Thread: Percentage of Alcohol by Volume in Aftershave?

I just started playing around with making my own aftershave. I haven't been able to find many concrete numbers on the percentage of alcohol in aftershaves. Thayers Witch Hazel aftershave is 20%. It's pretty calm though compared to other brands I've used. I've read a few recipes and some are around 60%. I read one source that said aftershaves are 40-60% ABV. I'll certainly experiment but if anyone has any knowledge of industry standards, or specific aftershaves and ABV, please let me know. Thanks,

Well, the bottle of DR Harris Sandalwood right here has 84% by vol written on it. I assume that means Alcohol...

You will need an alcohol level of at least 60-70% to hold most essential oils or fragrence oils in solution. Hydrosols (e.g. witch hazel, rose water) do not require any alcohol, but it is sometimes added as a preservative.

Not sure of the percentage but you might enjoy some of these here.

I remember hearing of winos drinking Bay Rum when I was a kid so I googled it and came up with this here. Apparently the percentage must be pretty high in the average aftershave.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Not sure of the percentage but you might enjoy some of these here.

Thanks for the laughs.

I remember hearing of winos drinking Bay Rum when I was a kid so I googled it and came up with this here. Apparently the percentage must be pretty high in the average aftershave.

That gives me one more number, thanks. Bummer about the early deaths, due to alcohol.

Originally Posted by fccexpert

You will need an alcohol level of at least 60-70% to hold most essential oils or fragrence oils in solution. Hydrosols (e.g. witch hazel, rose water) do not require any alcohol, but it is sometimes added as a preservative.

I am playing with EOs, so good to know. Thanks.

I've played around with making my own aftershave. I used witchazel as a base which is OK but it doesn't look very inviting. The issue is you can't use rubbing alcohol you need a grain type and I haven't found a source for the right type yet however the volumn of alcohol is very high. I would start with 75% and go up from there.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I've played around with making my own aftershave. I used witchazel as a base which is OK but it doesn't look very inviting. The issue is you can't use rubbing alcohol you need a grain type and I haven't found a source for the right type yet however the volumn of alcohol is very high. I would start with 75% and go up from there.

Do you have Everclear available in your area? It comes in 151 and 190 proof, but they don't sell the 190 proof in all states.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everclear_(alcohol)

This link has some general info that you may find useful: How to Make Perfumes and Glaces , and they carry formulator's alcohol.

Originally Posted by keenedge

Do you have Everclear available in your area? It comes in 151 and 190 proof, but they don't sell the 190 proof in all states.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everclear_(alcohol)

Actually that's what I thought, that using everclear might be a solution but I wonder if they have specific grain alcohols that perfume makers use. I guess they do.