How to Use Essential Oils Without a Diffuser

July 23, 2024

So you’ve finally decided to harness the benefits of essential oils and collected a few bottles but don’t have a diffuser to begin? Or you have a pet and don’t want them exposed to essential oils via diffusers.

One of the most asked questions we get as an aromatherapy oil supplier is how do I use essential oils if I don’t have a diffuser? Believe it or not there are more than 32 ways to use essential oils without a diffuser. And most of them are quite simple and do not require any extra tools.

In this blog, I will explain how to use essential oils without a diffuser for therapeutics, aromatherapy and skin care.
I will also give quick hacks and recipes to use retail as well as wholesale essential oils without creating a hole in your pocket.

But before we begin, it is important to understand a diffuser and the principles behind it.

What Is a Diffuser And How Does It Work?

A diffuser is a very simple tool that is used to spread essential oils or aroma oils in the air using water and mist. There are various types of diffusers electric, candle-based, nebulizing, ultrasonic, etc. While different diffusers have different mechanisms, the core working remains the same.

There is a reservoir where you add water and essential oils. The diffuser then spreads this concoction of water and essential oils in the air, thus dispersing the aroma. The mechanism behind dispersing could be heat-based or through ultrasonic frequency. This completely depends on the type of diffuser and the size of the room.

Using Essential Oils Without A Diffuser For Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy Spray

You can make simple DIY aromatherapy sprays using water and your favourite essential oils. All you need to do is mix water with a few drops of aromatherapy oils like lavender essential oil, Rose essential oil, peppermint essential oil or lemon essential oil and pour it in a spray bottle. Shake it well and use it to uplift any space.

Pro tip: Add witch hazel to mix the oil thoroughly in water.

Car Freshener

The market is flooded with diffusers for cars but you don’t need to own to make your car smell great using essential oils. Simply place essential oil-dipped cotton balls in different corners of the car (avoid the seats as they might get stained). Essential oils are natural botanical extracts, unlike the chemical-based car fresheners you get in the market.

Wardrobe Refresher

Wardrobes and closets often develop a nasty smell that can be off-putting. You can get rid of this naturally by placing cotton balls dipped in essential oils or absolute oils inside your closet. It is important to note that essential oils tend to leave stains on clothes, shoes and bags so store them appropriately. This will leave your closet smelling like a million bucks without any harsh chemicals.

Essential Oil Diffuser Jewellery

A super creative way to use essential oils without diffusers is to make aromatherapy jewellery. Take lava beads or clay beads and pour a few drops of essential oil singles or blends on them. Now string the beads into necklaces, earrings or bracelets and enjoy the aromatherapy effects. You can reapply the oils as needed.

Diffusion Through Steam

To spread aroma using steam, take a bowl and fill it with water. Now add a few drops of essential oils and place the bowl on the gas stove on low heat. Let it simmer, as the water evaporates, it will spread essential oil molecules in your home. Remember to turn off the heat once the water level reaches low.

Essential Oil Potpourris

Potpourris refer to a mix of dried aromatic flowers and botanicals. You can easily buy them from any grocery store. Place them in a bowl and add a few drops of essential oils or an essential oil blend. The active compounds of EOs might change the colour of potpourri without affecting the quality of either of them.

Use With A Reed Diffuser

Reed diffusers are simple products that let you use essential oils without diffusers. Simply add essential oils and carrier oils for reed diffusers in the reservoir and insert reed sticks. The aroma will slowly fill up your room through capillary action. Reed diffusers are very affordable and can be easily found in any home decor store. What makes them so popular is that once set, they continuously keep dissipating the aroma without any heat.

Natural Scented Candles

I am sure you would know of this one but scented candles still need a mention of this list of 32 ways to use essential oils without diffusers. This is a creative way to use essential oils that involves you to put your DIY caps on. You can craft a wide range of candles using different categories of wax and essential oils. There are numerous tutorials easily available online. Who knows, you might just transform into a side hustle and start earning money out of it.

Add To Fake Flowers

We all miss the mesmerizing aroma of natural flowers when using fake ones. You can amp up your decor by adding a few drops of essential oils to fake or faux flowers. However, essential oils can discolour the flowers so make sure to add them either at the bottom of the vase or in the center of the flowers.

Create A Luxury Aroma Bowl

Fill your home with positivity with this simple aroma bowl technique. Take a brass or marble bowl and fill it with water. Add 10-20 drops of essential oils and some fresh flowers. Place it on your entrance or coffee table to create a positive aura.

Add Essential Oils To Crystals And Gemstones

You can improve the therapeutic benefits of crystals and gemstones by adding 1-2 drops of essential oils. Check for any possible colour discolouration first. This is a great technique to improve the chi in your house. You can also place these crystals near you during meditation and spiritual practices.

Pick Me Up Scented Tissue

No diffuser? Pour 1-3 drops of essential oils on a tissue paper or paper towel and roll it up. Then place it inside a desk drawer or cupboard for a refreshing aroma. You can also place it in your shoe cabinet or simply in the bathroom.

Using Essential Oils Without A Diffuser For Skincare

Aromatherapy Foot Soak

If creating a bath sounds like a lot, you could create a foot soak instead. Take a bucket and add some Epsom salt along with 3-4 drops of tea tree essential oil, clary sage essential oil, and orange essential oil. Soak your feet in it for 10 mins. Remove them and pat dry. Experience the cleansing and uplifting properties of essential oils without a diffuser.

Enhance Face Mask

Elevate your facial game and make a simple yet effective face mask using only three ingredients. In a bowl, add bentonite clay and make a paste using rose hydrosol. Now add 1-2 drops of chamomile essential oil, 1 drop of geranium essential oil and 1 drop of lavender essential oil. Combine well and perform a patch test before using it on the face. You can substitute essential oils depending on your skin concerns.

