Lance Carson
Essential oils are a great way to create a personalised fragrance that is unique to you. With a few simple steps, you can make your own perfume using essential oils, a carrier oil, and some basic equipment. The process is fun and easy, allowing you to experiment with different scent combinations to create a signature scent. It is important to perform a patch test to ensure the essential oil is compatible with your skin and to dilute the essential oils before applying them. Once you've created your fragrance, you can apply it to pulse points such as behind your ears, wrists, and neck for a lasting aroma.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Skin type | Lighter oils like grapeseed are good for oily skin, while richer oils like jojoba are suitable for dry skin |
| Scent compatibility | Neutral-scented oils work best with strong fragrances |
| Absorption rate | Faster-absorbing oils are ideal for all-day wear |
| Skin irritation | Always complete a patch test to check for skin irritation or allergies |
| Dilution | Always dilute essential oils and do not apply them directly to the skin |
| Application | Spray, dab, roll, or massage onto pulse points like the wrists, neck, behind the ears, and the throat |
| Notes | Choose essential oils with top, middle, and base notes to create a well-rounded fragrance |
| Storage | Store in a cool, dark place |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing a carrier oil
When choosing a carrier oil, it is important to consider the aroma of the oil to ensure it does not overpower the essential oil or clash with its scent. Most carrier oils are unscented or lightly scented, but some have a distinct odour. For example, sweet almond oil has a strong, nutty aroma that may mask the scent of an essential oil.
The absorption rate of the carrier oil is another factor to consider. Faster-absorbing oils are better for perfumes that you want to wear throughout the day. Jojoba oil, for instance, is known to be the carrier oil that most closely mimics the natural oil secretions in human skin, making it an excellent moisturiser for the face and neck. It is also highly stable, which means that the fragrance it carries maintains its integrity over extended periods.
Skin type is another important consideration when choosing a carrier oil. For oily skin, lightweight oils like grapeseed or fractionated coconut oil are ideal. For dry skin, richer oils like argan oil are more suitable. For sensitive skin, choose hypoallergenic oils like sweet almond or jojoba oil.
Some other popular carrier oils include avocado oil, apricot oil, mango seed oil, rosehip oil, sunflower oil, and kumkumadi oil. When selecting a carrier oil, it is also important to consider the shelf life of the oil, as some carrier oils can be stored for longer periods than others without going bad.
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Blending essential oils
Firstly, it's important to understand the different categories of essential oils and how they complement each other. These include citrus, spicy, herbaceous, woodsy, floral, resinous, earthy, medicinal, and minty. Then, you can sort your selected oils into top, middle, and base notes. Top notes are strong and short-lived, quickly evaporating but having a significant impact on the overall aroma. Popular top notes include lemon, orange, bergamot, grapefruit, eucalyptus, and tea tree. Middle notes, or heart notes, provide underlying support and help the scent last longer. Common choices include lavender, rosemary, geranium, chamomile, ylang-ylang, and jasmine. Base notes are the heaviest and most enduring part of the perfume, lingering on the skin for hours. Examples include lavender, rose, sandalwood, and patchouli.
When blending, start with small amounts of each oil, adding gradually to avoid creating an overpowering scent. A good starting point is a total of 5 drops, which can be multiplied if you're happy with the scent. For a 10ml rollerball, 9-10 drops is a safe dilution for daily adult use. Combine the essential oils with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil, jojoba oil, or sweet almond oil, which help to dilute the essential oils and make the scent last longer. Once you've created your blend, let it sit for a day or two to allow the scents to blend and evolve. The smell will change when exposed to air and will also vary depending on the type of skin it is applied to.
- 6 drops orange and 4 drops vanilla absolute with carrier oil for a romantic, invigorating scent
- 7 drops patchouli and 3 drops ylang-ylang with carrier oil for an earthy citrus blend
- 5 drops tea tree oil and 5 drops lemongrass with 10ml jojoba oil for a simple perfume roll-on
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Applying to pulse points
Pulse points are crucial for maximising the effectiveness and longevity of fragrances and essential oils. These areas of the body emit warmth, intensifying scents and enhancing their duration. The human body has seven main pulse points, located all around the body, from the side of the neck to the inner wrist and even the ankles. These pulse points are found on your temples, neck, chest, inner elbow, wrists, back of the knees, and ankles.
