Homemade aftershave

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03-01-2007, 06:03 AM
Kentriv

Homemade aftershave

So, I have been attempting to make my own aftershave. It is slow going. I have been playing around with the idea for a little while, and I finally e-mailed Colleen asking her about menthol and peppermint EO. I like the cooling effect a lot.

Today I went to my local health food store and bought a large range of products. I bough Peppermint EO, along with Eucalyptus EO and Cedarwood EO. I bought vegetable glycerin, witch hazel, shea butter, coconut butter, vitamin e oil, and some distilled water.

I played around with different mixtures, and came up with something that I will be calling Peppermint Cedar. It smells, ok. I am not the biggest fan of peppermint, I just like the cooling effect because the high menthol content. I am looking a source of menthol without such a powerful smell. It doesn't smell bad, but it doesn't smell all that great to me. Some might like it, but I don't much.

I have to say though, this stuff makes my skin feel good, as it has so many different things that are healthy for it. I won't use it everyday, but if my skin is feeling really dry or irritated, this stuff is going on man.

I need to experiment more. This stuff is somewhere between a splash and a balm, but I really want an all out balm. Something along the consistency and appearance of Proraso aftershave balm. I don't know how they get that milky white cream look, but I want to figure that out. Colleen was very helpful in all of this. Such an amazing woman, that one. I will continue to pick her brain for info.

My goal is to come up with a nice base, that I can then add EOs to. This is all tricky business, and will take time to figure out. I'm not planning on going commercial with this stuff or anything. I don't have the time nor facilities to make batches of this stuff for selling. I just kind of want to experiment a little with it.

Matt
03-01-2007, 04:42 PM
jaegerhund

I think when you have a water based concoction you have to watch out for microbial growth -----how are you going to handle this?
03-01-2007, 04:56 PM
Kentriv

Well, the witch hazel does have alcohol in it. It is actually 14% alcohol. And EOs work as preservatives. They have phenols in them, which are powerful antiseptics and bactericides. I also used distilled water, though that is more about purities then microbe growth. Anyway, I am pretty confident in the mixtures ability to combat microbial growth in the aftershave, though I am honestly no expert on the subject.
03-01-2007, 05:02 PM
jaegerhund

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kentriv

Well, the witch hazel does have alcohol in it. It is actually 14% alcohol. And EOs work as preservatives. They have phenols in them, which are powerful antiseptics and bactericides. I also used distilled water, though that is more about purities then microbe growth. Anyway, I am pretty confident in the mixtures ability to combat microbial growth in the aftershave, though I am honestly no expert on the subject.

I guess what I'm saying is that you don't have to use water ---if you stick to a oil based mixture then you won't have as much of an issue. I think some people use an aloe vera base ----anyway I don't know either , just trying to pose some questions.

Justin
03-01-2007, 09:08 PM
cwaggg

You should be fine I am not yet what one would call an expert, but I am a Bio/Chem double major and know the basics. The level of alcohol in the witch hazel and the phenols in the essential oils should be more than adequate to denature the proteins of most if not all bacterial cells. All depending on the amount of them you use, but I wouldnt worry too much. Just dont go crazy cause the EO's in too high a concentration will probably irritate you like a mother because of the acidity. Any qualified people out there are free to add on or tell me I am off base, but I feel like the general point is solid. Just my $0.02. :shrug:
03-01-2007, 09:46 PM
Kentriv

Hmm, the aloevera is a good idea. I started with distilled because most recipes I found called for that as a base. I had not though of the aloe.
03-01-2007, 10:27 PM
jaegerhund

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kentriv

Hmm, the aloevera is a good idea. I started with distilled because most recipes I found called for that as a base. I had not though of the aloe.

Check out this place, http://www.fromnaturewithlove.com/soap/default.asp

Justin

P.S. Check out the Shaving Soap and Aftershave pdf on this page: http://straightrazorpalace.com/compo...d,23/Itemid,3/
03-05-2007, 12:10 AM
razorrandy

Home made aftershave

I have made my own for a couple of years, here is the recipe.
5oz of vodka. 1 oz of rum. 6 bay leaves. 1/4 tsp allspice.
1 cinomon stick. 1/4tsp orange extract. 20 drops oil of bay.
15 drops of oil of clove. put in a tight contrainer. shake a couple times a day for two weeks, strain through a coffee filter, and use.
You will need to shake it before use to mix the oils in. add more or less of these oils to your liking.
03-05-2007, 05:20 AM
Kentriv

Hmm, I will have to check that one out. It seems like a bay rum recipe.
03-05-2007, 01:40 PM
FiReSTaRT

Is there anything that will keep the mix together?
03-05-2007, 05:48 PM
scarface

Quote:

Originally Posted by FiReSTaRT

Is there anything that will keep the mix together?

Well, Ilija, since you're soon to be a newlywed.....

...you could just store it on the headboard of the bed....

(...that should be good for a couple of years, anyway!...)