Manicure Bowl

Give your hands a spa-like experience with this simple DIY manicure bowl. Fill a bowl with warm water and add essential oils along with some nourishing carrier oils like Flaxseed Essential oil or avocado oil. Stir it and soak your hands in it for 5-10 minutes.

Face Oils And Serums

You can use essential oils for creating face oils and serums without even needing a diffuser. Either you can add a few drops of suitable essential oils to your existing facial oil or create your own from scratch. To create your own face oil using essential oils, combine 1-3 drops of EO with 30 ml of skin-friendly carrier oil. Do a patch test before you start using it extensively.

Simple Face Mist To Use Essential Oils

You can simply add a few drops of essential oils to a hydrosol and shake well. Store it in a dark spray bottle in a cool place. Use as required. You can easily buy a wide range of hydrosols in wholesale and bulk from Aromachology Oils.

Body Lotion

If you find body oils and massage oils to be sticky and want a more summer-friendly option, you can try using essential oils with body lotions. Take any unscented lotion or cream base and add 5-10 drops of essential oil to it. Mix well and store in an airtight jar.

Scented Soaps

This is a fun way to use essential oils without any diffusers. You can create handmade soaps with the nourishing, cleansing and enriching benefits of essential oils. There are cold process soaps as well as hot process soaps. If crafting a soap is too much for you, you can simply buy a handmade soap loaded with essential oil benefits.

DIY Bath Bombs Using Essential Oils

Who doesn’t like taking baths with fizzy and aromatic bath bombs? But truth be told, they can be quite heavy on your pocket. What if I told you that you could make one yourself using essential oils and a few other ingredients?

Combine Epsom salt, baking soda, corn starch with coconut oil and essential oils. Mix and let it set in a refrigerator. Use as needed.

Using Essential Oils Without A Diffuser For Haircare

Add To Haircare Products

You can enhance the efficiency of haircare products by adding a few drops of EOs like rosemary essential oil to them. They are a great way to improve the benefits of your shampoos, conditioners and hair masks. You can also make your hair oil by mixing essential oils and carrier oils.

Hair Mist

Just like face and body mist, hair mists work to refresh the scalp. In a spray bottle, add water, rosemary hydrosol and 1-3 drops of rosemary essential oil. Shake well and spray on your scalp as needed. It is beneficial in promoting hair growth and improving blood circulation on the scalp.

Using Essential Oils Without A Diffuser For Health

Simple Steam Inhalation FTW

One of the easiest ways to harness the therapeutic benefits of essential oils without diffuser is to add them to a bowl of hot steaming water and place your face next to add. Maintain optimum distance to avoid burns. Essential oils like eucalyptus and peppermint work very well to reduce congestion and seasonal allergies.

Make A Massage Blend

Another time-tested way to use essential oils without a diffuser for therapeutic benefits is to make a massage blend. Take a skin-friendly botanical oil like sesame oil or almond oil and pour it into a bowl. If you are planning to make it for multiple uses, try getting wholesale carrier oils from a reputed supplier in the USA. Add 1-2 drops of cinnamon oil, wintergreen essential oil and lavender essential oil, mix well and massage on your body. Don’t forget to do a patch test.

Hot Compress

Hot compresses with essential oils are another excellent way to use them without diffusers for therapeutic purposes. This method works particularly well on sore muscles. Take a cotton towel and dip it in a concoction made of warm water and pain-relieving essential oils. Squeeze the extra water and apply this warm towel to the concerned area. Repeat this 2-3 times a day.

Pillow Drops

Using essential oils to make pillow drops can improve your sleep and respiratory well-being. All you need to do is apply 1-2 drops of essential oil on the corners and undersides of the pillows. Make sure to apply it in areas that do not come in contact with the eyes and skin.

Using Essential Oils Without A Diffuser For Bath

Create a Relaxing Bath

Planning to use essential oils to unwind but don’t have a diffuser? Fret not, simply add 2-5 drops of relaxing essential oils like vetiver, rose, chamomile, and geranium to a bathtub and immerse yourself into the relaxing world of essential oils. You can also add some tea tree essential oil to get rid of any bacteria you might have collected throughout the day.

Add Them In Steam Rooms And Saunas

Another relaxing option for using essential oils is to place a few drops in steam rooms or saunas. But avoid placing them on or near surfaces that can lead to fire as essential oils are inflammable substances.

Using Essential Oils Without A Diffuser For Cleaning

Essential Oils For Repelling Insects

Essential oils like citronella and eucalyptus are efficient in keeping insects, particularly mosquitoes away. You can simply dip a few cotton balls in them and place them in different corners of the house. You will notice a significant reduction in insects over time. Make sure to place them away from pets and kids and ingesting these balls could be fatal for them.

Create A Rug Cleaning Spray

Add 2-5 drops of lavender essential oil and eucalyptus essential oil water in a spray bottle. Do a patch test on a corner of the rug for any possible discoloration. Spray on the carpet and clean it with a soft sponge. This will remove microorganisms and leave your rug smell fresh.

Using Essential Oils Without A Diffuser For Perfumes

Perfume Roll-ons

Using essential oils for perfumes is a cost-effective way to smell great naturally and to use essential oils without diffusers. Fill 3/4th of a roll-on glass or plastic bottle with jojoba oil and the rest with essential oils. Place the lid and shake the bottle well. Apply it on your pulse points as needed.

Body Mists

Who needs expensive chemical-based body mists when you can make 100% natural body mists using essential oils? Simply add 10-18 drops of bulk essential oils to 500 ml of water. You can filter this blend through a coffee paper to enhance solubility. Store it in a spray bottle and use it as desired. Shake well before every use.