Enhancing Your Shaving Cream With Perfume

how to add perfume to shaving cream

Shaving cream is an essential part of the grooming routine for many people. While store-bought shaving creams can be expensive and filled with chemicals, homemade shaving creams are a cost-effective, natural alternative. They are also highly customisable, allowing you to add your choice of essential oils to create a pleasant fragrance. This guide will explore how to add perfume to shaving cream, as well as the benefits of making your own shaving cream.

shunscent

Melt shea butter and coconut oil

To make shaving cream, you will need to melt shea butter and coconut oil. Both shea butter and coconut oil are solid at room temperature, so they need to be melted to blend them properly. Measure out 2 tablespoons (29.6 ml) of shea butter (or 1 tablespoon, according to another source) and 1/4 cup of coconut oil. Place the ingredients in a small saucepan. You can also use a pot instead of a saucepan.

Melt the shea butter and coconut oil over low heat, stirring occasionally until they liquify. You can also add cocoa butter for a similar effect. Remove the pan from the heat once the ingredients are fully melted and mixed. If you are worried about direct heat affecting the oils, you can melt them with a double boiler.

Next, transfer the mixture to a medium-sized bowl and place it in the fridge until it becomes solid. Take the bowl out of the refrigerator, remove the plastic wrap, and add in the remaining ingredients. These may include olive oil, grapeseed oil, aloe vera, baking soda, and liquid castile soap.

Finally, blend all the ingredients together in a blender or with a hand mixer or stand mixer. The resulting mixture should have the texture of thick liquid soap or a fluffy, creamy frosting. Transfer the shaving cream to a glass jar or container with a lid and store it in a cool, dry place or in the fridge.

shunscent

Add essential oils

Adding essential oils to shaving cream is a great way to customise your shaving cream and create the perfect scent for you. Essential oils can also have added skincare benefits.

First, melt your solid oil mixture. Coconut oil is a popular choice for shaving cream because it easily moisturises the skin and has a low melting point, so your razor can glide over your skin and get a closer shave. You can also use extra virgin coconut oil, which has a similar consistency and melting point to regular coconut oil, or babassu oil. Mango butter is another option, which has a lighter consistency than shea butter and a subtle scent.

Once your oil is melted, stir in the essential oil. You can add up to 60 drops of essential oil, but be cautious as adding too much can irritate your skin. For strongly scented essential oils, use up to 20 drops. Essential oils with skin benefits include:

  • Lavender: helps relieve stress and reduce dry and scaly skin.
  • Sweet orange: energising.
  • Bergamot: for oily skin.
  • Clary sage: for oily skin.
  • Geranium: for oily skin.
  • Lemon: for oily skin.
  • Peppermint: for oily skin.
  • Roman chamomile: for oily skin.
  • Rosemary: for oily skin.
  • Tea tree: for oily skin.

You can also combine essential oils to create a unique scent. For example, eucalyptus and spearmint for a relaxing scent, or lime, grapefruit, tangerine, and spearmint for an uplifting scent.

Once you've added your essential oils, refrigerate the mixture until the oil has turned back into a solid.

shunscent

Refrigerate the mixture

Once you've blended your shaving cream mixture, it's time to refrigerate it. Place the mixture in a mixing bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. This step is important because it helps the mixture solidify slightly, giving it the ideal consistency for shaving cream. Aim to chill the mixture for around one to two hours, or until it reaches a pale yellow, waxy texture. During this time, the oils will begin to solidify, creating a smooth and nourishing shaving cream that will allow your razor to glide easily over your skin.

The refrigeration process is a key step in making your own shaving cream, as it ensures the final product has the right texture and consistency. Without proper refrigeration, your shaving cream may be too runny or oily, impacting its effectiveness and potentially making it messy to use. Therefore, it's worth being patient and allowing sufficient time for the mixture to chill thoroughly.

While an hour or two in the refrigerator should be enough, you can also opt for a quicker method by placing the mixture in the freezer if you're in a hurry. This accelerated method will help solidify the oils faster, allowing you to use your homemade shaving cream sooner. However, be cautious not to leave it in the freezer for too long, as you don't want it to freeze solid.

