Kiecolt-Glaser JK, Graham JE, Malarkey WB, Porter K, Lemeshow S, Glaser R. Olfactory influences on mood and autonomic, endocrine, and immune function. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2008;33(3):328-339. doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2007.11.015 Turek C, Stintzing FC. Stability of essential oils: A review. Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf. 2013;12(1):40-53. doi:10.1111/1541-4337.12006 Scented candles are candles infused with fragrances to release pleasant scents when burned. They are designed to create a soothing and aromatic ambience in your living space. 2. How do Aroma Candles differ from Regular Candles? If you are yet to invest in an essential oil diffuser, then we suggest doing so ASAP. It's the only way you can use this fragrance oil – just a few drops in some water will flood your bedroom with a subtle yet calming smell. We tested this essential oil diffuser along with a Made by Zen diffuser, and to say that we were impressed by the result would be an understatement. It's nice and powerful and anything but subtle, whilst its herbal scent will be sure to soothe wherever it's used. Made by Zen's fragrance oils are made of pure essential oils, and in the case of their Sleep oil, it's lavender, mandarin, patchouli, sage and sandalwood. A fresh combination that will subtly give your bedroom a relaxing and soothing smell (and feel).

Another area that can easily be missed is the candle itself. Most candles you buy on the high street are made of petroleum, this is not a healthy product you really want released into your surroundings. This sweet candle has notes of peony and rose, as well as strawberries and mosses. It's definitely not too sweet, that's for sure. It'd be a great burn for spring or summer days and evenings. Kontaris I, East BS, Wilson DA. Behavioral and neurobiological convergence of odor, mood and emotion: A review. Front Behav Neurosci. 2020;14. doi:10.3389/fnbeh.2020.00035 Cao B, Wei XC, Xu XR, et al. Seeing the unseen of the combination of two natural resins, frankincense and myrrh: Changes in chemical constituents and pharmacological activities. Molecules. 2019;24(17):3076. doi:10.3390/molecules24173076 Wakefield ME. Special treatments. In: Constitutional Facial Acupuncture. Elsevier; 2014:267-276. doi:10.1016/b978-0-7020-4947-7.00008-7This fuss-free essential mist kit comes with a diffuser and a fragrance (of your choice). Simply open the bottom of your diffuser and pop your fragrance inside, and then switch it on. Choose between three intensities – low, medium and high – depending on your room size. The first switch is low, and this means the device will power up every 17 minutes, for just 4 seconds. The medium option makes this diffuser turn on every 12 minutes, for 5 seconds, while the highest intensity will have it working every 10 minutes, for a total of 6 seconds. This essential mist kit is perfect for pet owners as it works to scent your home all day long. We tested it in our bathroom and we love it for ease of use – and for ease of mind that our windowless bathroom always smells good. We say to select one fragrance and buy two or three, to dot around your home. This way, your home will smell the same, everywhere, and all of the time, without worrying about a thing. Sowndhararajan K, Kim S. Influence of fragrances on human psychophysiological activity: With special reference to human electroencephalographic response. Sci Pharm. 2016;84(4):724-751. doi:10.3390/scipharm84040724 This ozonic fragrance offers a natural scent with final impressions of cedar, driftwood and musks. It's well-balanced with lime, ginger and verbena and there's also some bamboo, freesia and ocean breeze accord in there, too. Upon first impression, it's nice and fresh, albeit a tad sweet. The best part about a diffuser, though? The amount of them on the market. Whether you're after a classic reed diffuser, an essential oil diffuser or a nifty electronic diffuser, there are so many options around to suit all budgets and aesthetics. For summer our favourite home fragrance is definitely Skandinavisk's Lempi Candle that's subtly floral and looks as good as it smells. It's poured inside a recycled glass vessel and made from Swedish rapeseed wax.

So, what are the latest and greatest fragrances gracing our scent collection? If you've noticed a transition from ultra-sweet fruity scents to more robust fragrances, we have, too — and it's not just a coincidence. Perfumer Mandy Aftel tells Allure that due to a longing for fresh air and the outdoors in our post-COVID world, there's been a spike in the demand for what she calls "green" notes. These aren't "natural scents," per se, but more so what Aftel describes as fragrances with fresh and herbaceous properties to them — a rather sharp turn from the traditional warmth associated with perfumes for the cooler months. But that doesn't mean we're bidding farewell to our floral fragrances or spicier perfumes for good. There's room for all of them in our collections. For spring, we love Damselfly's Grace Universe Candle. It's perfectly sweet and fresh, and a little warm. Oh, and it's made using coconut wax and is toxic-free. Kawai E, Takeda R, Ota A, et al. Increase in diastolic blood pressure induced by fragrance inhalation of grapefruit essential oil is positively correlated with muscle sympathetic nerve activity. J Physiol Sci. 2020;70:2. doi:10.1186/s12576-020-00733-6The award-winning Scent to Sleep range from Neom is calming in the extreme, making this scented candle the perfect accompaniment to an evening bath – or a great night-time burn for your bedroom. Blending 19 essential oils including English lavender, sweet basil, and jasmine, it’s de-stressing and relaxing, with a longer burn time than most. Soft and dreamy, yet highly effective, it comes from the brand set up by Nicola Elliott, who – after 10 years as a beauty journalist – decided to transform her after-work hobby of aromatherapy into a business in 2005.