Diffusers 101

When thinking about aromatherapy with essential oils, most people’s minds go immediately to diffusion. More and more people, now, are using essential oil diffusers to spread lovely aromas throughout their space, and are feeling the positive effects of having a clean-feeling, sweet-smelling place to relax or focus. Essential oils are excellent for all sorts of therapy, and the simplest way to reap their benefits is through diffusion.

If you’re looking into getting a diffuser for the first time, the variety of choices can be overwhelming! There are multiple kinds of diffusers, and while all of them work very well, some are more suited for particular uses over others. The two main kinds are nebulizers and ultrasonic diffusers, both of which can be found at Essentique.

Ultrasonic diffusers are the most common kind, and are a great way to get started in the world of aromatherapy. An old faithful of diffusers, they are straightforward, effective, and last a long time. They work by combining water and essential oil, and then using ultrasonic sound waves to agitate the mix and break it up into microparticles, which are released through the top of the diffuser as a fine mist. The use of water allows the diffusion process to add moisture to the air as well as distributing the scent. Plus, mixing the essential oil with water helps keep the diffuser running for longer, preventing you from having to refill it regularly. Any kind of essential oil can be used in an ultrasonic diffuser, and many diffusers have flexible intensity of aroma, making it easy to adjust to different sized spaces or personal preferences. Most ultrasonic diffusers are sturdily constructed, and many come with lights that make the scent visually beautiful as well.

Nebulizers, on the other hand, are slightly more difficult to use but have a much more potent output of oil. Instead of using oil diluted in water, they use just the oil, and work by breaking it into tiny particles that can be diffused through the air. Pressurized air blows through a stream of essential oil coming up through a small tube, forming tiny droplets that are collected in the glass reservoir and then released through the opening in the top. The essential oil is left pure and potent. This method, called atomizing, creates a more intense scent than ultrasonic diffusers.  This is a better option for very large spaces, or for instances when it is important that the aroma be strong and distributed quickly. Plus, since they do not require water, their setup is very efficient and straightforward, so don’t worry about needing to spend a long time to get it going. However, nebulizers require a more intricate knowledge of essential oils to use properly, since viscous oils will not move through the tiny tubing system well without being mixed with more fluid oils; it’s important to mix thicker oils with thinner ones in order to create the most effective consistency. Be sure, also, to clean your nebulizer regularly to see the best results and to keep the delicate structure intact. Look to nebulizers for strong, pervasive aromas, as well as a simple and straightforward setup without need for water.

Both nebulizers and ultrasonic diffusers are great ways to spread the lovely scent of an essential oil throughout your space. Based on your preferences, make an educated decision of which one you would prefer. Whatever kind you choose to use, look forward to having an easy method of essential oil aromatherapy at your fingertips. Happy diffusing!