Why do wax melts give me a headache?
Wax Melt Scents: This blog walks through why some people get headaches from fragrance, how CLP info helps you spot potential triggers, and simple tips so you can still enjoy melts without your head kicking off.
Written in the UK by a wax-melt maker with years of hands-on experience helping customers identify which scent families suit them best and which ingredients might trigger sensitivities. This guide breaks down common aroma chemicals, why some fragrances can spark headaches, and simple ways to enjoy home fragrance more comfortably. Last updated: .
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Glossary
- CLP
- Classification, Labelling & Packaging — UK chemical safety labelling on wax melts and fragrances.
- IFRA
- International Fragrance Association — sets maximum safe usage levels for fragrance materials.
- Sensitiser
- A substance that can cause allergic reactions or sensitivities in some people.
- Olfactory induced headache
- A headache triggered by smells via nerve/vascular responses.
- Allergen
- An ingredient that can provoke allergic responses; often listed on CLP if above thresholds.
- SDS
- Safety Data Sheet — detailed safety/handling info for a fragrance oil.
Ever felt a pang of dread when a friend complains about your beloved wax melt giving them a headache?
You know that gorgeous scent you love? The one that makes you feel like you're strolling through a spring garden or relaxing on a tropical beach?
Well, for some people, that same scent might trigger a full blown migraine. It’s a real bummer, and it’s more common than many people realise, with a significant number of migraine and headache sufferers reporting fragrance as a trigger.
But don't worry, there's no need to ditch your wax melt scents just yet!
Why Fragrances Can Trigger Headaches
It’s mad how a scent that smells gorgeous to one person can make someone else pull a face. Our noses all have their own little attitude.
Some people are simply more sensitive to certain scents than others. It's not just about the strength of the fragrance either.
Even a subtle whiff of something can trigger a reaction if it contains a pesky ingredient that your nose doesn't like. Some researchers suggest this sensitivity may be linked to how certain smells interact with blood vessels and nerve pathways in the brain, which can contribute to headache symptoms in susceptible people.
These vessels can dilate and swell, irritating the areas responsible for headaches and pain.
This is called olfactory induced headaches.
This means there's no one size fits all solution when it comes to fragrances. Everyone's different, and what smells lush to you might be a migraine trigger for someone else, it's all thanks to the unique blend of chemicals in each fragrance oil.
Fragrance Chemicals to Watch Out For
So, how do you navigate this fragrant maze? It's all about becoming a scent detective! That's where UK CLP (Classification, Labelling and Packaging) information comes in handy. It's like a wax melt's ingredient list and helps you spot potential culprits — look for allergens such as linalool, limonene, citral and geraniol on the label.
Common fragrance chemicals known to trigger sensitivities include:
| Fragrance chemical | Commonly found in |
|---|---|
| Citral | Fresh, zesty citrus scents. |
| Limonene | Citrus blends, lemon, orange and “clean” style fragrances. |
| Linalool | Lavender, floral and spa style fragrances. |
| Geraniol | Rose, geranium and some citrus scents. |
| Eugenol | Spiced fragrances like cinnamon, clove and autumn blends. |
However, remember that the CLP only lists chemicals that are considered allergens at high concentrations. The headache culprit could be a combination of chemicals, or even a compound not listed on the CLP. If you need more information, don't hesitate to ask for the Safety Data Sheet (SDS), it's like the fragrance's full biography!
Daya’s Essence: Safety, CLP & Enjoyment
At Dayas Essence, your safety and enjoyment are my top priority. I carefully select high quality fragrance oils and strive to use the least possible sensitisers.
While some scents may contain a small number of these potential triggers, it's often necessary to create the desired aroma.
Remember, every fragrance oil is unique. It's all about finding what works for your nose. If you ever want to check what’s in a scent, CLP labels are a great place to start.
