Want Better Sleep? This Line of Aromatherapy Diffusers Is Just What You Need
The Teo diffuser. Image by @_harlowejames, courtesy of Pilgrim Collection.
I’ve been having trouble falling asleep recently, and it’s been a huge hindrance to my work. Poor sleep means that I’m less productive throughout the day, and decreased productivity means I have to work later, leading to a vicious cycle. As a result, I’ve been looking into different ways to get better rest.
Beyond basic measures like finding the right mattress and limiting as much external light and noise as possible, there’s another tool I’ve found that helps: aromatherapy. I’ve been playing around with a set of diffusers by Pilgrim Collection, and I think I’m ready to make the jump. They’re small, they’re cute, and they smell great. As a fun bonus, the diffusers also feature built-in lights, perfect for meditating or reading.
The Teo diffuser and Uplift collection of essential oils. Image courtesy of Pilgrim Collection.
Pilgrim isn’t just a home accessories brand, though—it’s a brand built on wellness. Co-founders Louis Verspreeuwen and Charles Ferrant were working in the manufacturing industry in Shanghai when they realized how much the environment was affecting them. All the burdens of living in a big city—the air and water pollution, the lack of green spaces, the frenetic pace of life—were taking a toll. Once, Charles built a makeshift air purifier and watched in horror as it turned black in a matter of days. The incident spurred him to develop a suite of products that would reintroduce a breath of fresh air to the concrete jungle.
““Pilgrim isn’t just a home accessories brand, though—it’s a brand built on wellness.””
Pilgrim is headquartered in Hong Kong, which allows Louis and Charles to visit the factories and suppliers every week to ensure the highest standards of quality and build lasting relationships. The products are good for the environment, too, using only essential oils derived from flowers, fruits, and other natural products; FSC-certified wood; BPA-free plastic; and handcrafted ceramic and glass.
Consumers and the media alike have responded well. Through a successful Indiegogo campaign, Pilgrim raised $60,000 in a month. It’s caught the attention of publications like Fast Company, Bustle, and Brit + Co, and now there are even product collaborations with Travel + Leisure and Herbivore Botanicals. I find the Travel + Leisure essential oils particularly clever: crafted to alleviate jet lag, motion sickness, and bug bites, they—plus the super-slim Sofia diffuser—might just become must-packs on my next trip.
A friend once gifted me a beautiful scented candle, but even without lighting it, I found the smell of ripe fruit too heavy; to be honest, they made me hungrier instead of more relaxed. With dedicated diffusers, you get to choose the aromas that work best for you at any time of the day, whether it be waking up in the morning or—most importantly—unwinding before bed.
Breaking Down the Products
The Sofia diffuser. Image courtesy of Pilgrim Collection.
All Pilgrim diffusers are compatible with the brand’s collection of essential oils and double as ambient light sources, but the three styles offer an extra level of personalization.
The Teo is the all-around model, ideal for users new to aromatherapy. Shaped like a teardrop, it has a minimal footprint of only 5 square inches, yet it’s able to power 4.5 hours of continuous diffusion or 9 hours of intermittent diffusion.
For purists, the Sofia may be the better choice. It’s unique in that it doesn’t require the addition of water: essential oil is diffused directly into the air, making the Sofia the purest diffuser that Pilgrim offers. With a footprint of less than 4 square inches, it’s also the smallest, able to be tucked into any corner.
If you want the most complete package, go for the Zoe. It’s capable of 6 hours of continuous diffusion; if intermittent diffusion is all you need, that number doubles to up to 12 hours. The Zoe also features increased customizability, including adjustable mist levels and a dimmer remote that allows you to control the amount of light the diffuser emits.
6 Ways Pilgrim Collection Is a Smarter Product
The Disconnect collection of essential oils. Image courtesy of Pilgrim Collection.
Range of Essential Oils: Lavender is my go-to scent when it comes to relaxing, while eucalyptus is a personal favorite when I need a boost of energy. You’ll find both, and over a dozen others, in one of Pilgrim’s sets of three essential oils, which are smartly curated around themes like “Rest” and “Strength.”
Ease of Use: There’s no instruction manual to trudge through here. Simply pour 5-10 drops of the essential oil into the diffuser, plug it in, and set your preferred mist and light intensity, and you’re ready to go. Couldn’t be simpler.
Smart Design: Thanks to their minimalist lines and small sizes, Pilgrim diffusers will match any decor and fit in virtually any space. Honestly, though, they’re so easy on the eyes that you won’t want to hide them.
Ambient Light: This might be my favorite feature. I’m a huge fan of products that serve more than one function, so the fact that a Pilgrim diffuser is also a reliable lighting source is a big plus in my book. The color and intensity of light are perfect for putting on a nightstand: ample enough that you won’t need to grope around in the dark, but soft enough that it won’t disturb your sleep.
Easy Shipping and Return: No fear of buyer’s remorse: the Pilgrim diffusers come with free 4-day shipping and free 30-day returns. That’s plenty of time to test them out before you commit to a purchase.
Quality Assurance: All Pilgrim diffusers are backed by a 1-year warranty, so you can rest assured that you’re buying a quality product.
