Anisha Riggs
Creating your own perfume without essential oils is a fun and experimental process. There are many ways to make a scent that is unique to you, such as using fragrance oils, carrier oils, vegetable oils, or even no oil at all. You can also use natural ingredients like flowers, herbs, spices, and fruits, or opt for synthetic ingredients. The key is to find a fragrance that suits your body chemistry and that you enjoy. You can also use ethyl-vanilin, which is water-soluble and has a strong vanilla scent.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Fragrance oils, carrier oils, vegetable oils, alcohol, flower petals, spices, fruits, herbs, synthetic ingredients, flower waters, hydrosols, flower, beeswax |
| Equipment | Dark glass bottle, bowl, funnel, measuring cup, atomizer bottle |
| Process | Mix ingredients in a bowl, dilute with a carrier oil, transfer to a glass bottle, fill with alcohol, seal and store in a cool, dark place |
| Tips | Start with a base note (e.g. musk, amber, sandalwood), add a middle note (e.g. rose, jasmine, ylang-ylang), experiment with different combinations, store in a cool, dark place to prolong life |
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What You'll Learn
Using fragrance oils
If you want to make perfume without essential oils, you can use fragrance oils. These can contain synthetic ingredients, but they are usually diluted with a carrier oil, so they are less likely to irritate the skin.
To make a 5ml bottle of perfume, you will need 100 drops of liquid in total. The ratios of the notes are as follows: 2 parts base, 1 part heart, 1 part head, and the rest is carrier oil. This means that your fragrance oils will make up 40 drops, and your carrier oil will make up 60 drops.
When choosing your fragrance oils, think about the scents you like. Top notes are the first impression and tend to consist of citrus and herb-y oils. Middle notes are the heart of the perfume and are often floral and spice oils. Base notes are the depth of the perfume and tend to be earthy and woody.
Once you have chosen your fragrance oils, you can add them to a glass bottle. Then, fill up the bottle with your chosen carrier oil. Some good carrier oils to use are jojoba oil, fractionated coconut oil, sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil, sunflower oil, tomato seed oil, or safflower oil. Shake the bottle a little and apply to your pulse points, such as behind your ears, on your wrists, or on your neck.
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Using alcohol
Alcohol is commonly used in perfumes to dilute the ingredients so that they are suitable for use on the skin. It also helps to disperse the perfume molecules, allowing the scent to be noticed by others more effectively.
To make perfume using alcohol, you will need:
- An atomizer bottle (you can reuse an old perfume bottle, but make sure to wash it with rubbing alcohol and run it through the dishwasher first)
- Essential oils or fragrance oils (if you want a natural perfume, only use essential oils; fragrance oils may contain synthetics but are less irritating to the skin)
- High-proof grain alcohol, such as Everclear or grape alcohol (vodka can also be used)
- Distilled water
- A funnel
- A measuring cup
Firstly, choose your essential or fragrance oils. If using essential oils, be sure to research any health advisories, as not all are safe for the skin. You can use a single scent or a combination of different oils to create your desired fragrance.
Next, divide your alcohol into smaller volumes and experiment with different combinations of oils. This is a creative process, so have fun with it! Once you are happy with your fragrance, it is time to let it age. Place your bottle in a cool, dark location for a minimum of 48 hours up to a month. This aging process allows the scents to mingle and become stronger.
After the aging period, smell your perfume. If it has a strong odour of alcohol, that is generally okay. Test it out by spritzing a little on your pressure points. The alcohol smell should dissipate after a few seconds, leaving only your chosen fragrance behind. If you still smell mostly alcohol, you may have used too much, or your blend of oils may need adjusting. In this case, you can let the perfume sit for longer.
For a longer-lasting fragrance, it is recommended to let the perfume age for three months. After this time, your homemade perfume will be at its best.
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Using natural ingredients
Making perfume without essential oils allows you to create a scent that is unique to you. You can use fragrance oils, which are specifically designed for fragrance purposes, or other oils such as carrier oils or vegetable oils. If you want to avoid using any oil, you can use alcohol as your base.
To make a natural perfume, you can use ingredients such as flower petals, spices, and other fragrant plant materials. You can also use fruits, herbs, and flowers from your garden. For example, you can use dried clary sage and lavender, or rose petals.
