Body-safe wax play candles

Candles made to be dripped on skin. They state the temperature the wax melts at and use materials chosen for the body, unlike decorative candles. SenseMe makes six, from 50°C for a first session to 75°C for experienced players.

Olga Bevz, a sexologist who has practised wax play since 2016. Olga developed a recipe for each temperature with a cosmetic chemist and pours every candle by hand in Lisbon, Portugal.

Start with the lowest: 50°C gives soft, silky warmth and 55°C is slightly deeper, and both suit a first experience. 60°C and 65°C are for when you already know how your mind and body respond, and 70°C and 75°C are for experienced players only. Always move up slowly.

Yes. Wax play involves fire and hot wax and always carries a risk of burns, even with a candle made for skin. To lower it, start with the lowest temperature, test a drop on the inside of your forearm, begin high above the skin and come closer slowly, let each layer set before adding more, and keep wax away from the face, mucous membranes and broken, irritated or sunburnt skin. If the skin stays hot, cool it under cool or lukewarm running water for 10 to 20 minutes. If a blister appears, don't burst it; keep it clean, cover it loosely and ask a pharmacist or doctor.

No. An ordinary candle doesn't state the temperature its wax melts at, and candle waxes melt across a wide range: paraffin at about 46–68°C and beeswax at 62–65°C. Its dyes and fragrance also weren't chosen for skin. A wax play candle is made to be dripped on the body and tells you its temperature.

Every candle is scented and contains plant waxes, and even cosmetic fragrances and natural waxes can cause a reaction on very sensitive or allergy-prone skin. Always make a test drop on a small area first and wait before you continue. If you have known allergies or a skin condition, ask a doctor first, or write to hello@waxplayme.com for the full ingredient list.

A blend of paraffin from a medical supplier and plant waxes (soy, coconut, palm and rice), in proportions that change from candle to candle to set its temperature. The colours are cosmetic grade, the shimmer is natural mica, the scents are cosmetic fragrances and the wicks are 100% cotton. Olga Bevz developed the recipe with a cosmetic chemist, and every candle is made by hand in Lisbon.

From Lisbon, for a flat rate per order whatever its size: €10 to Portugal, €15 to the European Union (except Cyprus) and Monaco, €30 to the rest of Europe, including the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Norway, and €63 (about $70) to the United States by DHL. You see the rate in your cart before you pay. Orders leave within 3–5 business days, then usually take 1–3 business days within Portugal, 4–6 across the EU and 5–10 to the rest of Europe. Outside the EU, customs may charge import VAT, duties or handling fees on arrival; the recipient pays these and they are not included in our prices or shipping.