gel candles safe? You might have thought of the same thing. Yes, gel candles are safe. But it is also that one candle that children should not be making.

Temperature Control and Flash Point Guidelines

Avoid heating the gel after adding the fragrance oil. Make sure that the fragrance oil only makes 7% percent of your total candle weight. Otherwise chances are, that your candle might suddenly burst and that would be a major fire and a health hazard.

Choosing Non-Flammable Embeds

Using plastic flower embeds, gel wax and fragrance oils together is a recipe for a disaster. Only use dried flowers or real shells to make safe candles. You can even use soy wax or beeswax in a mold to make non-toxic candle embeds.

Proper Container Selection and Testing

Not all empty mason jars and thrifted glasses can be repurposed for making gel based candles. You need to have a thick glass container that is also heat resistant for making such candles.

Decorating Ideas and Inspiration for Gel Candles

As we near the end of this blog, let’s quickly take a look at trinkets you can use to decorate your homemade candles-

Beach-Inspired Gel Candles (Shells & Sand)

Use our special oceanic mist fragrance oil to make beach inspired candles that will remind you of all the good times you had during summer vacations. Just don’t forget to stick your shell pieces and sand to the bottom of the candle container.

Holiday-Themed Gel Candles (Christmas, Valentine)

For a holiday inspired gel candle, I would recommend using non-scented soy wax, candle dyes and small tree shaped or a reindeer shaped mold to make the embeds. You can fill the rest of the jar with clear gel and use our mystic noir fragrance oil blend to make a candle that will remind you of a snow globe.

Using Flowers, Fruits, and Colors Creatively

Use dried flower petals and floral scented fragrance oils like our rose paradise fragrance oil in faintly colored gel wax to make spring inspired candles for gifting.

Final Thoughts

Whether you have a maximalist taste for candle decor or like the minimalist look of transparent candles, you can easily make your own scented candles using gel wax. With a really satisfying making process, gel candles are the perfect DIY project to try out for any person who loves candle making.