Lance Carson
There are several methods to dilute perfume, depending on the desired outcome. If you want to dilute a perfume that is too strong, you can mix it with perfumer's alcohol or distilled water. You can also spray it onto a cotton pad and use that to dab it on your skin or clothing, or spray it into the air and walk through the mist. If you want to dilute a perfume to add to a base such as a candle, cream, detergent, or oil, you can use Di Propylene Glycol (DPG) as a solvent. Alternatively, you can mix a few drops of perfume with an unscented lotion to create a scented lotion or body splash.
How to dilute perfume
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dilution substance | Perfumer's alcohol, distilled water, unscented lotion, floral water/hydrolate |
| Dilution ratio | 50-50 with fragrance |
| Application method | Spray, rollerball, cotton pad, tissue paper, atomizer |
| Skin application | Collarbone, neck, wrists, pulse points |
| Clothing application | Spray directly, spray into air and walk through |
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What You'll Learn
Using perfumer's alcohol
Perfumer's alcohol is a popular choice for diluting perfumes. It is essentially ethyl alcohol that has been denatured, meaning something has been added to make it unfit for human consumption. This is done for safety reasons, as undrinkable alcohol is less dangerous. Alcohol is a good carrier for perfumes as it helps the scent to radiate outward and envelop the wearer in a cloud of fragrance. It also functions as a preservative and provides a sprayable consistency.
When choosing which alcohol to use, it is important to note that not all alcohols are suitable for perfumery. Avoid using anything labelled solely as 'denatured alcohol', as it may contain harmful denaturants such as poison. Instead, look for cosmetic-grade Trade-Specific Denatured Alcohol (TSDA), specifically SD-40b, which is widely used and recommended. If obtaining alcohol specifically made for perfumery is too difficult, you can use 190-proof Everclear or perfumer's alcohol from a trusted manufacturer.
When diluting your perfume with perfumer's alcohol, follow these steps:
- Choose a variety of essential oils based on the notes you are drawn to. Top notes, such as citrus and herbs, provide the first impression; middle or heart notes, such as floral or fruity scents, form the core of the perfume; while base notes, like woody or resinous scents, last the longest and give depth. A good rule of thumb is to follow the "30-50-20 rule": 30% top notes, 50% middle notes, and 20% base notes.
- Combine your chosen essential oils with the perfumer's alcohol, being careful not to exceed the maximum percentage of oil to alcohol ratio.
- Let the mixture sit in a cool, dark place for at least 48 hours or up to a month for perfumes made with essential oils. This aging process allows the oils to meld with the alcohol, enhancing the depth and longevity of the fragrance.
- After the aging process, filter out any sediment using a coffee filter or a fine mesh strainer. Funnel the liquid into your final storage bottle, preferably made of dark glass to protect the oils from light.
- Your custom perfume is now ready to wear! However, perfumes can evolve with time, so feel free to revisit and tweak the blend as needed. Always label your experiments with the date and ingredients for future reference.
It is important to note that if you are diluting your perfume with perfumer's alcohol, you will not be able to add these dilutions to bases such as candles, creams, detergents, or oils. Perfumer's alcohol is best suited for creating alcohol-based fragrances.
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Diluting with distilled water
Diluting perfume with distilled water is a great way to reduce its concentration if you find the scent too strong. However, it is important to note that water and oil do not mix, so you will need to add a bit of alcohol to your mixture to bind the water and perfume oil together.
Firstly, you will need to get your hands on some distilled water. Tap water is not suitable as it can contain foreign substances or impurities that could be inadvertently added to the perfume and affect its quality.
Next, you will need to add some alcohol. You can use perfumer's alcohol, or, if you are in the USA, Everclear. If you are unable to get your hands on either of these, some sources suggest using a high-proof alcohol such as vodka.
Now you are ready to start mixing. One source suggests using 7ml of alcohol for every 200 drops of essential oil, and then adding 20 drops of distilled water. However, be aware that adding distilled water can make your perfume cloudy, so you may wish to omit this step if you do not want to affect the appearance of your perfume.
Finally, give your mixture a good shake to combine all the elements, and your diluted perfume is ready to use!
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Mixing with unscented lotion
Diluting perfume by mixing it with unscented lotion is a common practice. However, it is important to note that mixing products may lead to spoilage or an unpleasant smell. Therefore, it is recommended to mix small batches of perfume and lotion at a time, ensuring that the mixture is stable and has a pleasant scent.
One popular method of mixing perfume with unscented lotion is to squirt a small amount of lotion into the palm of your hand and then spritz a few sprays of perfume into the lotion. The two can then be mixed together with the fingers and applied to the body. This method allows for customisation of the scent strength by adjusting the number of spritzes of perfume.
Another approach is to mix the perfume and lotion directly in the bottle. This method may be more suitable for those who wish to create a larger batch of scented lotion. However, it is important to use a transfer pipette or a small funnel to avoid spilling. It is also crucial to start with a small amount of perfume and gradually increase it until the desired scent strength is achieved.
Some people also choose to dilute their perfume with perfumer's alcohol before mixing it with the unscented lotion. This can help to enhance the scent and make it last longer. However, it is important to be cautious when handling alcohol and to create small batches to avoid waste.
Overall, mixing perfume with unscented lotion can be a great way to customise your scent and control its strength. It is a cost-effective method to create scented body lotion, but it requires some experimentation to find the perfect ratio of perfume to lotion.
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Using a cotton pad
Diluting perfume can be done in several ways, one of which is by using a cotton pad. Cotton pads are versatile tools that can be used to apply, dilute, or remove perfume.
To dilute perfume using a cotton pad, you can start by spraying the perfume directly onto the pad. Fold the pad in half if you want to use less perfume. Gently dab the cotton pad on your skin or clothing to apply the fragrance. This method allows you to control the amount of perfume you use and prevents over-application.
Additionally, cotton pads can be used to dilute strong perfumes by applying a neutralizing agent. For example, you can use a cotton pad soaked in vinegar or lemon juice to gently rub and neutralize the scent of perfume on your skin. Another option is to use a cotton ball or Q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol to wipe away the perfume from the area of application.
Cotton pads can also be used to apply diluted perfumes. If you have created a diluted perfume by mixing it with a carrier oil, unscented lotion, or perfumer's alcohol, you can use a cotton pad to apply the mixture to your skin. This allows you to control the amount of diluted perfume you use and prevents waste.
Overall, cotton pads offer a simple and effective way to dilute, apply, or remove perfume, making them a useful tool for managing your fragrance experience.
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Applying to the collarbone
Applying perfume to the collarbone is a great way to make your fragrance last longer. The collarbone is a pulse point, which means it emits heat, helping your fragrance to develop and diffuse throughout the day.
When applying perfume to your collarbone, it's best to spray from about five inches away from the skin. This will prevent an unpleasant flow of liquid. You can also dab the perfume on with your wrists, but be sure not to rub your wrists together, as this can rupture the scent beads, causing the fragrance to project more but not last as long.
If you want to dilute your perfume before applying it to your collarbone, you can try mixing it with perfumer's alcohol in a small decanter. You can also try spraying some into a travel atomizer and adding distilled water or alcohol, but you'll need to shake it before each use.
Remember, it's important to complete a patch test before using a new perfume to ensure it doesn't irritate your skin. Apply a small amount of diluted perfume to the inside of your elbow, cover it with a plaster, and wait 24 hours. If there are no signs of irritation, the perfume should be safe to use.
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