Anisha Riggs
Making perfume with propylene glycol is a simple process that can be done at home. Propylene glycol is a colourless, odourless, and non-irritating compound that acts as a binder and stabiliser in perfumes. It is an effective solvent for fragrance oils and helps to create a slower dispersion of the fragrance. The strength of the perfume can be adjusted by changing the ratio of propylene glycol in the formula. To make perfume with propylene glycol, one must first prepare and measure out the ingredients, including fragrance oils, Muscol, Reaqua P20, and denatured alcohol. The ingredients are then mixed together, with the propylene glycol helping to dilute and stabilise the mixture. The perfume is then left to cure for a few hours and can be packaged in bottles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Denatured Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Fragrance Oil, Muscol, Reaqua P20, Deionized Water |
| Mixing process | Mix the fragrance oil, Muscol, Reaqua P20, and propylene glycol together. Then, slowly add this first mix to the denatured alcohol while stirring continuously. Slowly add the deionized water while still stirring everything together. |
| Curing time | A few hours |
| Container type | Glass containers and glass or metal mixing tools are ideal, but plastic is also fine for small batches |
| Container colour | Dark-coloured bottles are best for storage and packaging to minimise contact with light and air |
| Storage location | Dry, cool, and dark places |
| Strength adjustment | Increase or decrease the ratio of propylene glycol to change the strength of the perfume |
| Function of propylene glycol | Binds and stabilises perfume molecules, acts as a solvent, helps retain fragrance, and creates a slower dispersion |
| Properties of propylene glycol | Colourless, almost odourless, high boiling point, low toxicity, low skin irritation potential, soluble in water |
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What You'll Learn
Prepare and measure ingredients
To make perfume with propylene glycol, you'll first need to prepare and measure out the ingredients. The specific ingredients you'll need will depend on the fragrance you want to create, but some common fragrance oils include sandalwood, cedarwood, bergamot, lavender, and vanilla. In addition to fragrance oils, you'll also need propylene glycol, which acts as a solvent, stabiliser, and binder for the fragrance compounds. Other ingredients commonly used in perfume-making include muscol, reaqua P20, denatured alcohol, and deionized water.
It's important to measure your ingredients accurately, especially when working with expensive materials or strong fragrances. While some perfumers recommend using drops to measure out essential oils, others advise against this, suggesting that using a scale is the only way to ensure accuracy and repeatability in your formula. A jewellery scale can be a good option for beginners and hobbyists, providing accuracy without a large investment.
When measuring your ingredients, consider the desired strength of your perfume. The strength can be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the ratio of propylene glycol in the formula. A common ratio is three parts essential oil to seven parts propylene glycol, but this can be adjusted to create a stronger or more subtle fragrance.
Once you've measured out your fragrance oils, you'll want to mix them together before adding them to the propylene glycol. This will help ensure that your fragrance oils are evenly distributed throughout the final product. You may also need to dilute your fragrance oils before adding them to the propylene glycol, especially if they are highly concentrated or have a strong scent.
In addition to your fragrance oils and propylene glycol, you'll also need to prepare any other ingredients you're using, such as alcohol, water, or other solvents. These ingredients will help to dilute and carry the fragrance, ensuring that it can be safely applied to the skin.
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Mix fragrance oil, Muscol, Reaqua P20, and propylene glycol
To make perfume, you'll need to mix fragrance oil, Muscol, Reaqua P20, and propylene glycol. These ingredients can be purchased from suppliers such as Eunice. Before mixing, prepare and measure out the ingredients.
The amount of each ingredient depends on the desired strength of the fragrance and the quantity of perfume being made. For example, if making 1 litre of perfume, use 700ml of denatured alcohol (70%) and 150ml of fragrance oil (15%). If you want a stronger fragrance, you can increase the amount of fragrance oil to 200ml (20%) and reduce the alcohol to 650ml (65%).
Firstly, mix the fragrance oil, Muscol, Reaqua P20, and propylene glycol together. Propylene glycol is a colourless and odourless solvent that binds the fragrance ingredients, acting as a stabiliser. Then, slowly add this mixture to the denatured alcohol, stirring continuously until it dissolves. Finally, slowly add deionized water to the mixture, continuing to stir, and let it sit for a few hours to "cure".
Ideally, use glass containers and glass or metal mixing tools, but plastic is also fine for small batches.
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Add the first mix to denatured alcohol
When making perfume, it's important to prepare and measure out the ingredients first. Once you've done that, you can start mixing.
