Lance Carson
Making perfume with essential oils without alcohol is a great way to create a unique scent that is safe and moisturising for your skin. Natural perfumes can be expensive, but they are easy and fun to make at home, allowing you to experiment with different combinations of essential oils to create a signature scent. There are thousands of ingredients used in store-bought perfumes, many of which are questionable, so making your own perfume ensures you know exactly what you are spraying on your skin.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of essential oils | 1-3 |
| Essential oils for energizing perfume | Lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit |
| Essential oils for floral perfume | Lavender, peony |
| Essential oils for sensual perfume | Amber, vanilla, ylang-ylang |
| Essential oils for romantic perfume | Orange, ylang-ylang |
| Essential oils for earthy perfume | Vetiver, ginger |
| Essential oils for herbal perfume | Chamomile, basil, mint, rosemary, clove |
| Essential oils for musky perfume | Amber |
| Essential oils for a fresh scent | Lime |
| Essential oils for a crisp, clean scent | Chamomile, basil, mint, rosemary, clove |
| Alcohol | 7ml of 190-proof grain alcohol, Everclear, grape alcohol, vodka, rectified spirits |
| Dilution | 20-25 drops of oils with 2 fluid ounces (59ml) of rectified spirits |
| Distilled water | 20 drops (optional) |
| Storage | Dark-coloured bottles, cool, dark place |
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What You'll Learn
Choose a base oil like jojoba, coconut, or carrier oil
When making a perfume with essential oils, it is important to choose an appropriate base oil. The base oil acts as a carrier for the fragrance compounds and influences how long the scent lasts and how far it travels. For example, alcohol-based perfumes carry the scent further as the alcohol evaporates and takes the fragrance with it. On the other hand, oil-based perfumes keep the scent closer to the skin as the oil soaks into the pores.
There are several options for base oils, each with its own unique properties and benefits:
Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil is a popular choice for oil-based perfumes. It is extracted from the seeds of the jojoba plant and has a variety of uses. In perfumery, jojoba oil acts as an excellent carrier for fragrance compounds, binding with and slowly releasing the scent over time. This ensures that your perfume has longevity and stays with you throughout the day. Additionally, jojoba oil interacts with your body's natural chemistry, creating a personalized scent experience. The same fragrance can smell slightly different on each person, adapting to their unique pheromones and enhancing their allure.
Coconut Oil
Fractionated coconut oil is the most commonly used base oil for perfume. Coconut oil can be used as a carrier for your fragrance, and some people choose to add cologne to their coconut oil to create a scented moisturizer. However, it is important to note that coconut oil has its own scent, which may be more or less noticeable depending on the temperature. When mixing cologne with coconut oil, it is recommended to let any alcohol in the cologne evaporate before stirring it into the oil.
Carrier Oil
Carrier oils are another option for creating perfume without alcohol. These oils are used to dilute your fragrance ingredients and can help to create a longer-lasting scent. They are called carrier oils because they carry the fragrance and influence how it is experienced. Oils and alcohols interact differently with fragrance materials, so choosing the right carrier depends on the desired effect. Oil-based perfumes are moisturizing and create a subtle enhancement to your general aroma, as they tone down the fragrance and keep it closer to the body.
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Use 20-25 drops of essential oil for a 2% dilution
To make a natural perfume with essential oils, you'll need a few ingredients and some equipment. Essential oils are highly concentrated, so they must be diluted for safe use. A dilution of 20-25 drops of essential oil in 2 fluid ounces (59 ml) of carrier alcohol will result in a 2% dilution, which is safe for use on the skin.
First, choose your essential oils. For a refreshing, energizing scent, you could opt for citrus oils such as lemon, lime, or orange. These can be paired with other citrus scents or floral or herbal notes. For a crisp, clean scent, you could try herbal oils such as chamomile, basil, mint, rosemary, or clove. These scents work well with florals, citrus, and musk. If you prefer a warm, sensual fragrance, combine amber and vanilla or use muskier scents.
Once you've chosen your oils, you'll need to gather your other ingredients and equipment. You'll need a carrier, such as alcohol or jojoba, coconut, or carrier oil, and a container for your perfume. A 10ml atomizer bottle is a good option, and you can reuse an old perfume bottle as long as you wash it thoroughly first. You'll also need a pipette or dropper, a small bowl, and a funnel.
Now you can begin creating your perfume. Using your pipette or dropper, add 20-25 drops of your chosen essential oils to the small bowl containing your carrier alcohol. Adjust the number of drops of each oil to emphasize certain scents. For example, if you're making a lemongrass and peppermint blend and want the lemongrass to be dominant, use 15 drops of lemongrass and 10 drops of peppermint. Stir the mixture thoroughly to combine.
Finally, pour your blended perfume into your chosen container. If you're using a funnel, place it in the bottle first, then carefully pour in your perfume. Ensure the lid is secure, then shake the bottle to combine the dilution and alcohol. Your perfume is now ready to use, but it's recommended to store it in a cool, dark place, as sunlight can break down essential oils, causing them to lose their scent.
