How Do You Use a Diffuser With Essential Oils? e3’s Guide to Diffuser Types

By Caryn Gehlmann, Clinical Aromatherapist

Do you use a room diffuser? Many of our customers do. But every so often, a problem arises. For instance, someone recently contacted us with a question perfect for this month’s Q & A with Caryn… “I recently purchased a 50 ml bottle of Pine Needle essential oil. After a few times in my diffuser, it left a gummy yellow substance on the interior after misting. Is this usual? How do you use a diffuser with essential oils?”

Yes, the yellow residue from diffusing pine essential oil is likely due to its natural resin content. Essential oils, especially those distilled from needles, twigs, or resin-rich parts of a tree, can contain trace amounts of natural plant resins and heavier compounds like terpenes that don’t fully vaporize. These components can settle as a residue in your diffuser over time.

How Do You Use a Diffuser With Essential Oils?

Using essential oils in your space can help shift your mood, calm your nervous system, or energize your day. But the type of diffuser you use matters. When you purchase a diffuser, carefully read its instructions for use. But here are some general guidelines to follow:

Thicker, resinous oils, including Sandalwood, Vetiver, Myrrh, Benzoin, Patchouli, and Copaiba Balsam, may be problematic for ultrasonic diffusers because of their thicker, stickier texture. They might clog the diffuser mechanisms or leave residue on the ultrasonic plate. They require extra cleaning after use. Wipe your diffuser with a mixture of white vinegar and water to break down any residue.

Resinous oils diffuse better in nebulizing diffusers (which use air pressure, not water) or passive diffusers (like reed diffusers, ceramic stones, or diffuser jewelry). Another option is to blend them with lighter oils like Citrus, Eucalyptus, or Lavender to thin them out for water diffusers. E3’s Forest Blend is also wonderful.

Choosing the Right Essential Oil Diffuser: A Guide to the Benefits of Each Style

Here are the most common styles of diffusers and what makes each unique.

Ultrasonic Diffusers use water and ultrasonic vibrations to disperse a fine mist of water and essential oil into the air. They’re ideal for everyday home use, yoga or meditation spaces, bedrooms, and anyone who prefers a softer scent.

Benefits:

• • Doubles as a humidifier, which can support dry air or skin.
  • Quiet and safe for bedrooms and children’s spaces (Keep out of their reach!).
  • Allows continuous or intermittent settings.
  • Great for a gentle aromatic presence over time.

Nebulizing Diffusers use pressurized air to turn essential oils (undiluted) into a fine mist — no water, no heat. They’re ideal for practitioners, deep therapeutic sessions, large open rooms, or when you want a noticeable aromatic impact.

Benefits:

• • Strongest scent throw.
  • Ideal for larger spaces or therapeutic use.
  • No water means no mold risk or added humidity.

Evaporative Diffusers push air over a pad or filter where drops of essential oil have been added, causing them to evaporate into the air. One limitation is that the lighter, more volatile oils evaporate first, so the scent profile can change. But they are ideal for on-the-go wellness, cars, offices, or personal scent zones.

Benefits:

• • Often portable and travel-friendly
  • Affordable and easy to use.
  • Great for small spaces or personal use.

Heat Diffusers use gentle heat (like a candle or electric plate) to warm essential oil, causing evaporation. Heat may alter the therapeutic properties of the oils. These diffusers are ideal for occasional use, enhancing ambiance where a subtle scent is enough.

Benefits:

• • Quiet and simple, with no moving parts.
  • Some find them more aesthetically calming
  • Affordable and minimal.

Passive Diffusers evaporate essential oils from porous surfaces like stones, terra cotta pendants, reed sticks, or cotton balls (my favorite, low-cost alternative!)  These are ideal for cars, desks, bathrooms, closets, or sacred spaces where you want a gentle and constant aroma.

Benefits:

• • No electricity, no noise — pure simplicity.
  • Beautiful for decor or small spaces.
  • Slow release over time.

How to Choose The Best Diffuser for You

Every diffuser style has its strengths. Whether you’re creating a calming ritual before sleep, uplifting your mood during the workday, or infusing a healing space, there’s a method to match your moment.

Still not sure? Contact us! We’re happy to help you match your oils and diffuser to your intention.

Do Not Use Carrier Oils in a Diffuser

Carrier oils (like jojoba, coconut, almond, or sunflower oil) are meant for topical use, not for diffusion. Using them would block aroma particles from properly diffusing into the air, weakening the aroma and therapeutic effect, and altering the scent throw. Here are three more reasons they don’t belong in your diffuser:

1. Carrier oils are heavy and fatty, so they don’t evaporate into the air like essential oils do. So instead of being diffused, they just sit in the diffuser, gumming up the works.

 2. They can clog your diffuser. Most diffusers (especially ultrasonic or nebulizing types) are designed to work with the thin, volatile nature of essential oils, not thick carrier oils.

3. They can also damage your diffuser. They may cause misting issues, overheating, or total malfunction, and may shorten your diffuser’s lifespan.

Carrier oils are meant for diluting and applying essential oils to your skin in preparations such as massage oils, roll-ons, body oils, and salves. They shine for skin nourishment and moisturizing.

Don’t be shy… we’d love to hear about your experiences – how do YOU use a diffuser with essential oils?  What’s your favorite diffuser style? Do you like single essential oils or blends best? Your comment helps us better serve our community, and psssst… it may inspire our next new blend!