DIY Aftershave with Essential Oils

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

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. 

Now that we got all the background information out of the way, we can get on to the recipes!

Customizable Recipes:

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. 

Conclusion

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.