Thread: Making aftershave balm

How many do this? I was thinking why not mix up some which hazle, either aloe or glycerine, vitamin E, and EO for whatever scent your looking for.

I've dabbled a little and its not like making a cake. If you mix exactly what you describe you will have a very unattractive cloudy mixture you would not want to use. I would start with basic aftershave and use alcohol water and essential oil.

When they make balms they use other chemicals so the stuff looks pleasant and feels that way. Even with many aftershaves they use clarifiers. I sure more experienced guys will chime in with some good recipies.

I'm not 100% sure what you're looking for, but you might be able to find some information here.

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Originally Posted by Rhys

How many do this? I was thinking why not mix up some which hazle, either aloe or glycerine, vitamin E, and EO for whatever scent your looking for.

Witch hazle is mostly water (sometimes with a little alcohol as a preservative) and will mix will with glycerine and aloe extract (you can actually buy this mixture along with vitamin E from Thayers). The essential oils will present a problem, however, as they are usually not soluable in water and their addition will produce a cloudy emmulsion, which may separate over time. You usually need a 60-70% alcohol concentration to fully disolve essential oils.

I figure most of the stuff is available localy and cheap enough that I can experiment with it a bit to see if it's something to continue with.

You could bump up the alcohol content on the witch hazel with some Everclear to dissolve the EOs. That's what I do.

Aftershave Experimentation Part 1 « Keen Edge

There's couple people here who make them: Olivia and Colleen.

How have you come along with the AS Kent?

BTW like the story of your great grandfather's escher. Very touching my friend :beer: