Can you add essential oils to humidifiers?

When temperatures turn cold and the air gets dry, naturally you want to break out that humidifier—and you wonder, “Can I add essential oils to my humidifier?” Now, we totally understand why you’d want to liven up your humidifier’s odorless mist with your favorite essential oil. However, the short answer is you should not add essential oils to your humidifier.

No worries—we’ll explain why! We’ll touch on the basic differences between humidifiers and diffusers, including their design, function, and the materials used to make them. All these factors affect how they interact with essential oils.

Humidifiers versus essential oil diffusers

First, the main difference between diffusers and humidifiers is that they were created for different purposes. Your humidifier is designed to add moisture to the air, usually to handle the effects of dry, cold weather such as sore throats, congestion, and dry skin. Diffusers were created specifically to add aromatic oils to the air, not humidity.

Humidifiers typically come in two different models. Cool-mist humidifiers, or evaporative humidifiers, use a combination of nebulizers and a wet-wicking filter system. The wet-wicking system filters minerals and other extras from your water, so only the pure water turns into a cool mist that disperses into your room.

The other kind of humidifiers are warm-mist humidifiers. They often boil water to release the steam and its moisture into the air. Neither of these kinds of devices and their technologies really mix well with oils.

Next, we’ll discuss diffusers and how their technology works with oils. Diffusers come mostly in two different styles as well: ultrasonic and atomizing diffusers.

With ultrasonic diffusers, you combine water and essential oils in the diffuser. Switch it on and the diffuser uses electronic frequencies to vibrate a plate or disc at the bottom of its water reservoir. The vibration breaks the water into particles, transforming it into a mist that carries the oils with it as it floats out of the diffuser and fills the room.

Can an ultrasonic diffuser act as a humidifier? Yes and no. While ultrasonic diffusers do add moisture to the air, their reservoir is usually smaller than a humidifier’s water tank, so they can’t introduce as much moisture to the air as a humidifier would.

The other kind of diffuser is an atomizing diffuser, also called a nebulizer. Atomizing diffusers move air rapidly through a trough of essential oil, which creates a vacuum that reduces the oil to a vapor that emerges from the diffuser. This vapor looks very similar to what you’d see coming out of an ultrasonic diffuser, except the atomizing diffuser produces undiluted oil rather than a mixture of oil and water.

Why you shouldn’t use essential oils in a humidifier

While adding essential oils to your humidifier may seem like a good idea at the time—why not get the best of both worlds?—essential oils can destroy a humidifier.

Humidifiers contain many plastic parts, including the water tank and some machinery. Adding concentrated essential oils to those parts can eat away the plastic and break it down. It won’t happen overnight; but over time, essential oils can lead to wear and tear that will ruin these parts of your humidifier.

In a cool-mist humidifier, the essential oils can also clog the filters in the wet-wicking system. This can cause the humidifier to stop working or even break down completely.

In a warm-mist humidifier, the trouble isn’t so much what the oil does to the device but how the device changes the oil. High heat can alter the makeup of the essential oil, changing the scent profile and the potential benefits.

Of course, there are exceptions to every rule. Humidifier technology has come a long way, providing several options to use one with essential oils. Some humidifiers now come with an essential oil tray, ring, or filter that passes the water mist or steam through a filter that adds essential oil to it. Always check the manufacturer’s directions on your humidifier to see if you can add essential oils to it or not.

Now that you know about the different kinds of diffusers out there, find out which type of diffuser is right for you. Once you’ve picked out the right one, you’ll want to learn about how to take care of your diffuser.

What oils see you through the cold winter months?

Ahh, the scents of the holidays…warm sugar cookies, candy canes, a crackling fire, and freshly fallen snow. Sometimes the scent is enough to bring you back to another time and place. If you want to take your senses on a trip down holiday memory lane, look no further than the Simplified by Jacob + Kait Winter Collection.

Brought to you by Jacob and Kaitlyn Young in partnership with the D. Gary Young Research Institute, this festive collection comes with three limited-time scents for the most wonderful time of the year.

