Looking for a decent recipe

Howdy from the stick!! And before I begin, happy and healthy New Year to all!! Now to basics.
I am looking for a recipe for a pre/after shave, something simple but useful. Maybe some Castor bean oil, Olive Oil, some Menthol and or Eucalyptis? I am trying to find an economical alternitive to say Proraso pre/post shave product, even though that is not considered a very expensive product. I'm sure somewere in this forum is such a recipe, but I just haven't found it yet.
Have a Great G/day and as always a BBS to all!!

tinkersd of SRP

Hey tinkersd,

I can't help you with your recipe, but I would recommend rose water and glycerin, two main ingredients of Trumpers Skin Food. Can't go wrong there...:)

You can also use grapeseed oil and add your own scents..be careful if you use essential oils though as some can actually irritate the skin.

tinkersd,

+1 to the above. A simple recipe usually has one or more of the following olive oil/castor oil/jojoba oil/grapeseed oil/macadamia oil/almond oil etc.

+1 on catrentshavings' suggestion WRT the essential oils !!

Some, particularly citrus oils prepared in a certain way, lead to bad phototoxic reactions on the skin !

Please see e.g.

Essential Oil safety, warnings and hazards for safe use in Aromatherapy

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

I like extra-virgin olive oil, the cheapest one you can find. Cheaper than anything else I have found that has similar nourishing characteristics for the face and beard. I use it both pre- and post-shave.
Something I started experimenting with yesterday was a product called Lansinoh. It is very pure lanolin, but it is thicker than toothpaste. I started mixing a VERY small amount with a few drops of extra-virgin olive oil and my face feels fantastic. A little extra work, though, and a little goes a very long way (I use about 2-3 drops to cover my face completely).
Must be put on very, very thin and worked in until not greasy or anything (took me about 2 mins to apply and work in). Another member found liquid lanolin on another site, but not sure of its expense and availability.

Thank you all for the great input, helps a lot.

I do use Olive oil and caster bean oil 3 to 1 blend but the essential oil's are the part I have no experiance with. Thanks again, have a great day and or course a BBS if possible.


tinkersd

Pre/post shave oils and there success depend greatly on ones diet, skin type and environment. (+ preference.) For my needs I prefer a medium to light weight combination.
The main carrier/base I use is Jojoba, Castor as a secondary and Lavender E.O. for it's qualities. A rough ratio: 67% Jojoba, 33% Castor, Lavender E.O. to your desire.
It's important that you source the best quality ingredients. Plus greater the volume you purchase the more economical. That's if you don't mind having 5 gallons of pre-shave oil on hand!

Sorry for being late to this post.

This is a witch hazel based after shave balm that I've used, it is nice and soothing.

Sandalwood and Vetiver After Shave Balm:
==================================
1 tbsp high proof vodka
8 drops sandalwood
6 drops vetiver
3 drops bergamot
3 tbsp witch hazel
6 tbsp rose water
Non alcoholic, soothing and comfortable.
After mixing, shake till you get bored (I usually last a minute or two)
Shake before use.
Pretty darn cheap, you must buy the oils but they will only set you back a few $$, a 1/4oz/1dram/5ml bottle will last you a very very long time.
Makes around 4.5 oz of finished product.

Thank you everyone for your great suggestions I will, in time put all to experiment and evaluation, I thank all my various gods every day that I found this site, like minded people and blokes alike are so hard to find these day's, and I just want you all to know this, means a lot to a fellow as my self.

Thanks again very much, tinkersd or SRP!

Never could understand why guys want to lube their faces.

:shrug:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bruce

Never could understand why guys want to lube their faces.

:shrug:

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Ahhh, my friend...it's not about lubrication but moisturization. If you're face is lubricated, you've gone WAY too far.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by str8fencer

Sorry for being late to this post.

This is a witch hazel based after shave balm that I've used, it is nice and soothing.

