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When creating home fragrance products, choosing the right diffuser bases can just as important as selecting the perfect fragrance oil. Your base affects how your product performs, how the scent throws, and even how eco-friendly or safe the final product is.
Whether you're crafting products for personal use or selling as part of a growing business, understanding your options is key. With so many choices available, it can feel overwhelming - but don't worry. This guide breaks down the most popular diffuser bases so you can make confident, informed decisions.
Among the most commonly used diffuser bases in the craft and candle-making world are Augeo, DPG (Dipropylene Glycol), and DPM (Dipropylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether).
Each has unique properties, benefits, and ideal uses, and understanding these differences can help you choose the best option for your products. Whether you’re a hobbyist or a growing brand, this guide will help you make informed decisions about your diffuser bases.
And what's more? These bases aren't restricted to just diffusers, they can be used in a whole variety of applications, making them absolute essentials for your home fragrance game!
What Is a Diffuser Base?
A diffuser base is a solvent used to carry fragrance oil in products like reed diffusers, room sprays, hoover discs, or other non-burning home fragrance items. Its job is to dilute the fragrance oil and help it evaporate and disperse evenly and safely in the air.
The base you choose influences scent throw, evaporation rate, residue on surfaces, and compatibility with your product format (liquid sprays, solid discs, reeds, etc.).
Let’s look at the three most popular diffuser bases in detail - Augeo, DPG, and DPM.
Augeo Clean Multi
Augeo Clean Multi is a modern, eco-friendly solvent made from renewable resources. It’s biodegradable, non-toxic, and has become the go-to choice for many makers who prioritise sustainability.
✅ Pros of Augeo:
Eco-Friendly: Derived from glycerine, making it renewable and biodegradable.
Low Odour: Has almost no scent, so your fragrance oils shine without interference.
Excellent Scent Throw: Provides both a strong cold and hot throw, particularly in reed diffusers.
Low Evaporation Rate: Helps your diffuser last longer.
Non-Flammable: Makes it safer to store and handle.
❌ Cons of Augeo:
More Expensive: Typically costs more than DPG or DPM.
Slower Dry Time: In room sprays, it may dry slower on fabrics or surfaces.
Not Always Ideal for All Fragrances: Some users report slightly weaker performance with specific oils or in humid environments and so thorough testing is always recommended before commencing batch production.
🌿 Best used for:
Reed diffusers
Plug-in diffusers
Hoover discs
Room sprays (with patience for drying time)
Eco-conscious product lines
Augeo Clean Multi Base
£3.99
Discover the powerful, eco-friendly alternative to traditional solvents - Augeo Clean Multi Base. With superior performance and high solvency power, it is the ideal fragrance carrier for both reed diffusers, plug in diffusers and room sprays. Made from sustainable ingredients,… read more
DPG – Dipropylene Glycol
DPG is one of the most traditional diffuser bases, used for decades in the fragrance and cosmetic industries. It’s a synthetic solvent known for helping fragrance oils dissolve smoothly and for its ability to slow evaporation.
✅ Pros of DPG:
Cost-Effective: Much cheaper than Augeo, ideal for budget-friendly or high-volume production.
Good Scent Retention: Slows evaporation, helping the scent linger longer.
Excellent for Incense & Oil Burners: Works very well in formulas that use heat to diffuse fragrance.
Easy to Use: Fragrance oils mix well with it, and it’s readily available.
❌ Cons of DPG:
Sticky Residue: Can leave a slightly oily or sticky feel, especially in sprays.
Not Ideal for Fabrics: May stain or leave residue on surfaces.
Synthetic Base: Not biodegradable or considered eco-friendly.
🔥 Best used for:
Oil burners
Incense sticks and cones
- Hoover discs
- Fragrance dilution & blending (perfume, body sprays, room spray)
DPG | Dipropylene Glycol
£15.99
Our high-quality, low-odour grade Dipropylene Glycol (DPG) is a versatile, low-toxicity solvent widely used in perfumery and cosmetic formulations. Thanks to its excellent solvent properties and mild scent profile, it’s ideal for creating a wide range of fragranced products for… read more
DPM – Dipropylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether
DPM is another synthetic solvent, but it’s lighter and more refined than DPG. It’s often used in room and linen sprays thanks to its fast evaporation and cleaner finish.
✅ Pros of DPM:
Fast Drying: Ideal for sprays that touch fabric or surfaces.
Less Residue: Leaves little to no oily film behind.
Great Solubility: Mixes well with fragrance oils and other components.
Better for Skin Contact: Often considered a better option for fine mist products or situations where skin contact might occur.
❌ Cons of DPM:
Less Longevity: Fragrance may not last as long due to the faster evaporation.
Mid-Range Cost: Generally more expensive than DPG, though typically less than Augeo.
Synthetic: Like DPG, it’s not eco-friendly or biodegradable.
🌬️ Best used for:
Room and linen sprays
Hoover discs
Air freshener bases
Misting or fine spray products (air fresheners, room sprays, linen sprays)
Fragrance dilution & stabilisation
Hair perfume / light body sprays
DPM | Dipropylene Glycol Methyl Ether
£15.99
Our premium-grade Dipropylene Glycol Methyl Ether (DPM) - also known as Dowanol DPM - is a powerful, low-odour solvent known for its excellent solvency, slow evaporation rate, and compatibility with fragrance oils. Its high performance and low toxicity make it… read more
✅ In Summary:
| Property | Augeo | DPG | DPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eco-Friendly | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ⚠️ Partially |
| Price | 💸 Higher | 💰 Lower | 💰 Moderate |
| Spray Drying | 🐢 Slower | 🐌 Slow | ⚡ Fast |
| Residue | ✨ Low | 🧴 Slightly sticky | 🧼 Minimal |
| Scent Throw | 🌬️ Clean | 🌫️ Strong, warm | 🌿 Light, fresh |
| Surface-Safe | ✅ Mostly | ❌ Not ideal for spray | ✅ Yes (in sprays) |
Why Does House of Scent Offer All Three?
We supply different bases because every maker has different needs. Some customers want fast-drying, clean-surface sprays, while others want an oilier formula for incense. Offering multiple base options empowers you to create products that match your preferences, skin sensitivities, or even room environments.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right diffuser base is a crucial part of developing high-quality, safe, and appealing home fragrance products. While Augeo is the top choice for eco-conscious makers and reed diffusers, DPG and DPM both bring strong advantages for other formats like hoover discs, room sprays, and incense.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer - and that’s the beauty of it. By understanding the properties, pros, and limitations of each diffuser base, you can tailor your products for maximum performance and customer satisfaction.
Need high-quality diffuser bases?
At House of Scent, we now stock Augeo, DPG, and DPM so you can choose what’s right for you. Whether you’re experimenting or scaling up production, we’ve got the tools to help your products shine.
We carefully source all our bases to ensure high purity, excellent performance, and compatibility with a wide range of fragrance oils. Whether you're making room sprays, reed diffusers, hoover discs or incense, you'll find a base that helps your scent creations stand out.
Our team is always on hand to help if you're unsure which diffuser base is right for your project. We love supporting makers of all sizes - from kitchen-table creators to growing businesses - and we’re proud to offer reliable products, fast shipping, and top-tier customer service.
