Layering of my diffuser blend: it's bumming me out. - Chemists Corner

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Layering of my diffuser blend: it’s bumming me out.

Posted by Margaret2 on February 3, 2015 at 3:54 am

Hello chemists,

I made a reed diffuser mix today. Is there something I can add to this to stop the layering that is happening? I assume it’s a difference in densities issue (right?), so, is there something that can keep my blend from forming the layers?

I had read somewhere that citrus & lavender “essential oils” are the worst at causing this layering, but by golly, this sure smells nice!!

70% propylene glycol

17.5% secret mix of grapefruit & lemon “essential oils” & a rose fragrance oil

8% PERFUMER’S ALCOHOL INCI: SDA 40B 200 proof, isopropyl myristate, isopropyl alcohol

4.5% AROMA FIX: INCI: PPG-20 Methyl Glucose Ether

Thanks for any info. you fling my way.

Margaret2 replied 9 years, 1 month ago 4 Members · 4 Replies
4 Replies

belassi

Member
February 3, 2015 at 4:40 pm

I hate to say this, but … the forum is for cosmetics. I’ve no idea about things like that.
Bobzchemist

Member
February 3, 2015 at 5:31 pm

I think you have solubility issues, not density ones. Density will be totally irrelevant in a formula that is completely soluble and is well-mixed initioally.
ozgirl

Member
February 3, 2015 at 10:36 pm

The formulas I have come across for reed diffusers use dipropylene glycol (DPG).

I am guessing that because you are using propylene glycol rather than DPG you are having solubility issues.

I have also seen a couple of formulas that use use a carrier oil such as fractionated coconut oil, sweet almond oil or mineral oil in combination with the alcohol and fragrance.

Hope this helps
Margaret2

Member
March 21, 2015 at 2:41 am

I finally got around to making a new diffuser blend and I used dipropylene glycol instead of the propylene glycol as written in the initial post. Sorry, I am not near my book to give the INCI names for the glycols.

The diffuser blend is still showing layering, but it is much less with the DPG.

I have tried mineral oil and perfumer’s alcohol as the diffuser base in the past and it worked about as well as DPG with perfumer’s alcohol did.

Thanks for the comments/help!

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