Products
- All about our products
- The Advent Calendar
- All about our candles
- All about our diffusers
- All about our car scents
- All about our powdered soaps
Where are your products manufactured?
Our home fragrance products, including candles and diffusers, are proudly manufactured in Europe, primarily in Spain and Poland. We prioritise sourcing our subcomponents (such as lids, packaging, and wicks) from European suppliers whenever possible to maintain high quality standards and reduce our carbon footprint. However, due to shifts in global manufacturing, certain materials are no longer produced within Europe at scale. In such cases, we carefully source these elements from trusted partners outside of Europe, though they represent only a small fraction of our overall production. Our commitment remains to sustainable sourcing, responsible manufacturing, and delivering high-quality products.
How are the scents created?
Every single fragrance is specially developed by a master perfumer, a fragrance expert who studies the harmony between fragrance notes. Our Product Development team creates a first briefing for the perfumer after researching the destination or concept, sending over moodboards and ideas for notes which could be used to tell the story. Our fragrance houses then develop a number of options, which our Product Developer narrows down or continues to rework with the fragrance house until it is just perfect.
Are your fragrances 100% natural?
No, our fragrances are not 100% natural, as we use synthetic ingredients in addition to natural ones.
Want to know more about why we use synthetic ingredients within our blends? Natural fragrance ingredients — like essential oils and plant extracts — are beautiful and complex, but they often contain many different naturally occurring compounds, many of which are classified as allergens. Synthetic fragrance ingredients are usually single, carefully chosen molecules, so they tend to contain fewer potential allergens as they were developed with this in mind by perfumers. By including synthetic ingredients our perfumers also have vastly more creative freedom to create unique, complex fragrances as the pool to choose from is much larger.
We also choose to use a balance of synthetic vs. natural for sustainability reasons. While natural ingredients come from renewable sources, growing and harvesting them can require a lot of land, water, and energy — and in some cases has led to the overharvesting of plants like sandalwood. Although also not perfect, synthetic ingredients can be produced without impacting fragile ecosystems and can even replicate the scent of endangered plants without harvesting them.
Both natural and synthetic materials can be safe when used at the right levels — and we follow strict safety standards to make sure our blends are both enjoyable and compliant. Any potential allergens are always listed on the product page and product packaging.
Are there product or fragrance samples?
Unfortunately, we do not offer classic fragrance samples - but our mini candles are perfect for testing! They are small and handy and have a burning time of about 8 hours.
Within our trial set "Mini Mix & Match" you can choose five to twelve scents that you always wanted to try! The more minis you choose, the higher your discount!
Feel free to check out our website: Germany, Italy, France
Also, if you don't like any of our products, you can return them in unused condition within 30 days of receiving them.
Where do I find a list of ingredients of your products?
You can find the list of potential allergen or sensitiser ingredients for each product on the respective product page under “More Info" per EU CLP labelling regulations. This information is also always printed on the back of the product box.
The ingredients shown are only the potential allergen/hazard ingredients that must be declared under CLP (Classification, Labelling and Packaging) regulations. These are provided so you can make informed choices if you have sensitivities. They are however not a complete list of every ingredient in the product, as full disclosure is not legally required. We do this to protect our unique fragrance blends from being copied by competitors—while still giving you the safety information you need. Rest assured that all our fragrances are developed according to The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) standards for the safe use of fragrance ingredients in consumer products. Together with our fragrance houses we continue to monitor developments in EU regulations to ensure our scents are always compliant with the latest ingredient limits and labelling requirements.
When are sold-out products available again?
Our product range includes both a core collection and limited-edition releases.
Our core collection features year-round favourites, ensuring our bestselling products are always available. However, some items are seasonal and only offered at specific times of the year based on demand.
If a product isn’t available on our webshop, it may be out of season and will return at the appropriate time. If an item is out of stock, it should typically be restocked within 6–8 weeks.
The product is no longer available in our webshop? Limited-edition products, such as those made with special materials are often available only while supplies last. However, if a particular product is especially loved, we may bring it back in a future release or even add it to our core collection.
If you’re looking for a specific product or have a favourite you’d love to see again, feel free to reach out to our customer care team, we’d love to hear your feedback!
Can I purchase refill packs?
