If you\u2019re low on essential oils, you may opt to simply not use your diffuser. And here\u2019s a list of reasons why. <\/p>\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n9 Facts About What to Put In a Diffuser<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The function of a diffuser is to disperse a fragrant mist throughout your home while benefiting from the healing properties of the essential oils being diffused. Nice smells can make your space feel more homey but not just anything that smells nice can be poured into a diffuser. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s what you need to know about what you can and cannot put inside your diffuser:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can You Put Perfume In a Diffuser?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Ethanol is the primary ingredient used to make perfume. It\u2019s an alcohol base that can comprise up to 90% of the perfume formula. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To this base, perfumers add natural ingredients. Some examples include the essence of flowers, roots, bark, spices, fruit, leaves, resins, gums, and grasses. Even animal excrement, like ambergris<\/a>, is used in some of the world\u2019s most expensive perfumes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s often some amount of solvents and fixatives added to the natural oils and chemical fragrance mixtures. Water is usually part of the formula as well. It aids in scent longevity and dilutes the alcohol, making the perfume gentler on the skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Perfumes are complex substances that can irritate the skin and trigger allergic reactions. There are a number of potential health risks that can result from the exposure to some of the ingredients used in perfumes.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s often some amount of solvents and fixatives added to the natural oils and chemical fragrance mixtures. Water is usually part of the formula as well. It aids in scent longevity and dilutes the alcohol, making the perfume gentler on the skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Perfumes are complex substances that can irritate the skin and trigger allergic reactions. There are a number of potential health risks<\/a> that can result from the exposure to some of the ingredients used in perfumes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Perfumes are not directly regulated. Companies are allowed to withhold the full list of their ingredients in order to protect their proprietary formulas. While certain ingredients are monitored, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has a relaxed standard. The products only need to be generally recognized as safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With its combination of raw materials, solvents, chemicals, and other substances that fragrance companies are not forced to publicly declare, it would probably be best not to put perfume in a diffuser. Its consistency would probably mist well, but you wouldn\u2019t quite know what you\u2019re inhaling. People with sensitivities should never put perfume in their diffuser.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Colognes are usually marketed to men as perfumes are typically marketed towards women. Although less concentrated, like perfume, cologne is considered a cosmetic product<\/a> because it\u2019s used to help make a person more attractive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Similarly, cologne ingredients<\/a> do not need to be FDA approved before being marketed and sold to customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As long as ingredients aren\u2019t poisonous, filthy, or otherwise, \u201cinjurious to health,\u201d then it is generally permitted. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Cologne is mostly made up of alcohol and fragrant oils<\/a>. But there could be fixatives, solvents and other ingredients in the mix as well.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The thing to keep in mind is that it\u2019s mostly made of chemical ingredients. According to Health Care Without Harm,<\/a> these “fragrance chemicals can cause headaches; eye, nose, and throat irritation; nausea; forgetfulness; loss of coordination, and other respiratory and\/or neurotoxic symptoms.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n Individuals with asthma and sinus conditions<\/a> are especially vulnerable to fragrance formulas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can imagine that diffusing cologne can lead to a lot of discomfort for some people. And because not all of the ingredients are listed, you may not even know that you\u2019re allergic to them until you\u2019re exposed to the fragrance. Even if you want to diffuse cologne that you enjoy wearing, you may not want to inhale the other chemical ingredients as a fine mist of particles.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Cologne is a thin enough consistency to be added to water in an ultrasonic diffuser but just because it can technically diffuse, that doesn\u2019t mean you could safely diffuse it.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The role of a diffuser is to break essential oils down into tiny particles to breathe in their beneficial properties. Fragrance oils are either partially or wholly chemically-based aromatic compounds. Essential oils might be added to fragrance oils, but if they are, it\u2019s usually a very small percentage. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This means that you would be inhaling chemicals, not the health benefits derived from diffusing essential oils. Carrier oils<\/a> are sometimes added to fragrance oil formulas as well. These thicker oils prevent diffusers from misting properly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Fragrance oils are not suitable for aromatherapy<\/a>. There are no health benefits to diffusing fragrance oils, and you might be inhaling toxic chemicals if you add fragrance oils<\/a> to your diffuser.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you bake or stir up your own vanilla lattes at home, you\u2019re probably familiar with vanilla extract ingredients. Vanilla is one of the most popular flavors worldwide but only 1% of vanilla<\/a> is actually derived naturally from the vanilla orchid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Madagascar, Mexico, and Indonesia are the three most common places where vanilla orchids are cultivated<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s increasingly rare, and therefore, increasingly expensive.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nCan You Put Cologne In a Diffuser?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Can You Put Fragrance Oils In a Diffuser?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Can You Put Vanilla Extract In a Diffuser?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n