But how do Young Living’s winter-inspired scents stack up to your favorite holiday candles and air fresheners? Let’s find out.

Simplified winter essential oil blends vs candles and air fresheners

Here are five reasons to ditch synthetic scents this season for the Simplified by Jacob + Kait winter blends.

1. Clean ingredients

Most commercial candles are made from paraffin wax because it’s a cheap byproduct of gasoline production. While soy and beeswax candles are cleaner, they still have some drawbacks when it comes to safety and vegan friendliness.

Air fresheners aren’t a clean alternative either, as they’re made from fragrance oils dissolved in alcohol. Not to be confused with essential oils, fragrance oils are manufactured in a lab to mimic scents found in nature.

The Simplified winter blends, on the other hand, are made exclusively with good, clean ingredients. The only contents you’ll find in these blends are premium essential oils, plant extracts, and fractionated coconut oil.

2. Sustainability and eco-friendliness

Since paraffin wax candles contain a byproduct of fossil fuel, they’re highly unsustainable. Soy wax candles are more environmentally friendly, but they’re still not the most sustainable option due to deforestation concerns in the soybean industry.

As for air fresheners, they can contain harsh chemicals that pollute the environment—not very green of them!That brings us to the Simplified winter blends, which are made with sustainably sourced and naturally derived ingredients. Learn more about our sustainable farming practices here.

3. Longevity

While different types of candles vary in burn time, generally, an 8-ounce candle will last up to 50 hours. Plug-in air fresheners have a longer lifespan, with some cartridges claiming to last a month or more. Since the longevity of essential oils is a bit trickier to determine, we’ve done the math for you.

• Each 10 ml blend holds approximately 170 drops of oil.
• 170 drops / 5 drops in your diffuser each time = 34 diffusing sessions.
• 34 sessions × 8 hours of diffuser run time = up to 272 hours of diffusing for each blend.

That’s a lot of bang for your buck!

4. Safety

Any time you have an open flame, you also have a risk of a fire hazard. This makes air fresheners and essential oils a less risky option compared to candles. However, air fresheners still carry the risk of polluting your indoor air, which means the Simplified blends come out on top once more.

5. Cruelty-free certification

When shopping for cruelty-free candles, you’ll want to avoid any with beeswax on the ingredients list. Soy and paraffin wax candles—as well as air fresheners—don’t normally contain animal-derived ingredients, but they may be manufactured by brands that test on animals.

That’s where the Simplified winter blends win again. They are cruelty free, vegan friendly, and made with gluten-free ingredients to boot!

About the Simplified Winter Collection

When you want to recreate your favorite holiday scents without synthetics and smoke, look no further than our Simplified by Jacob + Kait Winter Collection. Featuring Winter Spa, Pink Champagne, and Candy Cane essential oil blends, this festive trio captures the essence of the holidays better than any candle or air freshener.

Learn all about each blend below!

Winter Spa essential oil blend 

Picture a posh spa in a snowy mountain lodge—that’s how we’d describe this dreamy, rejuvenating blend. Use it in place of your favorite cozy-season candles to bring the wonder (and calm) of winter to life.

How it smells: Fresh, soothing, and revitalizing

What’s in it: Bergamot, Tangerine, Eucalyptus Radiata, Lavender, and Ylang Ylang

How to use it: Diffuse, add to bath salts, or use in a linen spray

Pink Champagne essential oil blend 

Cheers to the new year with this bright, bubbly blend made for celebrating with your loved ones. Its soft, fun, romantic aroma will set the tone for every special occasion, from candlelit dinners to new year countdowns.

How it smells: Bright, fruity, and floral

What’s in it: Grapefruit, Bitter Orange, Jasmine, and Ylang Ylang

How to use it: Diffuse, add to a bubble bath, or wear as a body spray

Candy Cane essential oil blend 

Inspired by your favorite striped candy, this nostalgic blend will transform your home into a magical, minty wonderland. Use it to welcome your holiday guests with a cheerful, mouthwatering aroma instead of harsh chemicals.

