Photo courtesy of Vitruvi
Essential Oils to Diffuse for Every Mood
Intuitively, we know that smell and moods are intricately connected. A certain scent can trigger warm, comforting feelings, while another can bring up not-so-pleasant ones. That’s because as aromas move through our noses, they activate our smell pathways (or olfactory system) and stimulate areas of the brain that process feelings, emotions, and memories, like the amygdala and hippocampus.
Essential oils have concentrated aromas that can activate different feelings and emotions to help shift our moods. They inspire three general states—energizing and uplifting, calming and soothing, and grounding and rejuvenating—with lots of variability in between depending on your vibes.
1
ENERGIZING AND UPLIFTING ESSENTIAL OILS
-
Citrus and mint oils are widely used to help create an uplifting mood—just a whiff of orange peel or mint leaf can perk you up.
For a lively refresh, pink grapefruit oil is a popular citrus oil with a bright, crisp aroma that can lift the energy of most rooms. And research shows it has beneficial antioxidant properties, too.
vitruvi Grapefruit Essential Oil is cold-pressed from the rind of grapefruit and comes in The Essentials Bundle. Add about 10 to 12 drops to the diffuser and enjoy. (A couple of drops in your favorite scrub can give a brightening boost to your morning ritual, too.) If you’re looking for a warming citrus aroma to brighten your mood, research shows that bergamot oil (pressed from an Italian citrus fruit) may help reduce occasional feelings of anxiety and be uplifting.
-
vitruvi
THE ESSENTIALS BUNDLE
goop, $53SHOP NOW
And for those minty pick-me-up moments, peppermint oil’s effects may enhance memory and focus.
-
THE EXCLUSIVE GOOP BUNDLE
Bergamot and peppermint oils are blended in our vitruvi x goop bundle—now with two new blends: Moonbeam and Golden. In a diffuser, the bathtub, or the palms of your hands, Boost smells like a citrusy summer afternoon, and Pacific like a beach vacation. Moonbeam smells like a verdant garden after rainfall, and Golden is like a bright and cozy blend of optimism.
-
vitruvi x goop
THE GOOP BUNDLE
goop, $110SHOP NOW
2
CALMING AND SOOTHING ESSENTIAL OILS
Lavender can help bring the mind and body into a calmer state and promote better sleep quality. Eucalyptus can be soothing, which is why it’s often used in spas. And research shows that ylang-ylang’s full-bodied floral aroma may increase a sense of calmness.
-
THE PACIFIC ESSENTIAL OIL BLEND
vitruvi
Pacific Essential Oil Blend
goop, $28SHOP NOWFor a relaxing-by-the-ocean feeling, vitruvi’s Pacific is like a beach vacation, bottled. The combination of bergamot, amyris, basil, lavender, and eucalyptus is an herbal scent that conjures up the deep peace of a walk along the waves and the simple pleasure of a beach bonfire.
-
THE DUSK ESSENTIAL OIL BLEND
vitruvi
Dusk Essential Oil Blend
goop, $28SHOP NOWIf you’re looking for a dreamy, moonlit-desert-walk scent, this blend of tree bark, frankincense, eucalyptus, and lavender is it.
3
GROUNDING AND REJUVENATING ESSENTIAL OILS
Connecting with nature helps us ground and decompress. Which means earthy essential oils often have the effect of helping us feel both centered and rejuvenated at the same time.
With its deep, woodsy aroma, frankincense oil can be used to create a tranquil mood and help you come down after a chaotic day. And emerging research shows it may help renew energy levels. Spruce oil’s crisp scent gives a restorative dose of nature any time of day. And for an herbal, woodsy aroma with a hint of mint, rosemary oil’s unique scent can have a balancing effect. Research shows it may have many therapeutic benefits, too.
-
THE GROVE
ESSENTIAL OIL BLENDvitruvi
Grove Essential
Oil Blend
goop, $28SHOP NOWA woodsy mix of pine, spruce, fir, and cedarwood.
-
The Portable
Diffuservitruvi
Move
Diffuser
goop $182SHOP NOWThe Move Diffuser is cordless and runs on a rechargeable battery, which means you can easily diffuse anywhere you want to: bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, hallway, wherever. It even fits nicely in a car cup holder.
-
THE MIXED FEELINGS ESSENTIAL OIL BLEND
vitruvi
Mixed Feelings
Essential Oil Blend
goop, $32SHOP NOWRosemary serves as a lovely base note aroma in vitruvi’s Mixed Feelings—a blend concocted to evoke all types of emotions and memories.
THE UNWIND KIT
This flight of essential oils is something you’ll reach for when you’re unwinding from a hectic day or settling down for the night. It includes four of vitruvi’s star blends: Dusk is herby and warm and reminds us of dry air and sunsets. Quiet smells like fresh flowers on a slow afternoon. Nightcap is spicy and citrusy; it sets the mood. And we want to diffuse Sleep—with its mix of lavender, frankincense, ylang-ylang, chamomile, and vetiver—all night long.
Essential Oils to Stash in Your Bag
When you want a vibe shift, simply glide the rollerball tip in the palm of your hands, over your pulse points, or anywhere you choose and breathe in deep. All blends are diluted in jojoba oil, so they’re safe for skin.
-
THE HARMONIOUS
ESSENTIAL OIL BLENDWe like to use this essential oil blend when we could use a little balance and self-compassion. It’s made with white rose, tuberose, neroli, and sandalwood.
Daughter Alchemy
Heart Salve
goop, $98SHOP NOW -
THE TRAVELER’S
ESSENTIAL OILThe scent of herby lavender, earthy pine and patchouli, and refreshing peppermint and lemon myrtle inspires energy and clear-headedness, which can come in handy on a long trip. It doesn’t have a rollerball, so it’s best used by dabbing just under the nose.
de Mamiel
Altitude Oil
goop, $48SHOP NOW
The Crystal-Infused Essential Oil Blends
These blends are handmade in Collingwood, Canada. Empath evokes warmth and protection with tulsi, sage, and geranium. Slow Vibes inspires calm and ease with blood orange, blue tansy, and sandalwood. Self-Love encourages love and tenderness with ylang-ylang, yuzu, and neroli.
Related Reading
Ask Gerda: What’s the Point of Diffusers and Essential Oils?
This article is for informational purposes only, even if and regardless of whether it features the advice of physicians and medical practitioners. This article is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice. The views expressed in this article are the views of the expert and do not necessarily represent the views of goop.