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Avoid rubbing alcohol, as it can overpower the scent
When making perfume with essential oils, it's important to avoid using rubbing alcohol as your base. While it can be tempting to reach for this easily accessible ingredient, rubbing alcohol has a very high concentration of isopropyl, typically around 75%. This high concentration gives it a very harsh smell that will overpower the more subtle notes of your essential oils.
If you want to create a perfume with a more delicate, nuanced fragrance, it's best to opt for a different base. There are various alternatives to rubbing alcohol that can be used as a base for your perfume. One option is to use a high-proof grain alcohol, such as Everclear, which will give you a stronger base that won't overpower your essential oils. However, Everclear may not be easily accessible as it is illegal in many states.
Another option is to use natural perfumery-grade alcohol, such as 200-proof SDA 40-B 99.88% ethanol, which can be purchased online. This type of alcohol is designed specifically for creating fragrances and will not interfere with the scent of your essential oils.
If you're looking for a more natural base, you can use carrier oils such as jojoba oil, coconut oil, or olive oil. These oils will not only dilute your essential oils but also nourish your skin, making your perfume a truly indulgent experience. However, it's important to note that if you use a base oil, your fragrance will not be able to dissolve in any form of alcohol, so you'll need to stick with oils for dilution.
Additionally, when choosing essential oils for your perfume, be mindful of their potency. Citrus oils, for example, tend to be very strong, and combining more than two can be overwhelming. On the other hand, herbal scents like chamomile, basil, mint, and rosemary create fresh and earthy fragrances that are perfect for mixing with florals, citrus, or musk.
By avoiding rubbing alcohol and carefully selecting your base and essential oils, you'll be able to create a well-balanced, captivating perfume that showcases the beauty of your chosen scents.
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Store in a dark-coloured bottle to preserve the fragrance
Once you've crafted your perfect perfume, it's important to store it correctly to preserve its fragrance. Scents are sensitive, and factors like light, heat, and oxygen can cause them to break down and lose their pleasant aroma.
Firstly, always store your perfume in a dark place. Light can break down the chemical bonds in a perfume, altering its scent and even melting the bottle if it's made of plastic. Sunlight is particularly harmful, so avoid displaying your perfume in direct sunlight or on a windowsill. Instead, opt for a dark cupboard or closet. Some people even store their perfume in the fridge to prolong its life, although this may not be practical for everyone.
Secondly, keep your perfume away from sources of heat. Heat can worsen the scent and cause it to deteriorate, so avoid placing it near a radiator or in a hot, humid bathroom. The ideal storage temperature is cool, so a cellar or a room with a dehumidifier could be a good option.
Thirdly, minimise the perfume's exposure to oxygen. Oxygen causes the scent to dilute and become oxidised, so always keep the bottle tightly capped when not in use. Try to store the perfume in its original packaging, as these boxes are designed to protect the fragrance and can increase its lifespan.
Finally, take care when travelling with your perfume. Avoid using a balloon pump dispenser, as these are not airtight and can leak. A spray bottle with a secure cap is a better option for preventing leaks and accidental sprays.
By following these storage tips, you can help preserve your homemade perfume and ensure it retains its fragrance for as long as possible.
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Leave the perfume for at least a month before using it
Leaving your perfume to rest
Once you've blended your perfume, it's a good idea to leave it to rest for at least a month before using it. This is sometimes referred to as "ageing" your perfume, like you would wine or liquor. This process allows the scent to develop and mature, and can even help to get rid of unwanted soapy notes.
Perfumes can smell very different after a long rest. This is because the dominance of ingredients changes, altering the overall perception of the scent. The scent physically and chemically changes over time, degrading or refining into something different.
It's important to store your perfume correctly during this resting period. Keep it in a cool, dark place, as sunlight can break down essential oils, causing them to lose their scent. Exposure to moisture can also cause the chemical structure to break down, as can frequent changes in temperature.
After your perfume has rested for a month, you can start using it. However, be aware that perfume does expire. The life of the product depends on the quality of the ingredients and how you store it. Many perfumes will have an expiry date printed on the bottom of the bottle or packaging, so be sure to check this before using your perfume.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need 1-3 essential oils of your choice, a base such as jojoba or coconut oil, and a container to hold the perfume.
Popular essential oils include lavender, vanilla, citrus fruits such as lime and orange, and herbal scents like chamomile, basil, mint, and rosemary.
Dilute 20-25 drops of essential oils with 2 fluid ounces (59 mL) of carrier oil. Balance the scents according to your preference, with more drops of the scent you want to stand out. Then, stir the mixture thoroughly.
Always use a dark-colored bottle to preserve the fragrance for longer. Store the bottle in a cool, dark place, as sunlight can break down essential oils and cause them to lose their scent.
Homemade alcohol-based perfumes have a shelf life of around 3-5 years, similar to store-bought perfumes. Oil-based perfumes have a shorter shelf life of about a year. If the perfume starts to smell off, discard it and make a new batch.
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