How it smells: Sweet, minty, and decadent

What’s in it: Vanilla, Peppermint, Balsam Copaiba, and Wintergreen

How to use it: Diffuse or add to unscented lotion and hand soap

Whether you keep the Simplified Winter Collection for yourself, gift it to a loved one, or both, it’s sure to bring out your festive side long after the holidays have passed.

If you were writing this post, how would you describe our winter blends?

Let us know in the comments!

Between family gatherings, travel, and financial pressures, the holidays can be a stressful time—and these are only some of the hurdles people face this time of year. For some, it can get even more complicated. If you have lost a family member or loved one during this time, it can also trigger feelings of grief, depression, and anxiety.

Feeling emotionally stable and grounded is essential during this time of year. Here are our suggestions for success during the holiday season.

12 ways to support your emotional wellness this holiday season

1. Prioritize your wellness

With all of the extra pressures and changes in schedules, it can be tempting to abandon your wellness routine during the holidays—but staying focused on self-care is key to feeling good. Taking time off from work, exercising, eating well, getting a good night’s rest, and finding time for yourself are great ways to stay grounded.

2. Maintain a good schedule

You can sometimes overextend yourself with the demands of parties and social gatherings. You don’t have to attend every party, so plan for the important ones and be willing to stay home when your health requires it

3. Participate on your own terms

You can often feel like you must stay for the duration of every event you attend, but this may run counter to what your mind and body need. Do what feels right for you and let the host know how long you can visit ahead of time.

4. Practice mindfulness

Focusing on the present moment is a great way to remain calm. If you find yourself experiencing interpersonal conflict, look for ways to be mindful, grounded, and intentional about how you navigate those feelings. Meditate each day with your favorite Young Living essential oil or blend to stay present and relaxed.

5. Create a safe space

Make a comfortable area where you feel safe in your bedroom or any room in your home. Diffusing Young Living essential oils is a great way to find a moment of calm. Have conversations with people who are supportive and affirming and understand that you do not have to have conversations about unresolved issues.

6. Get plenty of rest

Sleep is one of the most important parts of your health. If you tend to stay up later during the holidays and not get adequate rest, that lack of sleep can affect everything from your GI system health to your immune system.

7. Avoid over-celebrating with alcohol; drink in moderation or not at all

There are lots of cliches about holiday parties that go off the rails. Be sure to keep a level head and stay clear of chaos. Alcohol can be relaxing, but it is a central nervous system depressant that can make it difficult to regulate emotions.

8. Practice practical coping skills

Use coping methods that work for you. Exercise, yoga, and meditation are great examples, but choose whatever works best for you to stay focused and calm. Practice daily to stay on top of your emotional wellness through the holiday season.

9. Find some downtime

It’s easy to overextend yourself for events and gatherings. Schedule some downtime each day so you have time to relax and enjoy yourself.

10. Stay on track with your supplements

Taking supplements to support overall health is essential. Traveling and being out of your own environment can be stressful and impact your body. Make sure to stay consistent with supplements so your body gets the key nutrients it needs. Products like NingXia Red® beverage, NingXia Greens supplement, Life 9® probiotic, and Master Formula multinutrient complex can help.

11. Get a massage or a Raindrop bodywork session

Massage is one of the best ways to unwind, and a Raindrop Technique bodywork session is a highly beneficial way to show yourself some extra love and care.

12. Create new traditions

Honoring family traditions is important, but you can also create new ones. Creating a new tradition that is fun and sustainable is a great way to prioritize your mental health and wellness.

The holidays are a wonderful time to connect with family and friends. As you enjoy these times, stay on track with your emotional wellness and continue to use Young Living products to provide support.

Looking for extra support during the holidays, check out these Christmas diffuser blends for all your holiday emotions. If you need more info on the basics of emotional wellness and stability, read more on this blog post for ways to emotionally well all year round.

How do you stay healthy during the holidays?

Share your tips in the comments below!