Currently, we do not offer refill packs. However, as the aspect of sustainability is very important to us, we are already working on a concept. Until then, we ask for a little patience. You are welcome to recycle your candle jar (by removing the remaining wax) or the diffuser bottle from the jar and using them as flower boxes, gift boxes with lovely messages or storages for the kitchen, bathroom or bedroom. Let your ideas run wild or check out our Instagram account for inspiration!
Are the products RAL certified?
While our products do not hold RAL certification, we are committed to delivering the highest quality and safety standards. Each product undergoes rigorous testing and quality assurance to ensure it meets or exceeds industry standards. We carefully select the best materials and partner with reputable manufacturers to guarantee that our products provide exceptional performance and durability.
Are our products safe for small children, pets and pregnant women?
We attach great importance to quality and safety and try as far as possible to work only with high quality ingredients, primarily sourced within Europe. All products are safety tested and compliant with EU regulations. It is possible that in very rare cases allergic reactions occur in both humans and animals—please review the allergens listed under "More Info" and on the product packaging to be sure to avoid certain ingredients you have reacted to in the past. We also point out that you should not leave your pets and/or children alone with candles and keep them away from the fire to avoid accidents.
Do you have actual shops where you can buy your products?
For Germany: Yes! You can find our 120g scented candles nationwide exclusively at Rossmann and DM.Since we also occasionally collaborate with small retailers, you may also be able to find and purchase our products in other smaller shops or boutiques in your region. Unfortunately, we cannot currently provide information about their locations, but we are working on making this possible.
For Italy & France: Since our products can be purchased from retailers, you can find and purchase our items in some stores or boutiques in the area. Unfortunately, we are currently unable to provide you with information about their location, but we are working to make this possible.
How do I dispose of my AVA & MAY products properly?
For Germany:
Glass: Candle jars go in the Restmüll*. The jars cannot be recycled in the glass bins because they are made of heat-resistant glass material. However, customers should check the recycling information with their local authorities before disposing of the jars.
We highly recommend giving the candle jars a second life and using them for DIY purposes.
Aluminium / Plastic waste: All the candles have aluminium wick holders at the bottom of the wicks. Follow your local recycling guidelines for aluminium material. In case of room spray bottle: Please separate plastic and metal parts from the spray pump before recycling them. The spray pump parts can be recycled in the yellow/orange bin.
Wood / Rubber waste: Wooden candle lids, diffusers rubber stoppers or wooden rings can be disposed of in the grey/black trash bins designed for residual waste*. Check the local recycling guidelines.
Paper: Remove any labels from bottles. Labels can often be peeled off, or you can use warm soapy water to help loosen the adhesive. Paper labels can be recycled in the paper bins. All the shipment packaging such as shipping boxes, filling paper, and flyers are made of paper and cardboard materials. All these items can be recycled in the paper and cardboard bins as per your local recycling guidelines.
For France:
Our product packaging includes pictograms designed to help consumers easily identify how to sort their waste. Since our packaging is made up of multiple components, each recyclable item is displayed separately alongside the Triman logo. In the pictograms, glass packaging is shown in the second bin, while all other packaging is depicted in the front bin.
For Italy:
All product packaging includes alphanumeric codes to help consumers identify the different materials used and sort their waste appropriately.
Please be sure to check your local municipal guidelines for proper waste disposal.
Do you want to use our products as a gift for your event?
Do you want to make your event even more special?
You can send your request to: b2bteam@ava-may.com describing which and how many products you would like receive. Please also add your destination country in the email object. Please note that we unfortunately do not offer customised products.
What is the AVA & MAY Advent Calendar?
The Advent Calendar is an annual tradition designed to make the holiday season unforgettable for our customers. This year’s calendar is a box filled with 24 product treasures for you to discover day by day from December 1st to Christmas Eve. Each of these fragrant surprises is meant to introduce you to the exciting world of AVA & MAY and CLUB NOÉ, take you on a nostalgic journey during the colder months, and serve as a wonderful gift for your loved ones.
What is the value of the Advent Calendar?
Our Advent Calendar includes products with a total value of €300. On top of that, you get to unwrap a new surprise every day, and the calendar box can be reused as a storage box after the holiday season.
Can discount codes be applied to the Advent Calendar?
Yes, some discount codes can be used on the Advent Calendar. The best way to stay updated on promotions is by subscribing to our newsletter, joining our VIP program, and following us on social media.
