There Are Space Scented Candles Apparently And I’m Here For It

Have you ever wondered what space smells like? Well I hadn’t. That was until I came across a ‘space scented candle’ recently.

It got me thinking about the question a little more, and I started getting more curious.

What does space smell like? Does this candle actually smell like space? How would they even know that?

This led me down the rabbit hole into researching what astronauts have described in interviews when being asked this question, and yes, it does sound like there is a distinctive ‘space scent’ after all.

Today I’m going to be exploring some candles that describe themselves as smelling like the scent in space and also throwing in some candles which I think might smell like space based on the descriptions that I’ve read.

So What Does Space Smell Like Anyway?

According to astronauts who’ve experienced the smell of space indirectly, it has quite a unique aroma.

The smell doesn’t come from space itself, as space is a vacuum, but potentially from residual particles that attach themselves to spacesuits and equipment when astronauts are doing spacewalks. When they re-enter the airlock and repressurize the cabin, that’s when they can smell the “scent of outer space.”

Astronauts have described the smell in various ways, but some of the more common descriptors according to this article from scien.org.au:

‘… a rather pleasant metallic sensation … [like] … sweet-smelling welding fumes’, ‘burning metal’, ‘a distinct odour of ozone, an acrid smell’, ‘walnuts and brake pads’, ‘gunpowder’ and even ‘burnt almond cookie’.

Australian Academy of Science

To add to this, researchers have also found out that a dust cloud near the core of the Milky Way called Sagittarius B2 is made up of a compound that supposedly gives raspberries their flavor called ethyl formate, this compound also apparently smells similar to rum.

So it sounds like outer space smells like a rather industrial, metallic aroma, mixed with some unique notes here and there. Interesting!

There are theories that this scent could be the byproduct of high-energy particles interacting with spacecraft materials, or radiation burns to materials on astronauts suits, but no definitive explanation exists yet.

8 Scented Candles That Smell Like Outer Space

Using the descriptions from astronauts and properties of these space compounds, some candle brands have already started creating candles that are inspired by outer space. Below is a gathering of all of those candles, plus I’ve also included some candles that might not be intended to smell like space, but might have a smell that is similar to what has been described.

I’m not exactly sure which candle company makes this candle, but you can find it online at Vat 19. I’ve read some good reviews about it on Reddit and apparently it’s supposed to be pretty great.

Price: $$

I don’t know if Homesick Candles was even inspired by the quotes from the astronauts or if their Death Star candle just happened to be a pretty accurate sounding representation of scents in space, but either way, I’m impressed.

Price: $$$

Gorilla Candles is known for trying to interpret almost any scent that you can think of into a scented candle (just look at their scent selection), and they are dang good at it overall.

Price: $$

This candle from Goest Perfumes was heavily inspired by all things cosmic, including those various descriptions from space, and they created a more luxury leaning candle.

This is another brand that creates some very unique scents, I was looking at some of their other candles and they have one herbal scent inspired by pharmacy’s, and another called ‘Pablo’ which is inspired by Pablo Picasso which has notes of oil paints in it.

Price: $$$$

If you are unfamiliar with the Kurzgesagt Youtube channel, it’s a popular channel that shares video essays on various scientific and educational topics over a distinct infographic like style of illustrations.

It’s a channel that I find myself checking out from time to time so it was a nice surprise to see that the channel where I have learned so much about space has their own space candle from their online shop. This scent leans more into the gunpowder side of the space scent descriptions.

Price: $$$

While this fragrance from Byredo isn’t exactly space themed, it does have a scent that reminds me of many of the descriptions shared above. I mean.. the top notes are fire iron and black raspberry.

If you are looking for a good luxury candle that will be reminiscent of some scents that are described from space and just be an overall great quality candle, Byredo looks to have you covered.

Price: $$$$

I’ve said it before on the blog and I’ll say it again, Concrete After Lightning by D.S. & Durga is such a truly unique and surreal scent that I can find no better choice from my everyday candles that would match potential scents of space better than this one.

It’s got the ozonic notes, it’s got that wild electricity note (which I still don’t understand how they do by the way), and then it’s got the notes of concrete and steam blended into it to top it off. This one sounds like it could fit right in with space scented candles. Don’t you agree?

Price: $$$$

Dio Candle might be one of the candle brands that has tried to recreate the most inspired scents out there. Their current lineup of uniquely themed candle scents currently sits at 325 scents!

This candle in particular, is aimed more at the Ethyl Formate fragrance which is described to be found in a dust cloud in the Milky Way.

Price: $$$

The Final Frontier

And so we reach the end of our cosmic journey exploring scented candles that evoke the supposed scents of outer space.

So, will you be taking a fragrant leap into the galaxy? Blast off in the comments below and let us know which celestial candle has caught your eye—or nose!

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Have a great rest of your week fellow candle junkies!