Guide
Máy xông tinh dầu
Essential oils can enter the air via water vapour, dry mist, heat, or natural evaporation.
Oils can also reach the skin when diluted in a carrier oil, enter bath water when blended with salt or whole milk, or sit in a small rollerball bottle carried in pocket.
Four methods. Each with its own dilution ratio, each with its own safety limit.
Diffusion is the most common method. A device turns essential oil into cold mist or warm vapour, dispersed in the room air. No skin contact. Everyone in the room breathes the same scent.
| Type | Mechanism | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Ultrasonic | Needs water. 2.4 MHz ultrasonic waves create a cool mist. | Most popular in Vietnam (~300-600K VND). Has LED lights. Moderate scent throw. Essential oil diluted in water, gentle. |
| Nebulizing | No water. Pressurized air pump sprays undiluted essential oil directly. | Strongest, widest-spreading scent. Uses more oil (~3-5 times). Expensive (~1-3M VND). Undiluted essential oil → choose good-quality oil. |
| Reed | Bamboo reeds placed in a bottle of oil diluted in alcohol or carrier oil. Scent travels up the reeds by capillary action. | No electricity needed. Light, even scent that lasts 2-3 months. Suits bathrooms, entryways, small offices. |
| Heat | A small candle burns under a ceramic dish. The dish holds 5-10 drops of oil + a little water. | Aesthetically pleasing. The simplest option. High heat can break down the volatile molecules of citrus and mint. Scent fades once the candle goes out. |
| Candle warmer | A small halogen lamp warms the dish (no flame). The dish holds oil + water. | Safer than a regular candle. Heat still affects the oil, but less than a heat diffuser. A middle ground between ultrasonic and heat. |
Pure essential oils are never applied directly to skin. Must be diluted in a carrier oil. jojoba, sweet almond, fractionated coconut, or warmed shea butter.
Dilution ratio depends on purpose and skin area.
| Purpose | Ratio | Conversion |
|---|---|---|
| Full-body massage | 1-2 % | 6-12 drops in 30ml carrier oil |
| Local massage (neck, shoulders, back) | 2-3 % | 12-18 drops in 30ml carrier oil |
| Sensitive skin, children >5 years | 0.5-1 % | 3-6 drops in 30ml carrier oil |
| Face | 0.5-1 % | 3-6 drops in 30ml. Patch test first. |
| Inflamed skin, wounds | Do not apply | Wait for skin to heal. Avoid phenol/aldehyde oils. |
Patch test: apply 1 drop diluted blend on inner forearm. Wait 24 hours. If no itch, redness, or burning, continue use.
Essential oils do not dissolve in water. Pouring oils directly into a bath creates droplets floating on the surface. undiluted oil contacts skin and can irritate.
Must be blended with a dispersant before adding to water:
| Dispersant | Ratio | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Epsom salt | 5-10 drops blend + 1 cup (200g) salt | Most popular. The mineral magnesium helps muscles relax. |
| Whole milk | 5-10 drops + 200ml milk | Milk lipids keep the essential oil dispersed. A Cleopatra tradition. |
| Honey | 5-10 drops + 2 tbsp honey | Honey keeps skin moisturized. Mix well before pouring into warm water. |
| Carrier oil | 5-10 drops + 30ml jojoba/coconut | Preferred for dry skin. Leaves a nourishing layer of oil after bathing. |
Water 35-38°C. Essential oils lose volatility above this. Avoid hot baths > 40°C with phototoxic citrus (bergamot, lime, cold-pressed lemon). irritation rises with heat.
Glass bottle 10ml or 30ml with a roller ball at the tip. Contains essential oil diluted in carrier. Roll over pulse points (wrist, temple, nape, behind ear) or target areas.
Pocket-portable. Use anywhere.
| Chai size | 1% ratio | 2% ratio | 3% ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10ml roll-on | 2 drops blend | 4 drops | 6 drops |
| 30ml roll-on | 6 drops blend | 12 drops | 18 drops |
Roll-on carrier: jojoba (closest to skin sebum), fractionated coconut (odourless, non-greasy), sweet almond (affordable, medium absorption). Avoid olive. oxidises quickly in small bottle.
| Purpose | Best method |
|---|---|
| Scent for the whole room, can be switched off when needed | Ultrasonic diffuser |
| Strong scent for large rooms, events | Nebulizing diffuser |
| Light 24/7 background scent, entryways, bathrooms | Reed diffuser |
| Scent for 30-60 minutes, ambient, evening | Heat diffuser or candle warmer |
| Massage for muscle relaxation | Topical 1-2% in jojoba |
| Bath after a long day | Bath with Epsom salt, 5-10 drops |
| Carry with you, use when needed | Roll-on 30ml 1-2% concentration |
| Children >5 years, sensitive skin | Short diffuser sessions, topical 0.5% |
Pure essential oils are not for internal consumption. Not for eyes, nose, ears. Keep away from children under 3 (CNS risk with 1,8-cineole and menthol).
Phototoxic citrus (bergamot, cold-pressed lime, cold-pressed lemon, grapefruit). avoid topical if sun or sunbed exposure within 12 hours. Bath OK as it rinses off.
Pregnancy first trimester. avoid high concentrations of thyme thymol, basil estragole, sage. Short diffuser sessions are acceptable.
Epilepsy. avoid rosemary 1,8-cineole, fennel, eucalyptus globulus at high doses.