After refrigeration, your shaving cream mixture should have a pale yellow, waxy appearance. At this stage, it's ready to be removed from the refrigerator and mixed with additional ingredients, such as baking soda or essential oils, if you choose to include them. These ingredients can be added directly to the chilled mixture, creating a customised shaving cream that suits your preferences.

Remember, the refrigeration process is an essential step in making your own shaving cream, ensuring the final product is effective, easy to use, and provides a smooth shaving experience. By taking the time to properly chill your mixture, you'll end up with a high-quality shaving cream that rivals store-bought options.

shunscent

Add aloe vera gel

Adding aloe vera gel to your shaving cream is a great way to make use of its medicinal properties, providing hydration and a gentle cooling effect to your skin. It is also known to help alleviate dry, itchy skin, and its anti-inflammatory properties make it ideal for sensitive skin.

Ingredients:

  • Aloe vera gel
  • Sweet almond oil
  • Lavender oil (optional)

Method:

  • Mix equal parts aloe vera gel and sweet almond oil.
  • Add a few drops of lavender oil if you'd like a scent.
  • Store your shaving gel in a pump bottle to keep it from becoming contaminated.
  • Apply the gel to wet skin and shave as normal.

You can also add aloe vera gel to your shaving cream by following a basic shaving cream recipe and adding aloe vera gel to the mixture. Here is a recipe for a simple, natural shaving cream:

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil
  • 1 tablespoon shea butter
  • 2 tablespoons baking soda
  • 1/4 cup liquid castile soap
  • 10 drops essential oil (optional)
  • Aloe vera gel

Method:

  • Melt the coconut oil and shea butter in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally until liquified.
  • Remove from heat and pour the mixture into a blender.
  • Add the baking soda, liquid castile soap, and aloe vera gel to the blender.
  • Blend on high for several minutes until all the ingredients are fully mixed.
  • Add 10 drops of essential oil for fragrance if desired.
  • Store your shaving cream in a cool, dark place and dispense as needed.

Note: Always test new ingredients on a small patch of skin before applying them to the area you wish to shave to avoid any reactions.

shunscent

Store in an airtight container

Once you have made your shaving cream, it is important to store it in an airtight container. This will help to prevent moisture from getting into the shaving cream, which can cause it to spoil. An airtight container will also help to keep the fragrance of the essential oils intact.

It is best to use a container with a tight-fitting lid, such as a mason jar. This will ensure that the shaving cream does not dry out or become contaminated. A jar with a wide mouth will make it easy to scoop out the shaving cream. You can find mason jars and other suitable containers at most home goods stores or online.

When storing your shaving cream, it is important to keep it in a cool, dark place. This will help to prolong the life of the cream and prevent the oil from spoiling. A pantry or cabinet is a good option, as long as it is not too warm. You can also store your shaving cream in the refrigerator, which will help to keep it fresh for longer.

If you are using a jar with a metal lid, it is a good idea to place a piece of plastic wrap or wax paper between the lid and the jar. This will help to prevent any rust or corrosion from occurring, which could contaminate your shaving cream.

It is also important to keep your shaving cream away from direct sunlight, as this can break down the essential oils and cause the fragrance to fade. Sunlight can also cause the cream to spoil, as it can heat up the oils and cause them to go rancid.

Frequently asked questions

You can make your own shaving cream by melting shea butter and coconut oil in a saucepan over low heat. Once melted, remove from the heat and stir in essential oils. Refrigerate until the oil has turned back into a solid. Then, add in aloe vera gel and beat with an electric mixer until the mixture is smooth and creamy.

You can add up to 60 drops of essential oil to your shaving cream. However, if you are sensitive to strong smells, you may want to add just 5 drops or leave it out altogether.

There are many essential oils that can be added to shaving cream to create a perfect scent. Some popular options include lavender, rose, grapefruit, ginger, and peppermint.

Yes, you can add perfume to your shaving cream to create a signature scent. However, it is important to be cautious as adding too much can irritate your skin.

It is best to store your shaving cream in an airtight container in a cool, dark place to prevent the oil from spoiling.

Written by
Reviewed by

Explore related products

Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment