Essential oil diffusers: a short guide to help you choose

They are made of plastic, ceramic, glass, and even bamboo. Their shades range from elegant black to pure white, as well as wood tones. Essential oil diffusers are currently very popular, and many models exist on the market. To help you see things more clearly, here is a short guide to help you find your way and make a good choice. Take a deep breath… and let's get started!

Why diffuse essential oils?

Diffusion allows for the release of very fine essential oil (EO) particles into the air, which then make their way into our body through the respiratory tract. While some people diffuse essential oils to scent a room, the benefits of diffusion go much further than just a fresh smell! Its advantages are numerous: whether it is to facilitate breathing during a sinus infection, to calm your nerves during a stressful period, or, on the contrary, to stimulate your cognitive faculties, it is a low-cost method in the long run, easy to use, and has few side effects… provided you choose the right one!

Note: the diffusion of essential oils is safer than skin application or ingestion of EOs, which are strongly discouraged during pregnancy and for children. Check with an aromatherapist before diffusing EOs, especially if you have a specific health condition.Likewise, do not use your diffuser when a child is in the same room and limit the diffusion time to about ten minutes maximum.

Heating devices: every man for himself!

In 1898, a pharmacy employee, Maurice Berger, developed a system for scenting rooms with a burner in order to sanitize the often contaminated air of hospitals. Over the years, his invention gained popularity and became a luxurious collector's item used in the homes of the "fancy" people of the time. More than 100 years after its creation, the Lampe Berger still sells hundreds of thousands of units each year.

But as popular as it is, the Lampe Berger is said to have its share of negative effects. A study published in 2008 by the French magazine Que choisir mentions the presence of carcinogenic and allergenic particles resulting from the fumes of heated essential oils, notably formaldehyde and benzene. The Lampe Berger might therefore be no better than Febreze-style synthetic fragrance aerosols. Ouch! Well, I know I'm disappointing many with this information, but it should be noted that this is a single study, published a few years ago; further research will therefore be necessary to better identify the real risks.

In the meantime, if you choose to turn to candles, stay away from those made of paraffin, an ingredient derived from petroleum. These colored and heavily scented candles most of the time pollute the air, in addition to being allergenic for some people. My advice: instead of filling your room with the smell of cheap candy, why not open a window!

Evaporation diffusers

We are talking here about passive diffusers, which work with the natural evaporation of essential oils. They are very affordable and can take many forms:

• macrame or fabric wall pendant
• volcanic stone bracelet
• ceramic disk
• etc.

We usually keep them close to us, in order to benefit from the properties of the essential oils during their evaporation.

Nebulizers: for essential oil enthusiasts

Now we’re talking business. Nebulizers are serious: in just a few minutes, they diffuse essential oils throughout the room, and their therapeutic effects are felt quite quickly. Nebulizers also work using ultrasound, but they do not require water. You just need to add a few drops of EO and diffuse for ten minutes at most.

It was only recently that I bought my first nebulizer, a glass model designed in Quebec by the company Zayat Aroma… in the shape of a hummingbird! You should have seen my excitement when I opened the package; I must have been as thrilled as a 17-year-old girl who manages to get into a bar with her fake ID (true story, many times over… but I digress).

No, but what a beauty! I was able to try it when I had a cold. Within minutes, I felt my nose clear up with an eucalyptus diffusion. The only drawback is its price, very often over $100. But for the equivalent of six bottles of wine, it is an investment that is well worth it in my opinion and which will last, provided you use it regularly and take care of it.

The ultrasonic mister: for a zen ambiance

While the name makes you think of a spaceship part (mwahaha), the principle is simpler than taking a trip into space: you add a little water to the container (or hydrosol if you want a stronger scent) and a few drops of EO. A small disc at the bottom of the container will emit ultrasound, allowing the liquid to be sprayed as a mist into the atmosphere. You can even add a little light to it. It’s (almost) like a spa in your living room! I opted for the O’Me model from the Quebec company Aliksir. I find it super cute with its bamboo casing! Its price: around $70.

Its great advantage is that it does not heat the essential oils, thus allowing them to retain their therapeutic properties. It is a silent and very gentle method of diffusion, ideal if you have young children or pets at home. However, given the gentleness of the diffusion, if you want to chase away the bad odors your bloating caused during your new date, it might not be the best way. For the bathroom, it’s better to make a "freshener" spray with alcohol and a few drops of EO in that case. Honor is saved!

How much does it cost?

Prices vary tremendously from one model to another and are generally between $45 and $170. No need to buy the most expensive one to get a good quality diffuser, right!

The factors that will influence the price are the number of options (lighting, diffusion time), the place of manufacture (diffusers made in China are cheaper than those made in Quebec, logically), the materials (bamboo, plastic, blown glass), and the design.

Some interesting essential oil synergies

Generally, you diffuse one to three essential oils at a time and never for more than about twenty consecutive minutes. Some essential oils are not recommended for diffusion because they are gum-like or irritating, such as cinnamon or peppermint in too high a concentration.

It is also possible to buy ready-made blends, but feel free to experiment in the wonderful olfactory world!