Firstly, mix the fragrance oil, Muscol, Reaqua P20, and propylene glycol together. Propylene glycol is a colourless and odourless compound that binds the fragrance ingredients used while making perfume, acting as a stabiliser. It also dissolves in water completely.
Now, you can add this first mix to the denatured alcohol. Do this step slowly, stirring continuously so that the mixture dissolves properly. Denatured alcohol, also known as methylated spirits, is ethanol that has additives to make it poisonous, bad-tasting, foul-smelling, or nauseating to discourage its recreational consumption. It is important to note that not all denatured alcohols are suitable for use in perfumes. The most widely used and recommended variant is SD-40b, a specific grade denatured with tert-butyl alcohol.
After adding the first mix to the denatured alcohol, you can slowly add the deionized water while still stirring everything together.
Finally, let the perfume sit for a few hours to "cure". Ideally, use glass containers and glass or metal mixing tools. If you're making small batches for yourself, plastic is fine too.
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Add deionized water
When making perfume with propylene glycol, the process begins by mixing the fragrance oil, Muscol, Reaqua P20, and propylene glycol together. This first mix is then added to the denatured alcohol while stirring continuously. Finally, deionized water is added to the mixture.
Deionized water, also known as deionised water, DI water, or demineralized water, is water that has undergone a process to remove charged molecules, or ions. Ions are molecules with a positive or negative electrical charge, which appear as dissolved mineral salts in water. Common minerals found in tap water include calcium, magnesium, iron, sodium, chloride, sulfates, nitrates, carbonates, and silica. High concentrations of these minerals create hard water, which can leave a scaly residue when it dries and can be corrosive.
To produce deionized water, water is pushed through a tank or cartridge that is lined with positively and negatively charged resin beads. The beads attract ions with an opposite charge, pulling them from the water. This process is called ion exchange. It is important to note that deionization only removes ions, and deionized water may still contain uncharged contaminants and suspended solids, including viruses and bacteria.
When making perfume, deionized water is added to the mixture to dilute the other ingredients. The amount of deionized water added will depend on the desired concentration of the other ingredients. For example, if you want to increase the fragrance oil content, you can decrease the amount of denatured alcohol and increase the amount of fragrance oil, adjusting the amount of deionized water accordingly.
In some applications, such as in boat engines and cars, propylene glycol is mixed with deionized water. In these cases, the minimum percentage of propylene glycol is typically around 25-40%, with the rest being deionized water. This helps to prevent algal growth and ensures the mixture is not too viscous, allowing it to pass through small cooling channels or fins.
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Cure, bottle, and label
Curing
After mixing your perfume, you will need to let it cure for at least a month. During this time, the alcohol smell should dissipate, leaving behind your desired scent. If the alcohol smell is still prominent, you may need to let the perfume sit for longer.
Bottling
When bottling your perfume, ensure that you are using the correct type of bottle. Perfume bottles typically have spray nozzles instead of caps. You can purchase new atomizer bottles, or reuse old perfume bottles. If reusing, wash them out with rubbing alcohol and run them through the dishwasher.
Labelling
The design of your bottle and its label are just as important as the aroma of your perfume. Custom perfume bottles and labels can increase brand value and perceived value, making your product stand out on store shelves. You can use sticker labels, which are available in a range of sizes, shapes, and materials, or pad printing. If your product is regulated by the FDA, you will need to list your ingredients on the label. However, fragrance formulas are often complex and highly detailed, so you may be able to simply declare "fragrance" on the label, without revealing your trade secrets.
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Frequently asked questions
Propylene glycol is a colourless, almost odourless, viscous liquid with a slightly sweet taste. It is used in perfumes to connect and carry perfume elements, usually with one or more essential oils or perfume oils.
You will need fragrance oils such as sandalwood, cedarwood, bergamot, vodka, and vanilla. You will also need propylene glycol, denatured alcohol, muscol, reaqua P20, and deionized water.
The amount of each ingredient will depend on the desired strength of your perfume. A common ratio is three parts essential oils to seven parts propylene glycol. You can increase or decrease the ratio of propylene glycol to change the strength of the perfume.
First, prepare and measure out the ingredients. Mix the fragrance oil, muscol, reaqua P20, and propylene glycol together. Then, slowly add this mixture to the denatured alcohol while stirring continuously. Finally, slowly add the deionized water while continuing to stir. Let the perfume sit for a few hours to "cure".
It is important to use glass containers and glass or metal mixing tools when making perfume. You should also store your perfume in dark-coloured bottles in a cool, dry, and dark place to prolong its shelf life.
