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So you want to make your own aftershave? You have come to the right place! We are going to show you how to make your very own DIY aftershave using essential oils and all-natural ingredients.
In this article you will learn:
- Why use an aftershave?
- Why would you want to make your own.
- What essential oils are suitable for use in aftershaves as well as how they benefit your skin.
- Where to source high-quality essential oils.
- What other natural ingredients are in aftershave and what they do.
- How to make three easy aftershave recipes that you can customize with your own essential oils.
- Two DIY aftershave recipes where we chose the essential oils.
Why Use an Aftershave?
An aftershave is meant to help prevent the infection of small nicks and cuts that result from shaving. They also act as an astringent, constricting the pores to keep bacteria from entering.
Aftershaves can also help bring moisture to the skin, helping to restore moisture and balance the skin barrier after running a sharp razor over it.
A great aftershave will offer anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, to calm irritated skin.
If you are someone who deals with acne, an aftershave is especially a product you are going to want to use. An aftershave will help kill the bacteria brought to your skin by shaving as well as close your pores up to bacteria after shaving.
Why Make Your Own Aftershave?
- By making your own aftershave, you know just what is going on your skin, you don't have to worry about the potentially toxic chemicals such as benzyl acetate and ethyl acetate.
- You can completely personalize your skincare. Mix and match ingredients to suit your skin type and the effects you are after.
- Natural plant extracts can have amazing skin benefits to help fight infection, cool the skin, heal nicks and cuts, provide antioxidant protection, bring balance to sebum production, and much more!
- The scent is totally up to you! We all know that easing smells put us in a better mood, so choose aromas you love.
Essential Oils for Aftershave
Here is a list of essential oils that work well in aftershaves.
Bay Rum - Bay Rum is a prevalent oil for men's skincare. It tones and softens the skin. It has a spicy herb aroma.
Sandalwood - Sandalwood helps tone and tighten the skin. It is useful for both dry and oily skin types because it helps regulate sebum production while also moisturizing. It is one of the best anti-aging essential oils.
Cedarwood - A great woody scent that helps with concentration, cedarwood is excellent for the early morning shave to keep the mind sharp.
Cinnamon Bark - With a warm and comforting aroma, Cinnamon Bark can rejuvenate the mood and stimulate blood flow to the skin, helping heal nicks and scraps after a shave.
Vetiver - Vetiver is very beneficial to the skin, helping to tone and tighten all skin types while reducing the appearance of minor blemishes. Vetiver is also cooling to the skin and thus will calm heat conditions.
Frankincense - Frankincense is used in many skin care products for its toning and smoothing effects on the skin. It can help fade the appearance of scars.
Copaiba Balsam - Copaiba Balsam nourishes and cleanses the skin. Use it to balance the skin and help heal acne.
Tea Tree - Tea tree oil is naturally antiseptic and antibacterial. It's also an incredibly useful astringent.
Red Mandarin - Works well in products meant for oily skin, Red Mandarin can help balance oil production, brighten the skin, and help heal acne.
[Read: The Best Essential Oils for Men]
Where to Source Your Essential Oils
I wanted to let you guys know about the essential oil company I use, in case you want the best quality. I know you want to get your money's worth and not get ripped off with fake or diluted essential oils.
I recommend Rocky Mountain Oils because they are transparent, committed to quality, have excellent costumer service, and user-friendly packaging.
Learn more about why I think they are the best essential oil brand.
A note about essential oils and skincare:
Always patch test your oils before using them on your face, to make sure you won't have an adverse reaction.
The maximum dilution rate for facial application is 1% essential oils to a carrier.
Other Ingredients in Natural Aftershave
Vodka - alcohol is used as an astringent to help close the pores. Some people love using it, they enjoy the crisp feeling it brings, others find it too drying. If you already have dry skin, it is best to avoid it and substitute witch hazel instead.
Witch Hazel - another astringent ingredient, witch hazel constricts pores the same as alcohol does, but without the drying effects. Witch hazel is also anti-inflammatory and helps to soothe irritated skin.
Rose Water or Hydrosols - These are by-products of making essential oils, they offer similar properties to their essential oil counterparts - but are more gentle.
Glycerin - A humectant that draws moisture into your skin and seals it there.
Aloe Vera - Offers fantastic soothing relief when applied to irritated skin.
DIY Essential Oil Aftershave Recipes
Now that we got all the background information out of the way, we can get on to the recipes!
Customizable Recipes:
Recipe 1 - Alcohol-Based
- 1/4 cup vodka
- 1/4 cup witch hazel (I like this brand)
- 2 tablespoons Jamaican rum (optional)
- 1 teaspoon glycerin (optional - use if you have dry skin)
- 15 drops essential oils for a 0.5% dilution or 35 drops essential oils for a 1% dilution
Mix together all ingredients. Pour into a clean jar with a tight-fitting lid.
Recipe 2 - Alcohol-Free
- 1/4 cup witch hazel (I like this brand)
- 1/4 cup rose water or helichrysum hydrosol
- 15 drops essential oils for a 0.5% dilution or 35 drops essential oils for a 1% dilution.
Combine liquids into a sterilized jar. Splash on face directly after shaving. Keep tightly covered. Should keep indefinitely on the bathroom shelf.
Recipe 3 - Aloe Gel Based (Excellent for Sensitive Skin)
- 1/2 cup aloe vera gel (I buy this one)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons distilled water
- 1 tablespoon witch hazel (I like this brand)
- 15 drops of essential oil for a 0.5% dilution
Combine all the ingredients in the container you’ll store the gel in. Stir until well mixed. Cover container with a tight-fitting lid. Keep in a cool, dark location. Should keep indefinitely.
Ready-Made Recipes
The following recipes have essential oils chosen for you. These are great if you don't want to try to figure out your own scent.
Refreshing Aftershave
- 1/2 cup witch hazel (I like this brand)
- 4 drops Bay Rum Essential Oil
- 4 drops Sandalwood Essential Oil
- 2 drops Copaiba Essential Oil
- 1 drop Red Mandarin Essential Oil
- 1 drop Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil
Put all ingredients in a dark colored glass bottle. Shake well before every use. You can follow it with Jojoba oil or other carrier oil.
Aftershave Spray
- 1/4 cup Witch Hazel (I like this brand)
- 2 TBSP. Rosemary Hydrosol (get it here)
- 2 TBSP. Aloe Vera Gel (this one is good)
- 7 drops Spruce Essential Oil
- 3 drops Eucalyptus Essential Oil
- 4-ounce spray bottle
Mix everything together in a spray bottle and spritz on freshly shaven skin.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed our aftershave recipes! Use them to your hearts content and enjoy the pride that comes from making your own skincare.
Important Note: We only recommend the best essential oils on the market. It is important to buy high-quality oils that are made from pure ingredients and processed correctly.
All oils we recommend above are from Rocky Mountain Oils, our number one choice in essential oils. Be sure to check out their quality and safety standards.
Have you tried making your own aftershave? What are your favorite aftershave scents? Tell us in the comments! And if you liked this article, be sure to share it with your friends.
Loved the website so much it has been added to one of my favourites. I try to stay as organic as possible but never really thought about that when it comes to skin care and am excited to try some of your recipes and will be definitely be giving your aftershave a try. Not only will it be organic unlike the others I use but it will be unique. Thanks 🙂
Thanks Martin for your comment. Glad you found it helpful, let us know how your Recipe works out! I totally agree that it’s pretty cool to have a more unique aftershave 🙂
Wow! It looks great. I love the fact that it contains essential oils. I can’t wait to make one. Thank you for sharing.
You are welcome Steven 🙂