Do You Mix Water and Essential Oils in a Diffuser?

It depends on the type of diffuser you have: a water-based diffuser typically uses water and a few drops of essential oil in its reservoir, while a waterless diffuser is designed to run without added water. Our White Aura Glide Portable Aroma Diffuser is a waterless pod and essential oil product, so you should not add water to its pod or mix water with its oil.

If your diffuser has a water tank, fill it only to the marked line and add the amount of essential oil recommended in its instructions; adding more oil can leave residue without making the diffuser work better. Use clean water, keep the unit on a stable surface, and empty and dry the tank after use rather than leaving water sitting in it.

With a waterless model, skip the water entirely and follow that model’s directions for adding or installing its essential oil or pod. Our Aura Glide guide is a useful starting point if you have the featured product, but the distinction to remember is simple: water belongs in a diffuser only when it has a water reservoir designed for it.

Before filling any diffuser, identify whether it uses a water tank, a pod, or another oil-delivery method; don’t pour liquid into an opening unless the product instructions identify it as a fill point. Our team also recommends cleaning the parts you handle according to the diffuser’s instructions, keeping oils away from eyes and skin, and placing the device where it will not spill or be knocked over.