What does pre-sale mean, and when will the calendar be shipped?
Pre-sale means you get early access to the Advent Calendar. Shipping starts at the end of October. You’ll receive regular email updates regarding the shipping status of your calendar.
Does the Advent Calendar come in a gift box?
Our Advent Calendar is designed for special occasions: it comes fully and securely packaged and can be gifted directly. It’s shipped in a custom-designed box that’s beautifully festive and ready for the holidays.
Can the Advent Calendar be returned?
We hope you’ll love your Advent Calendar as much as we do. But if you wish to return it, you can easily initiate a return via our returns portal. Please note that products must be unused and returned in full. For more information about returns, you can check our website — or feel free to contact our customer service team at any time.
How can I reuse the calendar box after the holiday season?
In line with our values, we support and encourage recycling and upcycling. This year’s calendar is a high-quality, resealable box that can be reused as a stylish storage space — for jewelry, cosmetics, or other personal treasures. We chose a festive berry-tone design that stays elegant and decorative even after Christmas.
Why are AVA & MAY candles special?
Our candles are made out of a vegetable wax blend, are vegan and completely cruelty-free. Our wicks are also made from 100% sustainably sourced cotton and are not soaked in lead. The wooden lid of our candles is sustainably sourced and can be used either as a coaster for the candle or to close it. We also use high quality fragrance oils developed by world class perfumers. All our products are manufactured in Europe and the majority of our raw materials are also sourced in Europe, in order to have a better carbon footprint and higher quality.
How long do the candles burn?
Within our core range, our standard sized candles (180gr) have a burn time of 40 hours, midsize candles (380gr) have a burn time of 55 hours, and the large candles (500gr) can burn up to 70 hours. The mini candles have an average burning time of 8 hours. For all special/limited edition products which come in special jars and sizes, please see the product page for the burn time.
How long can I store AVA & MAY candles? Until when should I use them?
There is no specific date until the candles have to be used but we recommend to use them within a year. Otherwise the intensity of the scent could be impaired.
Why does the wick of my candle sometimes form a knob?
The so-called "wick flower" is a natural reaction to the perfume oils in the scented candles. This is when soot collects on the wick. Therefore, shorten the wick to approx. 0.5 to 1 cm before each lighting so that the flame shines brighter and no soot marks form on the glass.
How do I prevent tunnelling of my candle?
Tunnelling happens when only the center of the wax melts, leaving unused wax around the sides. To avoid this, let your candle burn long enough on the first burn for the melted wax to reach all the way to the edges — this can take 2–5 hours depending on the size. After that, try to let it reach the edges each time you burn it for the best performance. The initial burn is really the most important to let reach the edges, as otherwise your candle will have a "memory" and continue to tunnel if it was extinguished before it reached the edges.
If your candle has already started to tunnel, you can gently wrap a layer of foil around the rim (leaving an opening above the flame) for a short burn — the extra heat will help melt the remaining wax and even out the surface. Check out our Instagram highlight for Care Tips to see this in practice. We recommend to only remove the foil after you have blown the candle out and allowed it to cool, as the foil can be hot to the touch.
Why is there still wax in my candle?
Do not worry - this is intentional and calculated into the burning time of the candle! At the bottom of each candle incorporated a metal base that extinguishes the flame at about 1 cm of residual wax to protect the glass from overheating.
DIY & Recycling Ideas: What to do with empty candle jars?
You can give your candle jars a second life! By removing the remaining wax, our candle jars can be used as a flower box, a gift box with a lovely message, an egg cup, a shot glass or storage for the kitchen, bathroom or bedroom. There are no limits to your imagination! Share your ideas with us or check out our Instagram account or Pinterest for inspiration!
Which products fit on your decorative trays?
Both our concrete and bamboo tray can fit all of our candle sizes up to 550g. Our concrete tray has dimensions of 15x30cm, and the bamboo tray has dimensions of 40x20cm.
How should I place the diffuser sticks in the diffuser jar?
It is best that the sticks are distributed evenly, ideally without touching each other: in this way, the liquid is also distributed evenly and the fragrance will consume less quickly.
How many diffuser sticks should I use?
It depends on the size of the room and the fragrance intensity you want to achieve. In general, for small rooms we recommend the use of 1-2 sticks, for medium-sized and larger rooms 3-4 sticks.
