Yes. Up to 10%.
Kerasoy 4130 is specifically formulated to hold fragrance oil. Up to 10% load, which is higher than most natural waxes.
But "can hold" and "should use" aren't the same thing. Here's what actually works.
The Sweet Spot: 8%
Most candle makers settle on 8% fragrance load. Here's why:
- 10% - Maximum. Strong scent, but can cause sweating in warm rooms. Some fragrances separate at this level.
- 8% - Reliable. Excellent hot throw, no sweating issues, works with most fragrance oils.
- 6% - Light. Good for subtle scents or if you're sensitive to strong fragrances.
For a 1kg batch at 8%, that's 80g of fragrance oil.
Temperature Matters
Add fragrance at around 75°C. Not at full melting temperature (too hot - the volatile top notes evaporate) and not when it's starting to set (won't bind properly).
Stir for a full 2 minutes. Fragrance oil doesn't just disappear into wax - it needs time to bind to the wax molecules.
What About Essential Oils?
You can use essential oils, but they behave differently:
- Lower flash points - add at 65°C, not 75°C
- Weaker hot throw than fragrance oils
- More expensive per candle
- Some separate or cause discoloration
For strong scent throw, fragrance oils outperform essential oils in container candles. That's just chemistry.
Signs You've Used Too Much
Sweating: Oily beads on the surface. The wax can't hold all the fragrance, so it weeps out.
Pooling: Oil sitting on top of the melt pool when burning. Same issue - oversaturation.
Poor burn: The wick drowns in excess oil. Weak flame, tunnelling, incomplete burn.
If you see these, drop your load by 1-2% and test again.
Quick Formula
For any batch size at 8% fragrance load:
Fragrance (g) = Wax (g) × 0.08
- 500g wax = 40g fragrance
- 1kg wax = 80g fragrance
- 2kg wax = 160g fragrance
The Verdict
Kerasoy 4130 and fragrance oil work well together. Start at 8%, test a few candles, adjust if needed.
The wax is designed for scented container candles. That's literally what it's for.