Thread: Making your own A/S?

So I got some essential oils that I was planning on using for soaps and some of them are absolutely fantastic but the problem is finding an aftershave with the same scent so I was going to make my own, however I haven't the slightest clue of where to start. I was thinking, and this is really just a shot in the dark, of using water, aloe (juice or gel?), alcohol, witch hazel, vitamin E oil, and finally whatever EO I decide to use. I don't know if this would work or be a good mix of ingredients. Any suggestions guys?

There are many ways to make your own aftershave. Here is one recipe posted earlier this year.

oil and water are tough to combine. If you go that route I'd expect that you would have to make an emulsion. Essential oils can give up their scent to water and alcohol based liquids over time. I did scent some witch hazel once. It was simple enough. Add the oils to the witch hazels put it in a dark bottle in a dark spot and bring it out after a months. There is a long story about base notes and top notes and how a scent finishes. It is mostly how they classify the time in which the scent emerges and dissipates.

The link to the recipe posted by henryconchile and what RezDog's process entails pretty much cover it. You can take it as far as you wanna go or keep it as simple as possible.

Interestingly enough, I was just checking out the ingredients to Master's bay rum the other day, since it does so well on my face:

Water, SD Alcohol 40, Glycerine, Bay Oil, FD & C Yellow #5, FD & C Yellow #6

So, aside from the coloring, it's literally water, alcohol, glycerine and bay oil. I'd venture to say you could eliminate the water and alcohol and substitute rum and get the same effect. I'm going to bet that the glycerine is what leaves my face feeling so good afterwards as well (well, on top of my smooth shave with a straight )

Check out str8fencer's posts on the topic as well.
He makes a whole lot of it.
I was fortunate enough to have him make me a liter of Bay-rum AS.
Brilliant stuff.
Oh, he is not selling or anything, but a very knowledgable chap to converse with on the topic!

Yeah red the post that str8fencer did. That's alot of info and all good too. I am going to try it out this weekend. Does it really have to sit for a month before use?

Originally Posted by cosperryan

Yeah red the post that str8fencer did. That's alot of info and all good too. I am going to try it out this weekend. Does it really have to sit for a month before use?

While I have spent a few hours with him discussing this subject, I am afraid I'm in no position to answer that at all
(with discussing, I really mean me listening to him discuss and lecture)
But from our talks I can tell you this:
Time is indeed an important factor in making perfumes and After shaves.

I have pm'ed this thread to Sten(str8fencer), let's hope he joins in and enlighten us all on this subject!

Alright, well thank you Birnando. I am trying to stay away from the bay rum scent as my wife can't stand that smell.

Start with 190grain alcohol ( Vodka) and submerge assorted leaves, fruits, and flowers in it; essential oils will also work. Warm the liquid to hot to the touch and cap it well. ( NOT OVER AN OPEN FLAME OR BURNER) shake it every day and warm it once a week. It takes a good period of time to totally admix the oils into the alcohol. After this has been done for a month, you may add a bit of mineral oil or natural oil mixes, and let the mix stand for another couple weeks.
At the end of this time, you should have the beginnings of what may become your personal fragrance as you remake it and add and delete certain of the constituents.
Old timey aftershave products were 52%,104 proof alcohol and were germicidal in nature as well as a scent. they could be tested by the burn test. If the mix will burn, it is over 50% alcohol.
Above all, have fun!
~Richard

Thanks Geezer! Going to have to try that. Always enjoy something I've made myself more than if I bought it in the store. Have you ever tried it with oranges? That is one of my favorite scents.