Creating Lemon Cologne: A Step-By-Step Guide

Lemon is a common ingredient in eau de cologne, thanks to its refreshing and pleasant aroma. If you're tired of searching for the perfect cologne and want to try something new, you can make your own lemon cologne at home. It's simple, affordable, and you can customise it to your liking. All you need are a few basic ingredients, such as distilled water, vodka or alcohol, essential oils like lemongrass, lavender, and lime, and perhaps some glycerin or castor oil. You'll also need a dark glass bottle with a tight-fitting lid to store your creation. The process is straightforward: combine your chosen ingredients, allow the mixture to settle for a week or more, and then it's ready to use!

Lemon cologne ingredients

Lemon cologne is a light and refreshing fragrance that can be easily made at home. The ingredients required are simple and affordable, and the recipe can be customised to create your own unique scent.

The key ingredient, of course, is lemon. Lemon essential oil, derived from the lemon peel, has a clean, fresh and zesty scent. It blends well with floral notes such as geranium, lavender, rose and ylang-ylang, as well as other citrus oils like citronella, lime, neroli, orange and sage.

To make your own lemon cologne, you will need:

• A small lemon peel
• Vodka or alcohol (such as grain alcohol, vodka or perfumer's alcohol)
• Distilled water
• Castor oil or another carrier oil (such as jojoba oil or grapeseed oil)
• Glycerin essential oil (optional)
• Essential oils of your choice to blend with the lemon (optional)

The lemon peel and vodka/alcohol should be combined in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid and left to marinate for at least one week in a cool, dry and dark place. You can then add the distilled water and other oils, and leave the mixture to settle for another week, shaking once a day. Finally, carefully pour the cologne into a dark glass bottle and store it in a cool, dry location.

Mixing the ingredients

To make your own lemon cologne, you will need a few key ingredients and some patience. The process is simple and affordable, and you can customise the scent to your liking.

Firstly, gather your ingredients. For a basic lemon cologne, you will need:

• Distilled water
• Vodka or alcohol
• Lemon essential oil or lemon peel
• Other essential oils of your choice (such as lavender, lime, or lemongrass)
• Castor oil or glycerin (optional)

Once you have your ingredients, it's time to start mixing. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Combine the vodka or alcohol with your chosen essential oils in a measuring cup or bottle. The basic recipe calls for three tablespoons of vodka, three drops of lemongrass essential oil, ten drops each of lavender and lime essential oils, and four drops of glycerin. However, feel free to adjust the quantities to suit your taste.
• Shake the mixture well to ensure all the ingredients are combined.
• Set the mixture aside in a cool, dark place for several weeks. The longer you can leave it, the better—aim for at least one week, but preferably three to six weeks. This ageing process allows the scents to meld and deepen, creating a more harmonious and longer-lasting fragrance.
• After the ageing period, add the distilled water to your mixture. The standard recipe calls for one cup of distilled water, but you can adjust the amount based on your preferred scent strength.
• Shake the mixture again and return it to its storage place for another week, shaking it once a day.
• Your cologne is now ready to use! Store it in a dark-coloured glass bottle with a tight-fitting lid, and keep it in a cool, dry location.

Feel free to experiment with different essential oils and adjust the quantities to create a unique scent that suits your taste. You can also add flower petals or other botanicals during the ageing process to infuse your cologne with additional aromas.

Remember to always use glass containers when mixing and storing your cologne, as essential oils can react with plastic.

Storing the cologne

Storing your lemon cologne correctly is essential to ensure it lasts and maintains its scent.

Firstly, you should always store your cologne in a dark-coloured glass bottle with a tight-fitting lid. This will prevent sunlight from damaging the scent and ensure no spills occur. It is also important to store your cologne in a cool, dry location, away from any heat sources or direct sunlight. A cupboard or drawer is ideal.

Before using your cologne for the first time, it is recommended to leave it to settle for at least one week, and up to six weeks. During this time, you should shake the bottle once a day. This allows the scents to meld and deepen, creating a more harmonious fragrance. The longer it sits, the stronger the scent will be.

Your homemade lemon cologne can last up to six months if stored correctly. Remember to always shake the bottle before use, as the oils and water may separate over time.

Apply your cologne to your pulse points to help the scent last longer. These include behind the ears, on the inside of the wrists or elbows, and on the neck.

How to apply the cologne

Now that you've made your lemon cologne, it's time to apply it! Here is a comprehensive guide on how to apply cologne:

Timing

Apply cologne immediately after showering, directly onto dry skin. The shower will cleanse your body of any other scents and open your pores, helping the scent absorb.

Distance

Hold the spray bottle 3-6 inches from your body. Holding the bottle any closer than 3 inches risks over-applying, while spraying from further than 6 inches away will likely result in under-application.

Amount

Apply sparingly and strategically so that the cologne lasts all day. Choose one area, such as the neck or forearms, and start with one spray. If you notice that the scent fades quickly, choose another area and spray there the next time you apply.

Body Placement

Apply cologne to heated areas of your body, such as the neck, chest, pulse points, forearms, inner elbows, and wrists. The heat helps diffuse the scent throughout the day and allows it to meld with your body chemistry to develop your signature scent.

Re-application

Depending on the type of cologne, you may need to re-apply, especially if you are going out in the evening. When doing so, simply dab a little onto your pulse points.

Common Mistakes

• Avoid spraying the fragrance on your clothing, as this prevents it from mixing with your natural oils, which gives the cologne its unique quality.
• Don't splash the cologne on your skin, as this is an easy way to over-apply.
• Spraying a mist cloud and walking through it may seem like a good idea, but it renders the cologne almost useless, as most of it ends up on the floor.
• Rubbing the cologne into your skin makes the scent fade faster, as it breaks the molecular bond in the fragrance.
• Applying too much cologne is a common mistake. A subtle enhancement to your image is best; less is more.

Remember, your cologne should be discovered, not announced!

How long the cologne lasts

The duration of a cologne depends on several factors, including ingredients, time since opening, and storage conditions.

Lemon cologne is a light and refreshing fragrance. However, it is important to note that citrus notes are prone to faster rates of oxidation, which can alter the scent over time. To ensure the longevity of your lemon cologne, there are several steps you can take:

First, allow the cologne to settle. After combining the ingredients, it is best to let the cologne rest in a cool, dry, and dark location for at least one week before using it. This allows the scent to mature and develop.

Second, store the cologne in a dark glass bottle with a tight-fitting lid. Light can break down the molecules of the fragrance, making it unstable and prone to oxidation. Therefore, a dark bottle will help protect the cologne from light exposure.

Third, store the cologne in a cool, dry, and dark place. Heat and humidity can also break down fragrance molecules, so it is best to keep the cologne below 15 degrees Celsius or 59 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid storing it in the bathroom, as the temperature and humidity levels can fluctuate.

Fourth, use the cologne regularly. The more oxygen in the bottle, the faster the fragrance will oxidize. Therefore, it is recommended to use the cologne regularly and keep it away from direct heat or sunlight.

Fifth, consider storing the cologne in the refrigerator. This can help slow down the oxidation process, especially for citrus-based scents. However, if the refrigerator is frequently opened, the constant lighting may not be ideal.

Lastly, pay attention to the ingredients. Alcohol-based perfumes tend to last longer as the alcohol prevents the aromatic molecules from oxidizing. The higher the alcohol content, the better the preservative effect.

By following these steps, you can maximize the longevity of your lemon cologne. However, it is important to note that even with proper storage, the scent may eventually change or fade over time. The duration of your lemon cologne can range from a few months to a few years, depending on the specific ingredients, storage conditions, and usage frequency.

Frequently asked questions