The four pulse points that are particularly effective for applying essential oils are the temples, behind the ears, the side of the neck, and the inner wrists. Aromatherapy is most effective when focused on pulse points. This is because the blood is flowing close to the surface of the skin, allowing essential oils to filter into the bloodstream quickly.
When applying essential oil perfume to your pulse points, avoid rubbing it in, as this can break down the scent molecules and affect the way the scent develops on your skin. Instead, gently dab the oil onto your skin. It is also important to use the essential oils sparingly to avoid an overpowering scent.
To prepare your pulse points for essential oil perfume, it is recommended to apply an unscented moisturiser or petroleum jelly beforehand. This is because fragrance tends to last longer on well-hydrated skin. You can also use matching lotions or oils to enhance the longevity of the scent.
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Dilution ratios
When creating your own perfume, you can use a carrier oil to dilute your chosen essential oils. Common carrier oils include sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil, sunflower oil, and jojoba oil. The type of carrier oil you select will depend on your skin type and the scent compatibility with your chosen essential oils. For oily skin, lighter carrier oils such as grapeseed oil are recommended, while richer oils like jojoba oil are better suited for dry skin. If your chosen essential oils have a strong fragrance, consider using a neutral-scented carrier oil to avoid altering the scent.
The dilution ratio of essential oils to carrier oil can vary depending on your preferences and skin sensitivity. A common dilution ratio for essential oil perfumes is 20% essential oil and 80% carrier oil. This can be adjusted to your desired strength, but it is important not to exceed a concentration of 15% essential oil if you have sensitive skin to avoid potential irritation.
In addition to dilution ratios, it is important to consider the different categories of essential oils: top notes, middle notes, and base notes. Top notes are quick-evaporating and provide the first impression of the fragrance. Middle notes, also known as heart notes, soften the scent, while base notes provide longevity and depth to the perfume. When creating your blend, it is recommended to start with the base note, add the middle note, and finish with the top note. This ensures a well-rounded and balanced fragrance.
By understanding dilution ratios and essential oil categories, you can create personalised perfumes with your desired strength and scent profile. Remember to perform a patch test before using any new essential oil to ensure it is compatible with your skin.
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Patch testing
To perform a patch test, dilute a small amount of the essential oil and apply it to the inside of your elbow. Cover the area with a plaster or bandage and leave it for 24 to 48 hours. If you experience any irritation, redness, itchiness, or other reactions during this time, remove the bandage and carefully wash the area with mild soap and water. If no irritation occurs, the essential oil should be safe to use diluted on your skin.
It is important to note that even if you do not have a reaction during the patch test, there is still a risk of developing a sensitivity, irritation, or allergy to the oil over time. Additionally, if you are allergic to a particular plant, you may also be allergic to its essential oil.
Some essential oils that are commonly patch tested include Virginia cedarwood oil, citronellol, amyl salicylate, isononyl acetate, musk xylol, citral, and ionone beta. These oils are frequently used in perfumes and other cosmetic products, so patch testing can help identify potential allergens before using them on a larger area of skin.
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Frequently asked questions
First, choose your essential oils, bearing in mind that citrus scents make good head notes, light florals work as heart notes, and woodsy scents are good as base notes. You can also categorise essential oils as top, middle, and base notes. Add your essential oils to a glass bottle, using a dropper to add 10 drops of base notes, followed by 5 drops of head notes, and 5 drops of heart notes. Seal the bottle and shake well.
Lighter oils like grapeseed work well for oily skin, while richer oils like jojoba are better for dry skin. If you want a neutral scent, choose an oil without a strong fragrance. Faster-absorbing oils are ideal for all-day wear. Good options include sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil, sunflower oil, and safflower oil.
The best areas to focus on are pulse points, as they emanate more heat, increasing the scent throw of the fragrance. These include behind the ears, the back of the knees, the inside of the elbows, the wrists, the throat, the collarbone, the chest, and the top of the arms. You can also apply perfume to your hair, as hair is a natural scent carrier.
