Creating Your Own Eau De Parfum: Diluting Fragrance Oils

Creating an Eau de Parfum (EDP) from perfume oils is possible, but it requires careful blending and the right ingredients. The most common method is to dilute the perfume oil with perfumer's alcohol, which can be purchased online. However, some people also suggest adding glycerin and other ingredients to the mix. It's important to get the ratio right and allow the mixture to sit for a while so that the alcohol can dissolve the fragrance and essential oils.

Using perfumer's alcohol

To cut fragrance oil into EDP, perfumers alcohol is required. The longevity of fragrance oils is fantastic, but the projection leaves much to be desired. Diluting fragrance oils with perfumers alcohol is a viable option to increase projection without ruining the oils.

Perfumers alcohol is a special formulation that can be used by professionals and amateurs to make perfumed sprays and products. It allows the simple addition and blending of essential oils and fragrances into a solution with or without water.

To convert fragrance oils into EDP, you can mix the fragrance oil with perfumers alcohol. The perfumers alcohol will dissolve the fragrance oil, and you will be left with alcohol and fragrance. The carrier oil will not be completely emptied, but it can be drained off.

The ratio of perfumers alcohol to fragrance oil is important for a successful conversion. It is recommended to shake the mixture frequently and let it sit for a long time to allow the perfumers alcohol to dissolve the fragrance oil completely.

Using glycerin

To cut fragrance oil into EDP, you can use perfumer's alcohol. This will allow you to convert your oils into a spray. You can also use glycerin, although it is unclear whether glycerin is necessary or if alcohol is enough. One user suggests that you can shake the perfume oil and perfumer's alcohol together and let them sit together for a long time, until you have alcohol and fragrance, and an "empty" layer of carrier oil that can be drained off.

Glycerin is a natural byproduct of the soap-making process and is a common ingredient in many cosmetic products. It is a humectant, which means it helps to retain and preserve moisture. When used in fragrance oils, glycerin can help to increase the projection and longevity of the scent.

To use glycerin to cut fragrance oil into EDP, you will need to add a small amount of glycerin to your fragrance oil. The exact ratio will depend on the strength of your fragrance oil and the desired strength of your EDP. It is important to add the glycerin slowly and stir well after each addition, as too much glycerin can make the fragrance oil cloudy or greasy.

Once you have added the desired amount of glycerin, you will need to stir or shake the mixture well to ensure that it is fully combined. You may need to let the mixture sit for a few hours or even days to allow the glycerin to fully dissolve into the fragrance oil.

After the glycerin has been fully incorporated, you can then add your perfumer's alcohol to create your EDP. Again, the ratio of alcohol to fragrance oil will depend on the strength and concentration of your fragrance oil and the desired strength of your EDP.

It is important to note that glycerin is not a substitute for alcohol in EDPs, but rather an additional ingredient that can help to improve the performance and longevity of the fragrance.

Shaking the oil and letting it sit

It is important to note that this method may not completely dissolve the carrier oil, and there may still be some separation between the layers. However, with frequent shaking and a long enough sitting period, the fragrance and essential oils should eventually dissolve into the alcohol.

The length of time required for the oils to dissolve will depend on various factors, such as the type of carrier oil and the concentration of the fragrance oil. It may take several days or even weeks for the oils to fully dissolve.

It is also important to use the correct ratio of perfume oil to alcohol. A higher concentration of perfume oil will result in a stronger fragrance, but it may also take longer to dissolve. Experimentation may be necessary to find the perfect ratio for your desired fragrance strength and projection.

Using a carrier oil

To cut fragrance oil into an eau de parfum (EDP), you can use a carrier oil. This is a two-step process. First, you need to add perfumer's alcohol to the fragrance oil. This will create a mixture of alcohol and fragrance, with a layer of carrier oil sitting on top. You can then drain off the carrier oil, leaving you with the alcohol and fragrance mixture.

The next step is to add the fragrance and alcohol mixture to a new carrier oil. This will help to dilute the fragrance and create a more subtle scent. You can use a variety of carrier oils, such as rice bran oil or sweet almond oil. It's important to choose a carrier oil that is compatible with your skin and has a neutral scent so that it doesn't overpower the fragrance.

When adding the fragrance and alcohol mixture to the carrier oil, it's important to add it slowly and stir well. This will help to ensure that the two substances are fully combined and create a consistent scent throughout the carrier oil.

You can adjust the ratio of fragrance and alcohol mixture to carrier oil depending on your desired scent strength. For a stronger scent, use a higher ratio of fragrance and alcohol mixture. For a more subtle scent, use a lower ratio.

It's important to note that when using a carrier oil, the fragrance may not be as long-lasting as an EDP created with perfumer's alcohol alone. However, using a carrier oil can help to improve the projection of the scent, making it more noticeable to others.

Diluting with alcohol

One user on a forum suggested that they had achieved good results by using Babbs' method, which involves using Al Rehab oils. Le Labo also appears to use a similar method when creating fragrances to order.

Another user on a forum asked for advice on diluting their fragrance oils with perfumer's alcohol, specifically the Mistral Formulators Alcohol 1L from Amazon UK. They wanted to create 100ml EDPs of their oils and were concerned about ruining the oils. They received a response recommending the use of perfumer's alcohol as a base for making fragranced sprays and products.

It is important to note that diluting fragrance oils with alcohol may not always produce the desired results. One user on a forum mentioned that while they had achieved a nominal degree of success with double enfleurage, the carrier oil did not completely dissolve.

Frequently asked questions