The UK's favourite scented candle has been revealed - is yours on the list?

The most popular scents probably won't come as a surprise, but did you know that Blackberry is on the list of least favourites?

UK's favourite scented candle, Scented candles for Spa and home with green leaves on a pink background
(Image credit: Alexander Donin / Alamy Stock Photo)
Selina Maycock
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published
in News

The UK's favourite scented candle has been revealed as more of us look at ways of making our homes even cosier than before.

Lockdown has made us all look at our homes differently, with many of us spending time both working and relaxing at home it's even more important to create that sanctuary of rest to calm the mind.

And aside from cosying up in front of the fire, under a snuggly blanket, there's nothing quite like the feeling of lighting one of the best scented candles and as we head into Spring, the UK's favourite scented candle fragrance has been revealed. 

Ally Dowsing-Reynolds, co-owner at home décor brand and retailer Dowsing & Reynolds said, "The increase in the cosy living trend reflects our current mindsets; in difficult times, we seek comfort. We’re now exploring sensory ways to create an element of comfort in our homes; it’s not just mood lighting and blankets."

Candles in a Yankee Candle store

(Image credit: Polly Thomas / Alamy Stock Photo)

Ally explained, “Our research shows that three of the top five most-searched scents reflect our desire for comfort, but also the feeling of a relaxing holiday in a sunnier climate. Coconut has high-interest levels and is the ultimate holiday scent. And if you’ve ever taken in the stunning citrus groves of a quaint Mediterranean island, the next most-searched scent, ‘orange’, will take you back there instantly."

Meanwhile, Yankee Candle launched its 2021 scent of the year, Discovery, described as a "scent passport". 

"We’re not surprised to see that Yankee Candle has noticed this yearning for a summer holiday too...Citrus fruits have been incorporated to transport us to Caribbean islands and tropical jungles, while a hint of vanilla grounds and comforts us,” Ally added.

UK's Top 5 favourite scented candles

1. Lavender (3,600 monthly searches)

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This takes the top spot as the UK's favourite candle scent, and it comes as no surprise after the year we've all had as Lavender is a soothing, relaxing scent that has the ability to relieve anxiety, depression, and stress. It is used also to treat headaches and insomnia. 

2. Vanilla (2,400)

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The vanilla candle came in second place overall and this scent is noted for making you feel uplifted, relaxed, or even sensuous. It turns out the sweet scent has been shown to have a strong effect on mood. Another hidden benefit of sweet-scented candles is they curb cravings.

3. Gingerbread  / Orange (1,900)

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Aside from reminding us of Christmas, Used in aromatherapy applications, notes of Ginger Essential Oil are stimulating and warming. It can enhance concentration and can soothe and reduce feelings of stress, sadness, anxiety, lethargy, agitation, dizziness, and fatigue.

And while orange has tied joint third place with Gingerbread, search around the combination of Chocolate Orange Candle has increased by 425% in the last year. Citrus scents like orange, lemon, and grapefruit all have powerful scents that help to brighten the mood and increase concentration.

4.Coconut / Sandalwood (1,600)

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The benefits of coconut include helping you get rid of stress. It's a great relaxant and soothes your mind. It helps treat anxiety and also helps give you peace of mind.

Meanwhile, Sandalwood has a pleasing and captivating aroma that calms the mind and alleviates the worry by relaxing the central nervous system. It is a powerful aid in meditation, and when used topically, its natural astringent properties help firm and tone the appearance of aging skin

5. Cinnamon (1,300)

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Whilst eating cinnamon has been know to decrease food intake and help weight loss by targeting a brain chemical involved in glucose and cholesterol. The scent itself has positive results on our memory.

Cinnamon's scent can boost memory in a task. A small human study suggests that merely smelling cinnamon can improve performance in several types of memory tasks.

UK's favourite scented candles outside the Top 5 but within the Top 10...

  • Coffee / Rose [joint 6th]
  • Eucalyptus [7th]
  • Baby powder/lemon [joint 8th]
  • Amber [9th]
  • Jasmine [10th]

The UK's 5 least favourite scented candles:

  1. Water Lily / Matcha - however, Matcha has seen a 300% search increase in the last twelve months. 
  2. Grass/ Chai Latte
  3. Spiced rum
  4. Olive
  5. Blackberry
Selina Maycock
Selina Maycock

Selina is a Senior Entertainment Writer with more than 16 years of experience in newspapers and magazines. She has covered all things Entertainment for GoodtoKnow, Woman&Home and My Imperfect Life. She has also worked as Senior Family Writer for GoodtoKnow. Before joining Future Publishing, Selina graduated from the University of Sheffield in 2006 with a degree in Journalism. She is fully NCTJ and NCE qualified and has 100wpm shorthand.

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