Sandalwood and Vetiver After Shave Balm:
==================================
1 tbsp high proof vodka
8 drops sandalwood
6 drops vetiver
3 drops bergamot
3 tbsp witch hazel
6 tbsp rose water
Non alcoholic, soothing and comfortable.
After mixing, shake till you get bored (I usually last a minute or two)
Shake before use.
Pretty darn cheap, you must buy the oils but they will only set you back a few $$, a 1/4oz/1dram/5ml bottle will last you a very very long time.
Makes around 4.5 oz of finished product.

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Str8fencer, I have never made anything with Rose water in it. Does it leave you smelling flowery?
I have no idea what bergamot smells like, but I like everything else.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by milehiscott

Str8fencer, I have never made anything with Rose water in it. Does it leave you smelling flowery?
I have no idea what bergamot smells like, but I like everything else.

---

Well yes, the rose water does add a floral scent :D It is balanced by the very masculine sandalwood, the smoky earthy vetiver and the light fresh bergamot. Is it a masculine scent? I would say yes. I just put some on and asked wifey, to my surprise she said she was not sure. I see a very simple solution if this is a problem: Use less of the rose water and more of the witch hazel (perhaps 2/7 or 3/6). Or substitute rose water entirely for orange water. Everything in the mix will work fine with it, although I did not try that scent so I can't say if it needs adjustments or so). Or make your own blend with mint water in stead (I'd recommend different oils for that blend tho).

Bergamot is a citrus fruit, and one of the oldest and most common scents in colognes and aftershaves. It was also part of the original cologne and therefore has been used in men's products for centuries.

Btw, rose has been used in men's fragrances a lot as well, but often in smaller doses and in mixes with other scents.

Have fun :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by str8fencer

Sorry for being late to this post.

This is a witch hazel based after shave balm that I've used, it is nice and soothing.

Sandalwood and Vetiver After Shave Balm:
==================================
1 tbsp high proof vodka
8 drops sandalwood
6 drops vetiver
3 drops bergamot
3 tbsp witch hazel
6 tbsp rose water
Non alcoholic, soothing and comfortable.
After mixing, shake till you get bored (I usually last a minute or two)
Shake before use.
Pretty darn cheap, you must buy the oils but they will only set you back a few $$, a 1/4oz/1dram/5ml bottle will last you a very very long time.
Makes around 4.5 oz of finished product.

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sorry, I don't mean to harp, but if vodka ain't alcoholic, than I don't know what is. is whisky an alcohol?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Elon9669

.. if vodka ain't alcoholic, than I don't know what is.

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Thank you for pointing that out. Recipe note changed.

Edit: Nope, can't do that. Edit button no longer available on the op.

Str8fencer,
I didn't mean to imply that your recipe was girly. I was just wondering if it is essence of rose or ROSE scented. I know it's pretty common, I'm just more of a spice guy than a flower guy. I'm sure there are many other scents that I have never tried as well.
Also, Bergamot= citrus. That helps me.
I'm new to making my own aftershaves and such, so I'm still trying to figure out all of these scents.

Scott,
I did not take it that way at all. Truth of the matter is, I usually don't think of scents in terms of masculine/feminine. Your question did spur something in me, since my wife replied she was not sure if she found the scent masculine - I am grateful for that. The recipe I posted is definitely dominated by the rose scent, and probably could benefit from an adjusting. I slapped it together, mainly because I wanted to test a witch hazel based AS. I usually prefer an alcohol based AS (for the antiseptic properties of alcohol), but I was pleasantly surprised with the witch hazel mix.

I've decided to try to make a few scents on this base, so many fun things to do. I'm thinking orange water with cardamom and coriander, and sandalwood for the base perhaps, or mint water with herbs.

Feel free to shoot me a PM if you want.

Have fun.

You mention the different "waters" (orange, rose, mint). Is that something you make or buy? If you make it, how is that done?
Did I mention I have no idea what I am doing in making AS?

Hi Scott,
those are what is known as hydrosols, they are a by-product of making essential oils. (Rose water on wikipedia). I buy mine from international food shops, the chinese, vietnamese and turkish shops around here all stock them. Apparently they are also used in cooking.
No worries about the knowledge, it has a tendency to find a way to dribble in :D

That's my problem. I have a dribbling problem.:p:rolleyes: