Do Scented Candles Cause Headaches? Here's What the Research Says

If you've ever blown out a scented candle because it suddenly felt overwhelming, you're not alone.

For some people, it's the fragrance, not the candle itself, that may trigger headaches, migraines, nausea or sensory discomfort.

Research is still evolving, and there isn't a single ingredient that's responsible in every case. Instead, evidence suggests that individual sensitivity plays a significant role, with some people being far more sensitive to airborne fragrance compounds than others.

Let's take a closer look at why.

Researchers believe certain fragrance compounds can affect susceptible individuals differently. When burned, both synthetic fragrance oils and natural essential oils release volatile organic compounds (VOCs). While not all VOCs are harmful, some people are more sensitive to these airborne compounds than others, which may contribute to headaches or sensory discomfort.

Some people can happily burn scented candles all evening, while others may develop symptoms within minutes.

Every scent you encounter is detected by the olfactory nerve, which carries signals directly from your nose to areas of the brain involved in memory, emotion and pain processing. That's why a familiar smell can instantly transport you back to childhood, or, for some people, trigger a headache or feelings of nausea.

Some people naturally have a heightened sensitivity to smells, a condition known as hyperosmia.

While researchers are still learning why this happens, it is commonly associated with migraines, pregnancy, certain neurological conditions and some autoimmune diseases.

During pregnancy, hormonal changes can make everyday scents feel overwhelming, while changes to the immune or nervous system may also affect how the brain processes smells.

When this pathway becomes overstimulated, fragrances that many people barely notice can feel intense or unpleasant.

For people with fragrance sensitivity, airborne fragrance compounds may contribute to headaches, nausea, dizziness or sensory overload. Others may notice no symptoms at all.

It's one of the reasons many people choose fragrance-free products. Not necessarily because they dislike fragrance, but because reducing unnecessary scent can help create a calmer, more comfortable environment.

It's important to remember that everyone's experience is different. A candle one person barely notices may feel far too intense for someone else.

LOOKING FOR FRAGRANCE FREE CANDLES?
Explore our fragrance-free candle collection →

Keep reading to find out more....

IS IT THE WAX ....OR THE FRAGRANCE CAUSING MY HEADACHE?

This is one of the biggest misconceptions surrounding candles.

Many people assume that if a candle gives them a headache, the wax must be responsible. In reality, current evidence suggests the fragrance itself is often the more significant factor for people who are sensitive to smells.

Different waxes burn differently, but the wax alone isn't generally considered the main cause of fragrance-related headaches.

Below is a list of the most common candle waxes and their properties:

	Origin	Key Properties
Soy wax	Plant-based wax	Burns cleanly. Commonly used in natural candles.
Coconut wax	Plant-based wax	Often blended with other natural waxes to improve appearance and performance.
Rapeseed wax	Plant-based wax	Burns cleanly. Often blended with other plant waxes and valued for being sourced from a renewable crop commonly grown in Europe.
Paraffin wax	A petroleum-derived wax	Widely used in candles due to its performance and affordability. Derived from fossil fuels, which raises environmental concerns for some consumers.
Bees wax	Naturally produced by bees.	Burns cleanly and has a naturally subtle honey aroma. Not suitable for vegan products.

Buff Chemistry candles are made using a blend of soy and coconut waxes, hand-blended in our Buff Lab.

✨

CAN SOY WAX CAUSE AN ALLERGY?

A soy allergy is an allergy to soy proteins, rather than the wax itself. Highly refined soy wax contains very little of the protein responsible for allergic reactions, so it isn't generally considered a common trigger. However, if you have a diagnosed soy allergy or concerns about any ingredients, it's always best to seek advice from your healthcare professional before using new products. 

✨

CAN SCENTED CANDLES TRIGGER MIGRAINES IN EVERYONE?

Strong smells are a recognised trigger for some people with migraines, although not everyone is affected.  

✨

ARE ESSENTIAL OILS BETTER THAN FRAGRANCE OILS?

Not always. Essential oils are natural, but they still release aromatic VOCs that can trigger symptoms in people who are sensitive to fragrance.

For some individuals, any scented candle, natural or synthetic, may be problematic.

✨

ARE FRAGRANCE-FREE CANDLES COMPLETELY ODOURLESS?

They contain no added fragrance or essential oils, although some natural waxes may have a very subtle scent of their own.

WHAT ARE ‘VOCS’ AND DO THEY RELATE TO CANDLE SENSITIVITIES? 

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are chemicals that can evaporate into the air. Many everyday products, from paint and cleaning sprays to perfumes and some scented candles, can release VOCs. 

Not all VOCs are harmful at the levels found in consumer products, but some people are more sensitive to certain airborne compounds than others.

WHEN SHOULD I SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE?

Occasional headaches triggered by strong smells are relatively common. However, if headaches become frequent, severe, are accompanied by neurological symptoms, or are affecting your daily life, it's important to speak with a healthcare professional to rule out other causes.

IN SUMMARY:
✓ Some people are more sensitive to fragrance than others.
✓ Strong fragrances can trigger headaches or migraines in susceptible individuals.
✓ Current evidence suggests the fragrance itself is often more relevant than the wax type.
✓ If you enjoy candlelight but find strong scents overwhelming, a fragrance-free candle may be worth trying.

✨

LOOKING FOR FRAGRANCE FREE CANDLES?

If you've discovered that fragrance may be contributing to headaches, migraines or sensory discomfort, switching to a fragrance-free candle could be worth trying.

At Buff Chemistry, we created a collection of fragrance-free candles made with premium soy and coconut wax - designed for people who want the warmth and ambience of candlelight without added fragrance.

Explore our fragrance-free candle collection →

NOTHING UNNECESSARY ADDED.
JUST GOOD CHEMISTRY.

SOURCES & FURTHER READING

This article is intended for general educational purposes and is based on guidance from recognised health organisations and peer-reviewed scientific research.

World Health Organization (WHO) – Indoor air quality guidance: https://www.who.int/teams/environment-climate-change-and-health/air-quality-and-health

NHS – Headaches and migraine information: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/migraine/

American Migraine Foundation – Fragrance sensitivity and migraine: https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/smells-and-migraine/

Steinemann, A. (2016). Fragranced consumer products: Exposures and effects from emissions. Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11869-016-0442-z

International Fragrance Association (IFRA) – Fragrance ingredient safety and standards: https://ifrafragrance.org/

Asthma + Lung UK – Indoor air quality and household triggers:
https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/

Royal College of Physicians – Every Breath We Take: The Lifelong Impact of Air Pollution:
https://www.rcplondon.ac.uk/projects/outputs/every-breath-we-take-lifelong-impact-air-pollution

WebMD – What causes Hyperosmia?
https://www.webmd.com/brain/what-is-hyperosmia

US.Gov - National Centre for Health - Health Information: Soy
 https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/soy?

Cleveland Clinic - Diseases & Conditions : Soy Allergy
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/11320-soy-allergy?