An oil diffuser is one of the easiest and most efficient ways to harness the many potential benefits of essential oils. It’s often safer and far less messy than applying it to the skin. Some people’s skin is irritated by this direct contact – and it allows you to fill an entire room with potentially healing aromas. But most diffusers come with extensive instructions about how to set them up and what batteries or power sources you should use to power them. What is often not so clear is the answer to this question: how much essential oil do you put in a diffuser?
How Much Essential Oil Do You Put in a Diffuser Anyway?
If you’re using a diffuser for the first time and are unsure of how much essential oil to add, keep in mind that the general rule is to add sparingly at first. More drops can be added gradually rather than all at once, which is easier than trying desperately to remove oil if you have added too much! Since these oils are frequently extremely concentrated, only a small amount can produce a noticeable amount of fragrance.
You don’t want to use too much fragrance in a single area. If inhaled, any fragrant product, including essential oils, can irritate the respiratory system. Instead of a dousing of fragrance, you want to go for a faint hint. When it comes to making use of essential oils released into the air for aromatherapy purposes, moderation really is the key to success.
Typically, 3-5 drops of essential oil should be added to 100 cc of water. Naturally, the quantity you apply will depend on your preferences and the size of the room. Larger rooms will benefit from a little more oil.
Although diffusers exist in various sizes, these are usually measured in 100ml increments, making it reasonably simple to determine how many drops of essential oil to add. On average, 3-5 drops are needed for the smallest 100ml diffusers. While 15-20 drops are needed for the largest 500ml diffusers.
After using your diffuser several times and experimenting with various essential oil varieties, you will have a good understanding of how many drops are required to make your space smell precisely the way you want it to.
Tell Tale Signs You’ve Added Too Much Oil to Your Diffuser
If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s possible that you’re using too much essential oil in your diffuser 
- Sudden headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
Unless you live alone, you should also remember to check to see how your experiments with essential oil diffusing are affecting others. And if your roommates include cats and/or dogs remember that their sense of smell is far better than yours – 1,000 to 10,000 times better in the case of dogs, only a little less for cats. So you may want to limit the use of the diffuser around them if it seems to bother them.
How Many Drops are in a 10ml Bottle of Essential Oil?
In a 10ml bottle of essential oil, there are 200 drops. This means that if you’re using a 100ml diffuser, you can get between 40 to 65 uses out of a 10ml bottle of oil.
How Many Drops of Essential Oil to Add to Lotions?
Essential oils can be a wonderful complement to lotions without fragrance and can give your spa ritual a special, luxurious touch.
The recommended ratio for blending essential oils with lotion is 3 drops of oil to 10 ml of lotion, though this can be changed based on choice. When combining essential oils with carrier oils like grapeseed and jojoba for massage, this is an excellent ratio to work with as well.