The liquid of my diffuser was absorbed by the wooden ring, is this normal?
This is a normal reaction of the wood to the liquid of the diffuser. It also emphasizes the naturalness of our products and on top of that intensifies the fragrance experience.
How do your car scents work?
Our car fragrances are released by aromatised polymers. These are special plastics that contain fragrance oil. The fragrance is safely incorporated into the polymers and there is no risk of it leaking as it is not a liquid. The fragrance is released through ventilation/air conditioning. You can regulate the intensity of the scent by the strength of the ventilation, independently of whether the outflowing air in your car is hot or cold.
How do I use and change our car fragrances?
To use our car fragrances, you will need an aromatised polymer and our polymer holder. You can buy our polymer in our Mix & Match or in a starter bundle together with the holder. The assembly is very easy. First, attach the plastic clip to the back side of the black holder, place the white scented polymer into the holder element and press it down. Then put the plastic ring on top of it to fix the polymer. Then attach the car fragrance to the ventilation grille in your car using the clip. When the scent wears off, simply replace the used polymer with a new one.
How long do our car fragrances last?
Our car fragrances release their scent over a period of about four weeks. Packaged, the fragrance will last on the aromatised polymer for at least two years.
Can the polymer melt when exposed to heat?
No, don't worry. The polymer may lose its shape when exposed to sustained heat above 70°C, but it will not melt. The polymer is well protected in the holder and there is no danger.
Are our car fragrances safe for my skin and where can I find the ingredients?
Our car fragrances are in solid form and therefore harmless to your skin. However, we recommend that you clean your hands after handling the product. If you are allergic or have sensitive skin, you should carefully check the list of ingredients before use. You can find them on the product page under "Product details" in the info box and on the back of the packaging.
How do I use the Powdered Soaps?
Pour 185 ml of warm water into our AVA & MAY soap dispenser (up to the mark on the back). Then add the entire contents of your sachet, close your dispenser and shake it well for 1 minute. Wait approx. 30 minutes to allow the foam to settle. Shake the bottle again and your hand soap is ready.
Can I also use my own dispenser?
We generally recommend using our 250 ml AVA & MAY soap dispenser as it makes mixing your hand soap super easy. However, you can also use your own dispenser. It is important that you ensure the correct mixing ratio (15g of soap to 185ml of water) and that there is still some air left in the bottle so that you can shake it well. We also offer sets without our dispenser and you can put together your favourite combinations and several sachets with the same fragrance using our Powdered Soaps Mix & Match.
What is the Discovery Set/ Starter Set?
With our Discovery Set you receive our 4 selected bestseller fragrances Bahamas, Persia, Aruba and Maldives as powdered soaps. The 4 packages with the powder come in a super cute foldable envelope that contains lots of useful information and is perfect as a gift.
How are CO2 emissions reduced by our Powdered Soaps?
As powdered soaps are a very small and lightweight product, they take up less space and are therefore more sustainable in terms of mobility, transport and storage. Transport takes place within Germany in order to reduce logistics and emissions from there.
Is the soap also suitable for sensitive skin?
We attach great importance to offering you only high-quality products. Our soaps are pH-neutral and PEG-free, which helps to maintain the skin's natural moisture balance. However, they do contain perfume and therefore allergens, which is why they are not suitable for allergy sufferers. If you have sensitive skin, we would always recommend testing the product on a small area of skin on your body first and waiting 24 hours to rule out a possible reaction.
Where can I find the ingredients of each soap and how long does it last?
You can find the ingredients for each product on the respective product page of the fragrance under "Product details" in the info box. They are also written on the back of the sachets. The mixed Powdered Soap should be used within 3 months. Unopened, it has no best-before date. You can therefore store it without any problems.
Is the soap free from animal testing?
Yes, our products are not tested on animals at any stage of production, are vegan and as natural as possible.
Are the sachets fully recyclable?
Yes! The sachets are made of recyclable plastic (mono-PP) and can therefore go completely into the designated waste bin without any problems. The raw material polypropylene is considered an environmentally friendly alternative to general plastic, as it is a by-product of the petroleum industry.
Will the soap stain?
No, don't worry. Although each soap has a beautiful, vibrant colour, the amount of dye is absolutely minimal and leaves no residue.