Stability of Essential Oil in Clear Reed Diffuser Bottles
Question
I'm wondering why many brands of reed diffusers that claim to use Essential Oils are packaged in clear bottles. Are there disadvantages to putting reed diffusers with Essential Oil ingredients in clear glass bottles? Because, as I understand, Essential Oils should be stored in amber or blue bottles rather than clear ones. I'm asking because I also want to put my reed diffuser liquid in clear bottles (for aesthetics), but I'm concerned it will result in a poor quality product. What are the disadvantages of using clear bottles? Does it affect the scent or other properties (like aromatherapy)? Or, if it's possible to use clear bottles, are special ingredients required?
Answer
Hello, I understand your question perfectly. It's a very good question about product quality.
You are correct that pure Essential Oils should be stored in dark bottles, such as amber or blue, to protect them from sunlight and UV light. Light can degrade the chemical compounds in Essential Oils, causing changes or reductions in their scent and aromatherapy properties.
Regarding Reed Diffusers containing Essential Oils, several factors allow brands to use clear bottles, even though there are potential drawbacks:
- Concentration: The essential oil in Reed Diffusers is usually diluted in a liquid base (such as DPG, alcohol, or other solvents) at a much lower concentration than pure Essential Oil. This dilution helps reduce sensitivity to light to some extent.
- Other Ingredients: The liquid base used in the blend may have some properties that help slow down degradation.
- Aesthetics and Marketing: As you mentioned, clear bottles are aesthetically pleasing and allow the color of the liquid to be seen, which is an important factor in attracting consumers.
- Usage Lifespan: Reed Diffusers are typically used up within a certain period (e.g., a few weeks to a few months), which may be shorter than the storage time for pure Essential Oils that might be kept for years. This reduces the risk of long-term light degradation.
Disadvantages of using clear bottles for Reed Diffusers with Essential Oil:
- Degradation of Scent and Properties: Even when diluted, light can still gradually degrade the compounds in Essential Oil, especially if placed in direct sunlight. This can cause the scent to change, weaken, or reduce the aromatherapy properties over time.
- Effect on Color: Sometimes, light can also cause the color of the liquid to change.
Does it affect the scent or other properties?
Yes, it can. Light is a factor that causes Essential Oil to degrade, which directly affects the scent. If the Essential Oil has aromatherapy properties, the degradation of active compounds can also reduce those properties.
Are special ingredients needed?
There are no special ingredients that make it "completely safe" to use clear bottles. However, choosing a stable liquid base or using antioxidants in the formula might help extend the lifespan and slow down degradation. Nevertheless, the best protection for light-sensitive substances is to avoid light.
Recommendation:
If you wish to use clear bottles for aesthetic reasons, consider these factors:
- Choose Essential Oils that are relatively stable to light (some are more sensitive than others).
- Use a high-quality liquid base.
- Most importantly, avoid placing the Reed Diffuser in areas exposed to direct sunlight or very bright light sources for extended periods. Placing it in a corner of the room away from direct sun will help maintain quality much better.
In summary, while using clear bottles for Reed Diffusers with Essential Oil carries a higher risk of light degradation compared to dark bottles, it is a common practice in the market, often relying on factors like lower concentration and the product being used up relatively quickly. However, to maintain the best quality, avoiding direct sunlight remains important.
I hope this answer is helpful!