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At Rough Beauty, natural essential oils and the blend of scents have always been central to our products. Scent is more than what we can smell - it ties us to our emotions, state of mind and well-being. From our handmade soaps to our moisturising oils, room sprays to diffusers, scent has been the thread that connects everything we do.
Now, we're bringing that experience beyond the bath—with our very first line of diffusers, starting with our Rattan Reed Diffusers. But what exactly is a diffuser? How do they work? And how do you choose the right one for your space?
Let’s dive in.
A diffuser is a simple tool that disperses fragrance or essential oils into the air, turning your room into a calm, inviting space. Depending on the type, diffusers can be active or passive. Active diffusers use a way to energise or activate the diffuser. Usually, technology like ultrasonic vibrations or fans are used to actively push the scent into the air. Passive diffusers rely on natural evaporation for fragrance release. This results in a slower but more natural way for the scent to be diffused.
When it comes to bringing scent into your home, diffusers offer a safe, natural, and flame-free alternative to candles or aerosol-based sprays. But not all diffusers are the same—and choosing the right one can make a big difference in how you experience a scent. Whether you're looking for something decorative, powerful, or ultra low-maintenance, there’s a diffuser type to suit your lifestyle and space.
Let’s explore the four main types of diffusers and how each one works:
Reed diffusers are simple, elegant, and incredibly easy to use. They consist of a glass bottle filled with a fragrant oil blend and a bundle of reeds that can be. The reeds absorb the oil and gradually release the scent into the air through tiny channels in their structure.
Best for: Smaller areas like bedrooms, bathrooms, and entryways
Scent throw: Gentle and consistent over time
Why we love it: Completely flame-free, requires no electricity, and doubles as a minimalist décor piece. Once set up, they work quietly in the background, infusing your space with calm.
These diffusers combine water and essential oils, using ultrasonic vibrations to create a fine, cool mist. As the mist disperses, it carries scent into the air, much like a gentle fog.
Best for: Larger or open-plan spaces, especially when added humidity is a bonus
Scent throw: Stronger and more immediate, especially with concentrated oils
Keep in mind: They require electricity and occasional cleaning to prevent buildup.
Ultrasonic diffusers are ideal for those who want both scent and a slight humidifying effect, particularly in drier climates or air-conditioned rooms.
If you’re after the purest, most concentrated scent experience, nebulising diffusers are the way to go. These devices don’t use water or heat—instead, they atomize pure essential oil into microscopic particles and release them directly into the air.
Best for: Aromatherapy enthusiasts or those looking for therapeutic-grade diffusion
Scent throw: Intense, fast-acting, and highly concentrated
Considerations: Often louder and pricier, and they consume more oil quickly
While they may not suit every home, they’re a great choice for short, focused scent sessions.
As the name suggests, heat diffusers gently warm essential oils to help them evaporate into the air. This can be done using a tealight candle or a low-heat electric plate.
Best for: Cosy, intimate settings like reading corners or spa bathrooms
Scent throw: Subtle and soothing
A note of caution: Heat can sometimes alter the delicate composition of essential oils, which may affect both scent and benefits.
These are ideal for a short-term, mood-setting atmosphere, though they do require monitoring if candles are used.
Our reed diffusers are crafted with the same care and intention we bring to all our products—from our soaps to our body oils. We designed our diffuser formula with three things in mind: purity, performance, and presence.
Unlike many commercial diffusers that use synthetic fragrances or dilute their oils heavily, we chose to go in the opposite direction.
Our reed diffusers contain a 25% concentration of natural essential oils—a higher ratio than most diffusers on the market. This means:
A fuller, more nuanced scent profile that evolves throughout the day
Better longevity, with the scent gently lingering in your space
No need for artificial enhancers or “fixatives”
Each blend is based off our crowd favourites. We started with Ashberry, Cedar Woods and Geranium Reefs - Ashberry for its energising feel, Cedar Woods for a grounding and earthy sensation and Geranium Reefs for a calming and floral mood. We will explore bringing on other blends further down the road.
The performance of a reed diffuser relies heavily on the reed itself. There are several types of reeds, bamboo, polymer and rattan. We only use natural rattan reeds because they offer the best scent diffusion while aligning with our sustainability values.
Here’s why:
Rattan has a porous, open-channel structure that allows oils to travel up and evaporate evenly.
It’s a renewable resource, biodegradable and sustainably harvested.
Unlike synthetic or bamboo sticks, rattan reeds don’t clog easily and offer consistent performance from the first day to the last.
We also cut our reeds to the ideal length for each bottle size, ensuring a balance between aesthetics and functionality.
Open the bottle and insert 5–7 reeds.
Flip the reeds after the first hour to jumpstart diffusion.
Place in a well-ventilated area (away from direct sunlight).
Flip reeds weekly for a stronger scent refresh.
Pro Tip: The more reeds you use, the stronger the scent!
We wanted you to be able to bring our scents from beyond the bathroom and into your other spaces. Whether you're working from home, winding down for the day, or simply looking to bring more beauty into the everyday, our reed diffusers are a quiet reminder to pause and breathe.
Diffusers offer a simple, flame-free way to scent your space naturally. As we expand our line, we’ll continue to blend scents that reflect the values we hold dear: simplicity, quality, and mindful living.
