Solving Cloudiness and Separation in Reed Diffuser Formulations

For your Reed Diffuser formulation (DPG 50%, Ethyl Alcohol 30%, Essential Oil 20%), the cloudiness and separation occur because the essential oil concentration is too high for the solvent capacity of the Dipropylene Glycol and Alcohol mixture.

Regarding the use of Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate and Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate:

• Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate: This ingredient is soluble in glycols and can act as a solubilizer. It is a better candidate between the two for your formula because it can help bridge the gap between the oil and the glycol/alcohol base.
• Polyglyceryl-6 Caprylate: This is primarily a water-soluble surfactant used in micellar waters. While it has solubilizing properties, it is less ideal for an anhydrous (water-free) solvent system like a reed diffuser.

Caution: Using these surfactants in a reed diffuser may lead to unwanted foaming if the bottle is shaken and could potentially slow down the wicking process (the travel of the liquid up the reeds) because they increase the viscosity and change the surface tension.

Recommended Solutions for a Clear Solution:

1. Use a Specialized Base:
   Instead of mixing DPG and Alcohol yourself, using a pre-formulated base designed to hold high fragrance loads (up to 20-25%) will ensure a clear, stable solution and better scent throw.

   • Reed Diffuser Base (Type 1)
   • Reed Diffuser Base (Type 2)

2. Switch to a Stronger Solvent:
   Standard Dipropylene glycol has limited solvency for certain essential oils. Replacing some or all of the DPG with Dipropylene Glycol Methyl Ether is a common industry practice. It is a much more powerful solvent that can easily clear up cloudy mixtures and helps the fragrance evaporate more consistently.

3. Use a Dedicated Fragrance Solubilizer:
   If you prefer to keep your current base, adding a specialized solubilizer like Flora Solve™ Clear may be more effective than using cosmetic surfactants.

4. Adjust the Alcohol Ratio:
   Increasing the Ethyl Alcohol (99.5%) content can help dissolve the oil, but be aware that this will make the diffuser evaporate much faster.

Summary: You can try adding Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate at 2-5% to see if it clears the mixture, but for professional results, switching to a dedicated Reed Diffuser Base or using Dipropylene Glycol Methyl Ether as the primary solvent is highly recommended.