Creating Your Own Essential Oil Cologne: A Simple Guide

Making your own cologne with essential oils is a fun way to create a custom scent that's free of nasty chemicals and synthetic fragrances. It's easy to do, and you can experiment with different blends to find your favourite. The key to a good cologne is understanding perfume notes. Top notes are the first thing you smell, middle notes blend the scents together, and base notes are the longest-lasting. You can use essential oils from different aroma categories, such as citrus, herbal, resin, spice, woodland, floral and exotic, to create a unique fragrance. Once you've chosen your blend, simply mix the essential oils with a carrier, such as alcohol, witch hazel or a lightweight oil, and you're ready to spritz!

Choosing the right essential oils

There are three types of notes in a fragrance: top, middle, and base. Top notes are the first thing you smell, but they also fade the quickest. Middle notes blend the scents together and form the body of the cologne's scent. Base notes are the longest-lasting and act as the fragrance's foundation.

When creating a cologne, it's recommended that you use a blend of top, middle, and base notes. The ratio of these notes is up to you, but a common suggestion is 10% top notes, 25-30% middle notes, and 55-65% base notes. Another suggested ratio is 30% top notes, 50% middle notes, and 20% base notes.

Top Notes

• Wild orange
• Bergamot
• Lemon
• Sweet orange
• Eucalyptus
• Lavender
• Bergamot
• Juniper berry
• Sweet orange

Middle Notes

• Sandalwood
• Cardamom
• Ylang-ylang
• Vetiver
• Geranium
• Rosemary
• Cedarwood
• Juniper
• Cypress
• Fennel
• Bergamot
• Petitgrain
• Clove
• Sweet orange
• Geranium
• Rosemary
• Frankincense
• Lavender
• Fir

Base Notes

• Frankincense
• Sandalwood
• Douglas fir
• White fir
• Siberian fir
• Clove
• Cedarwood
• Vetiver
• Patchouli
• Sandalwood
• Black pepper
• Myrrh
• Vanilla
• Violet leaf
• Tonka bean

Blending the oils

Blending essential oils is a fun way to make your own customised colognes or perfumes. The first step is to familiarise yourself with the fragrance scale. The three types of notes in a fragrance are top, middle, and base. Top notes are the first thing you'll smell, followed by middle notes, and then base notes, which last the longest. The ratio of these notes is important when blending your formula. A good starting point for beginners is the basic pyramid accord, which consists of 60% base notes, 30% middle notes, and 10% top notes. However, you can experiment and adjust the ratios to create a recipe you love.

When choosing your essential oils, consider the type of scent you want to create. For woody, slightly sweet scents, cedarwood is a good option. If you prefer romantic florals, try jasmine, rose, or ylang-ylang. Remember that the final result will likely be more muted than the initial scent of the essential oil.

Once you've chosen your essential oils, it's time to start blending. Add a few oils one by one and start mixing. It's recommended to use no more than 30 drops total, and if one scent is much stronger than the rest, use less. You can also refer to a blending wheel of aroma categories to help you choose essential oils that will complement each other. Examples of aroma categories include citrus, herbal, resin, spice, woodland, floral, and exotic.

After you've created your desired formula, add two ounces of alcohol. You can then let the fragrance sit for 48 hours or refrigerate it for two weeks to allow the molecules to mix. Finally, dilute the fragrance by adding two tablespoons of distilled water and five drops of glycerin to a spray bottle and slowly swirling in your fragrance mixture.

Adding alcohol

Alcohol is a key ingredient in cologne-making. It helps to dilute the essential oils, making the cologne suitable for use on the skin. It also helps to disperse the oils, creating a longer-lasting and more intense fragrance.

When making cologne, it is best to use perfumers' alcohol, or pure grain alcohol, such as Everclear. You can also use vodka, which acts as a preservative and quickly evaporates, leaving only the scent of the essential oils. If you don't want to use alcohol, you can substitute it with witch hazel, which will also mix the essential oils but will result in a longer-lasting wet feeling on the skin.

When using alcohol, it is important to use a high-proof variety, as this contains less water. A higher percentage of alcohol will evaporate faster, leaving a stronger scent. For this reason, it is recommended to use 100-proof alcohol if possible.

To make cologne, pour the perfumers' alcohol into a container, add the essential oils, and stir slowly to ensure the oils are thoroughly dispersed. Leave the mixture to mature for around three weeks, then filter it through a coffee filter to remove any sediment. Finally, pour the cologne into a glass bottle, and it's ready to use!

Diluting the mixture

To dilute the mixture, you will need to add a carrier oil. Carrier oils are unscented or lightly scented oils that are usually derived from the fatty portion of a plant, such as nuts, seeds, kernels, or fruits. They can also be vegetable-based. Carrier oils help to "carry" the essential oil into the skin safely and can provide additional benefits such as moisturising the body.

Popular carrier oils include sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, Moroccan argan oil, grapeseed oil, and fractionated coconut oil. When choosing a carrier oil, consider factors such as thickness, scent, and individual nutrients.

The general rule for diluting essential oils is to use a 2% dilution for topical application. This means using two drops of essential oil for every teaspoon of carrier oil, or five drops for every 10ml of carrier oil. For children or the elderly, it is recommended to use a 1% dilution.

When creating your cologne, add your chosen essential oils to a glass bottle or container, then slowly add your carrier oil, stirring or shaking gently to combine. You can also add other ingredients such as alcohol or glycerin to enhance the longevity and intensity of the scent.

Once your cologne is mixed, it will need to sit for several weeks to mature and allow the fragrance to develop fully. After this maturation period, you can filter the cologne through a coffee filter to remove any sediment and then pour it into your desired bottle.

Storing the cologne

Storing your cologne correctly is essential to ensure that it lasts for as long as possible.

Firstly, it's important to use glass when making and storing your cologne. Essential oils are incredibly powerful and can dissolve plastic. Therefore, glass bottles or stainless-steel containers are recommended.

Secondly, store your cologne in a cool, dark place, such as a drawer, cupboard, or closet. Avoid heat and direct sunlight as these can alter the chemical composition of the oil and cause it to evaporate more quickly. Keep it away from heaters, ovens, windows, and hot water pipes.

Thirdly, minimise exposure to oxygen by using a tight-fitting lid on your bottle. This will help to prevent oxidation and evaporation.

Finally, monitor your cologne for any signs of deterioration over time. Essential oils can last for many years when stored properly, but it's always good to check before each use. Some signs that your cologne may have degraded include a change in colour, consistency, or smell. If you notice any of these signs, it's best to discard the cologne and make a new batch.

Frequently asked questions