Thread: Homemade Aftershave Tips

Originally Posted by FiReSTaRT

I'd actually be interested in it if it had a more masculine scent. Not a big fan of roses or their water lol. By the way, they've been murdering me at work, so I didn't get around to buying the necessary EOs to continue my experiment.

I'm pretty sure Mary wouldn't mind making up a scent for you if you wanted. Just keep in mind that she doesn't work with fragrance oils and the rosewater actually has styptic properties (as does lime), so there's a reason for the scents Trumpers chose. Anyway, Mary sent me a second batch and she has it spot-on this time. The stuff is absolutely awesome and the only differences are that it's a little thicker than the original and it's all-natural.

Originally Posted by superfly

Don't push it with almond oil, though, it will stay on your face all day like oily film, but I think 2 tea spoons per 100ml is OK...

That's the figure I was planning on bringing it up to. The current mix disappeared too quickly and left my skin a bit on the dry side.

FS, I'd be happy to try to whip something up for you. It doesn't have to be rose water that's used. I will go to some of my supplier sites to see what "waters" are available. I don't keep these on hand as the shelf life of the "waters" is limited. I just happened to have the rose here for something else I was going to make and that was one of the Trumpers' choices listed. This can easily be made with any of the waters. I also have some "helichrysum water" here. It's a more expensive water as well as eo, but oh my, what wonderful properties it has. The water itself doesn't seem to have much of a scent, kind of a real light wintergreen scent, much different than the eo. I'll find out what is available and get back to you.
Have a great day. Mary (Soapwolf)

Thanks Mary. I'm always interested in trying new stuff. Generally I avoid the sweet and feminine scents. My experiment went awry. Too little oil leaves the skin dry and too much gives me the same issues as glycerin. I think I'm done formulating my own aftershave. I guess I can't master everything :P

FireStart,
You may really like the hydrosols (waters) used in this mix. They won't be drying like using alcohol, or oily like using a lotion. I did some checking and ordering on the hydrosols available and affordable. Here's what I have coming and their claims to fame. I'll list the ones first that will be here in a few days. The others will take longer for several different reasons.
I currently have on hand: Rose- smells just like a fresh rose. It's a humectant (draws & maintains moisture), is suitable for normal to dry, mature, sensitive and devitalized skin. Cooling and mildly astringent. An aphrodesiac. (See? Mark knew what he was doing. lol)

Helichrysum- used to reduce the redness of rosecea, reduce inflamation, aid in the healing of bruises, acne, muscular aches, gingivitus, skin irritation, bug bites.
The eo of this stuff kills pain like you wouldn't believe. I use this in a lotion for radiation burns. The hydrosol has very little smell so could be easily scented.

First new ones to arrive will be: Bay Laurel (the eo of this is used to make Bay Rum scent) I have no idea how the hydrosol will smell. "A broad acting antiseptic, antibacterial, general tonic and immune booster. First choice for cleansing and toning the lymphatic system" This would be a good thing especially if you use on your neck too. Ever get swollen glands? These are lymph glands, the garbage cans of your system.

Lavender: "Excellent for all skin types. Clearly having the wides range of medicinal properties, lavender is antibacterial, pain reducing, healing, soothing, antiseptic, antifungal, rejuvenating and deodorizing" Lavender isn't a real feminine floral, but if it's still too flowery, it mixes well with sandalwood for a manly scent. Ask Mark. A real nice blend.

Peppermint: "peppermint is antiseptic, antibiotic, anti-infectious, a tonic and stimuland. Most famous for it's digestive, anti-inflammatory and mind stimulating properties."


Coming later: Chamomile: " Best known for its ability to calm and ease the overly anxious, this Chamomile hydrosol also has one of the most beautiful floral aromas. A great hydrosol for facial and body applications" I don't know about the floral smell. I haven't smelled the hydrosol, but the plant smells like green apples.
Pleasant but tart. Chamomile is great skin care though.

Orange Flower: "Gentle, fresh, and oh so cooling. While commonly used for babies and children it is equally suitable for us grown ups and has aphrodisiac qualities."

Sandalwood: " A true steam distilled hydrosol from whole Sandalwood! Exotic, alluring and deeply mesmerizing. For those who feel actual Sandalwood is too penetrating of a scent then you will love the more subtle aroma found in Sandalwood hydrosol. Great as a general body perfume, and aphrodisiac." Also is "antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, diuretic, expectorant and sedative." Sandalwood is a very endangered species. The hydrosol is the real thing. What I use for scenting is an FO (fragrance oil), the EO being way out of my pocket range, besides the fact of it being really endangered.

Yarrow: "It's actions are anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic, antiseptic, astringent, anti-rheumatic, anti-spasmodic, carminative, diaphoretic, expectorant. Yarrow hydrosol is being tested for it's anti-oxidant properties now, but it's effect on psoriasis and eczema require no further testing. Alone, yarrow stops the itching on contact, calms the inflammation and helps heal the basal layers of the skin. Yarrow should be your first choice for insect and spider bites, poison ivy, rashes and all else that gives you the itch. Great first aid for wounds, varicose veins and cuperose" I personally did not know a lot of this, but I do know for a fact Yarrow stops bleeding right now. Look up a pic on the web. Learn it. If you are outdoorsy at all, you know things happen. Pick some, bruise up the leaves and apply to wound. It'll burn like crazy, but it stops the bleeding. I've used this on myself, my husband and my dogs. It grows wild all over. It'll work dried also.

After contacting a shaving soap maker on this list who ships out of the country, I'm willing to give this a shot. I will need you guys to pay the shipping though. I have a few samples of the Skin Food made with Rose if any of you want to try it. Also samples of the aftershave lotions I've been working on. You can contact me privately with mailing info.
Manly FO's I have available for future reference are: Mayan Gold, Dragon Blood, Sport, Commando, Blackberry Musk (I need to make this soap again), Pearberry (yep, I have guys buy this in soap), Bay Rum EO & FO, Arabian Musk, Black Cherry, Drakkar, Jovan Musk type, Myrrh, Apple Jack & Peel, Fruity Patchouli, Frankinscense & Myrhh, Spicy Orange, Sandalwood, Egyptian Musk and enough Rustic Trails left for a few lotions.
EO's- I have Cinnamon leaf, Clove bud, Eucalyptus, Lemon Eucalyptus, Lavender, Tea Tree, Litsea (lemony), Lime, Sweet Orange, Peppermint, Patchouli, Chamomile-Neroli blend, Honey Almond blend, Lavender Vanilla blend, Orange Ginger blend, Vetiver, Rosewood, Anise, Fir Needle, Patchouli, Cajeput, Spearmint, Wintergreen, Peppermint. I have others that I use for healing properties as are most of these.

For those who are not aware, Lemon Eucalyptus is rated better than DEET for keeping bugs away and it's not harmful to you. I can make a spray of this if interested.
I don't have prices worked up yet for Skin Food, or a name for that matter. I'm open for suggestions. I really can't use the same name Trumper's uses. I'm calling the Aftershave lotion "Saving Face". The samples of this have lemon and lime in them for the scent and styptic properties. Nice fresh scent, but citrus eo's can cause sensitivity to the sun. Everything used in the lotion, and it's a recipe that uses lots of different oils, is for skin regeneration. And a little bit goes a loooong way.
You all have a great day

Mary (Soapwolf)

I've had the fortune of trying out the skin food and the new aftershave and both feel really incredible. At least try a sample to see how you like the products. I'm guessing you guys will be hooked after one or two tries

Also, the CDC lists the Lemon Eucalyptus as being similar in effecetiveness to DEET. I'd be game for some of that spray! More details can be found here.

Hi Mary, I'd be interested in trying a sample of the rose skin food (hey, I'm secure enough in my manliness to appreciate a little rose heh) and some of the aftershave lotion (although to be honest I'm in the middle of a love affair with the arizona goat milk aftershave balm so you've got tough competition there). If you'll let me know how much you need for the sample I'll paypal it to you and provide you with shipping info.

For the record, of the scents you listed my favorite (and the ones I'd be most interested in) are any of the citrus scents, especially just plain old lime. Can't ever get enough lime, I love it. The non citrus scents would include the lavendar and the sandalwood. I'd take lime skin food first choice over anything else though.

-- Gary F.

Hi Mary,
I'm a graduated guinea pig (ask Colleen for my references ), so if you have any formulas you'd like to get tested, just pm your PP-id and the shipping charges to Toronto, Ontario, M8V 2N6, Canada. Looking forward to a new testing project.

My priorities are:
1) Astringent effect
2) Nothing oily/pore-clogging
3) Nice masculine scent

However, I wouldn't mind trying the rosewater stuff for effect.

Witch hazel. Works for me. Just witch hazel. Try it.

If you are looking for more testers, I'm game. I also tested some of Colleen's stuff, and am always interested in trying something new. PM me if you need another tester, and I can send you my shipping information and paypal some money to cover shipping costs.