-whatever

-Lou
03-05-2007, 06:16 PM
jaegerhund

Quote:

Originally Posted by scarface

Well, Ilija, since you're soon to be a newlywed.....

...you could just store it on the headboard of the bed....

(...that should be good for a couple of years, anyway!...)

-whatever

-Lou

You're a bad boy, Mr. Lou. Keep it up.

Justin
03-05-2007, 06:18 PM
scarface

Actually, in thinking about it, it's probably not such a good idea, after all.....

....I mean, who wants a froth of the top of their aftershave every morning?

-whatever

-Lou
03-05-2007, 06:29 PM
Jimbo

Quote:

Originally Posted by scarface

Well, Ilija, since you're soon to be a newlywed.....

...you could just store it on the headboard of the bed....

(...that should be good for a couple of years, anyway!...)

-whatever

-Lou

A couple of years :eek: :eek: !! I gotta get me to the US. One day post wedding and you can forget about froth on your aftershave down here fellas.

"Oh beau---tiful for spa---tious skies ..." ...sniff ... sniff ...

James
03-05-2007, 06:45 PM
jaegerhund

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbo

A couple of years :eek: :eek: !! I gotta get me to the US. One day post wedding and you can forget about froth on your aftershave down here fellas.

"Oh beau---tiful for spa---tious skies ..." ...sniff ... sniff ...

James

Jimbo, I think some AC/DC lyrics went like this: She was a fast machine. She kept her motor clean. She was the best damn woman I had ever seen. She had the sightless eyes Telling me no lies. Knockin' me out with those American thighs. Taking more than her share. Had me fighting for air. She told me to come but I was already there 'Cause the walls start shaking, The earth was quaking, My mind was aching And we were making it and you - Shook me all night long, Yeah you shook me all night long.

Those Aussies weren't telling no lies. ;) --as they discovered America.

Justin
03-05-2007, 07:57 PM
FiReSTaRT

In any case the headboard is too thin for stability, so I'll have to search out some chemical means :cool:
03-06-2007, 12:09 AM
Jimbo

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaegerhund

Jimbo, I think some AC/DC lyrics went like this: She was a fast machine. She kept her motor clean. She was the best damn woman I had ever seen. She had the sightless eyes Telling me no lies. Knockin' me out with those American thighs. Taking more than her share. Had me fighting for air. She told me to come but I was already there 'Cause the walls start shaking, The earth was quaking, My mind was aching And we were making it and you - Shook me all night long, Yeah you shook me all night long.

Those Aussies weren't telling no lies. ;) --as they discovered America.

Justin

Ahhh acca dacca, poets of our generation. I've never really thought about those lyrics, but you're right, there's a subtle but faintly discernable allusion to American women in there...

All I can say is .... "A...me...rica! A...me...rica! God shed his grace on thee" ...sniffel...:cry:

James.

(PS Justin - I like your taste in music mate. AC/DC rock!!)
03-06-2007, 01:24 AM
jaegerhund

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbo

(PS Justin - I like your taste in music mate. AC/DC rock!!)

James, they don't make them like that anymore mate. And they don't make albums like Back in Black anymore. You know I'm limited in my knowledge of Australia but when I see Angus Young playing a guitar, I say to myself "now that's Australian and that's damn cool." Now let me shed a tear and sing: Australians all let us rejoice for we are young and free: We've golden soil and wealth for toil, Our home is girt by sea ......

Justin

P.S. I know my views of Australians are simple but let me live in my blissful ignorance. I like my Australians just like like they are.:)

Also, my pubes came in when Elle MacPherson was the best new thing since sliced bread --damn good time to go through puberty. They don't make them like her anymore either.;)
03-06-2007, 01:46 AM
Jimbo

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaegerhund

James, they don't make them like that anymore mate. And they don't make albums like Back in Black anymore. You know I'm limited in my knowledge of Australia but when I see Angus Young playing a guitar, I say to myself "now that's Australian and that's damn cool." Now let me shed a tear and sing: Australians all let us rejoice for we are young and free: We've golden soil and wealth for toil, Our home is girt by sea ......

Justin

P.S. I know my views of Australians are simple but let me live in my blissful ignorance. I like my Australians just like like they are.:)

Also, my pubes came in when Elle MacPherson was the best new thing since sliced bread --damn good time to go through puberty. They don't make them like her anymore either.;)

Yep, Elle is a fox, no doubt about it - even nowadays.

Dude, Aussies aren't complex (at least the male part of the population anyways). Your views are probably spot on (excuse me while I pat my pet saltie...).

James.
03-06-2007, 01:55 AM
jaegerhund

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbo

Yep, Elle is a fox, no doubt about it - even nowadays.

Dude, Aussies aren't complex (at least the male part of the population anyways). Your views are probably spot on (excuse me while I pat my pet saltie...).

James.

That's good to hear --- American males aren't that complex either ---especially us southern boys;). But if you have seen or ever do see a movie called "Deliverance" --well that might go a little too far --but just barely:D.

Justin

(excuse me while I blow up my Elle Macpherson doll)