- In a bowl, mix together your desired proportions of flower petals, spices, and other fragrance ingredients.
- Place the mixture in a dark glass bottle and fill the rest of the way with strong alcohol, such as vodka.
- Seal the bottle tightly and store it in a cool, dark place for at least two weeks.
Alternatively, you can make a natural perfume using oils:
- In a bowl, mix together your desired proportions of flower petals, spices, and other fragrance ingredients.
- Place the mixture in a glass jar and cover with a carrier oil such as jojoba or grapeseed oil. You can also use vegetable oil.
- Let the oil infuse for several weeks, shaking the jar occasionally.
- After infusing, strain the oil to remove the plant material and add grated beeswax. Stir until the wax is melted.
- Transfer the perfume into small containers such as mini mint tins or baby food jars.
It is important to note that creating a perfume without essential oils may require some experimentation to find a fragrance that you like and that works well with your body chemistry. You can also try using flower waters or hydrosols, which are created by distilling plant material and can be potent and fragrant.
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Using synthetic ingredients
One popular synthetic aroma compound is ambroxan, which is widely used in modern perfumery for its ambergris-like scent, adding a musky and radiant touch to fragrances. Dihydro myrcenol is another commonly used compound, offering a fresh and green aroma that provides a crisp, clean top note in perfumes. These compounds are versatile and can be blended with other synthetic fragrances or natural essential oils, allowing perfumers to create unique signature scents.
To make perfume using synthetic ingredients, you can follow a similar process as when using essential oils. First, prepare your workspace by clearing and cleaning the surface. Gather your materials, including a clean 10ml atomizer or rollerball bottle, droppers or pipettes, a funnel, a measuring cup, and alcohol (such as Everclear or grape alcohol). If you are using fragrance oils, ensure they are already diluted in a carrier oil to reduce the risk of irritation.
Next, select your desired synthetic fragrances or aroma compounds. Using a pipette, carefully add the desired number of drops of each fragrance or compound into the bottle. The number of drops will depend on the strength and combination of scents you want to achieve. Close the lid and gently shake the bottle to mix the ingredients.
Finally, allow the perfume to sit in a dark place for about a week before testing the scent. If you are satisfied with the fragrance, you can proceed to use or gift it. However, if you are not happy with the scent, you may need to experiment with different combinations and ratios of synthetic ingredients until you find your perfect blend.
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Using flower waters or hydrosols
Flower waters and hydrosols are great alternatives to essential oils for making perfumes. They are made by distilling plant material and can be just as potent and fragrant as essential oils.
To make your own hydrosol, you will need a semi-deep pot that fits a collection vessel, aromatics of your choice, and a stove. First, line a bowl with cheesecloth, allowing the edges to hang over a bit. Then, place your chosen flower blossoms on the cloth and submerge them in water. It is recommended to use fresh blossoms for the strongest fragrance. You can mix a couple of different flowers, but avoid using more than two, as this can be overpowering. Leave the flowers to soak for 24 hours. Then, remove the cheesecloth from the water and squeeze out any remaining water from the flowers.
Next, pour the water into a pot and simmer it on the stove until only about a teaspoon of liquid remains. It is important not to let the water reach a rolling boil, as this can result in an under-extracted and oddly acidic hydrosol. Once the hydrosol is ready, allow it to cool before bottling it. You can use a rollerball container or a miniature spray bottle for your perfume.
Keep in mind that homemade water-based perfumes have a shorter shelf life than commercially manufactured perfumes due to the lack of preservatives. Store your perfume in a cool, dark place, and use it within a month.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use fragrance oils, carrier oils, vegetable oils, or alcohol. You can also use natural ingredients such as flower petals, fruits, herbs, and spices.
If you're using fragrance oils, start by choosing a base note (e.g. musk, amber, or sandalwood) and a middle note (e.g. rose, jasmine, or ylang-ylang). Dilute the fragrance oils with a carrier oil like jojoba or grapeseed oil. If you're using natural ingredients, mix them with strong alcohol like vodka in a dark glass bottle.
Store your perfume in a cool, dark place to help preserve the fragrance.
When using essential oils, it's important to look up any health advisories as not all of them are safe for the skin. However, fragrance oils may be a better option for those with sensitive skin as they have already been diluted.