Headache-Safe Fragrance: Practical Tips
If you're prone to scent induced headaches, don't despair. Here are some tips to help you still enjoy your wax melts:
| Tip | How it helps |
|---|---|
| Keep a scent diary | Note down any scents that trigger headaches so you can spot patterns and avoid repeat offenders. |
| Test new scents carefully | Try a small amount in a well ventilated area before committing to a full melt, especially with new fragrance families. |
| Take breaks | Don’t overload your senses. Give your nose (and your head) time off between melts. |
| Use less wax | If a scent feels too strong, reduce the amount you use or move it to a larger room. |
| Watch other triggers | Stress, lack of sleep, dehydration and screen time can all pile on. Fragrance might be the final straw, not the only cause. |
| Treat the symptoms | If a headache lands, treat it as you usually would: pain relief if suitable, rest, water, food and fresh air. |
Fragrance & Headaches: Other Triggers
Many factors play a part in triggering a headache, such as stress, lack of sleep, worry, focusing your eyes on screens such as laptops for long periods of times, hunger, not drinking enough and maybe your eyes need a checkup, hormones too.
Researchers continue to look for answers regarding why smells make migraines worse for some people and barely affect others.
But research remains inconclusive.
A range of smells have been found to be problematic for some migraine sufferers such as:
| Smell type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Soaps | Laundry detergent, hand soap and dish soap. |
| Bath & body products | Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hair sprays and cosmetics. |
| Household cleaners | Multi surface sprays, bleach products, disinfectants and floor cleaners. |
| Perfumes | Strong personal fragrances, aftershaves and body sprays. |
| Home fragrance | Air fresheners, scented wax products, deodorisers and room sprays. |
If you suffer from migraines, you know how debilitating they can be. And if you don’t have them… well, it’s probably because you’re lucky.
Migraine Symptoms & Common Triggers
A migraine is a type of headache that can cause intense throbbing or pulsing in one area of the head. It’s often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound or smells. Migraines may happen only occasionally or strike multiple times a month. Some people are unable to perform regular daily activities when having a migraine.
Migraine attacks can cause significant pain for hours to days and be so severe that all you can think about is finding a dark, quiet place to lie down. Some people also experience sensory warning symptoms, including blind spots, tingling in the arms and legs, nausea, and vomiting. Other symptoms of migraines can include difficulty speaking or temporary vision loss (aura migraines).
Migraines can be triggered by many things, light and sound too.
Light sensitivity is also common among migraine sufferers because bright lights can trigger a migraine headache or aura (warning sign).
| Light source | Typical triggers |
|---|---|
| Flashing / flickering lights | TVs, computer monitors, gaming screens and signage. |
| Fluorescent lights | Office strip lighting, supermarket lighting and classrooms. |
| Halogen lights | Spotlights, downlights and some display lighting. |
| Incandescent bulbs | Older style lamps and bulbs that give off a warm but harsh glare. |
| Sunlight | Bright sunlight, reflections off cars, windows and water. |
| Shiny surfaces | Glare bouncing off tiles, mirrors, phones or polished worktops. |
When this happens, your brain is more sensitive to stimuli and therefore more likely to trigger a migraine. That’s why for me (and probably for many people who get migraines), I get migraines if I’m focused on my computer screen or if a storm is brewing plus fluorescent lights too, I've also got astigmatism too.
I know what you’re thinking. “How can the weather cause you to get a migraine?"
It’s just something I have, and there’s nothing I can do about it. High humidity, rising temperatures and storms cause me to have a migraine, why is this?
This is because of pressure changes in the atmosphere. Pressure changes affect how blood vessels expand and contract in our bodies, which triggers chemical and electrical changes in the brain that irritate nerves and lead to headaches.
Light sensitivity is also common among migraine sufferers because bright lights can trigger a migraine headache or aura (warning sign), I too suffer from this as well.
The most common triggers include flashing or flickering lights like those found on TVs or computer monitors; fluorescent lights; halogen lights; incandescent bulbs; sunlight reflecting; and even looking at bright reflections on shiny surfaces, it’s best not to stare directly into these kinds of light sources if you’re prone to migraines since they’ll intensify your symptoms faster than other types of light sources would do on their own.
Preventing Scent-Related Headaches
The best way to prevent scent related headaches is to reduce the amount of scents you use as much as possible, but what if you absolutely have to be around strong scents? The best thing to do with using wax melts is to half the amount you use or use a quarter, do so in a well ventilated area, so that you can reduce your exposure as much as possible.
If a headache does develop, treat it as you normally would. Some people find relief with rest, hydration, fresh air and over-the-counter pain relief that is suitable for them. If headaches are frequent or severe, it’s best to speak with your GP or pharmacist for personalised advice.
