Antonio Mcgowan
Making perfume with rubbing alcohol is possible, but not ideal. Rubbing alcohol, or isopropyl alcohol, has a bitter odour that never truly disappears, which can affect the rest of the perfume's composition. It also contains a high percentage of water, which can make it difficult for other materials to dissolve into it. However, it is safe to use on the skin, as it was created to be rubbed on the skin, and it does project scents strongly. If you are set on using rubbing alcohol, it is recommended to use it at a low concentration as an additive. Instead of rubbing alcohol, perfumers typically use ethanol, which is cheaper, easier to obtain, and does not have an unsuitable top note.
Characteristics and Values Table for Making Perfume with Rubbing Alcohol
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Safety | Safe to use on skin |
| Smell | Has a bitter odour that doesn't go away |
| Strength | Projects scents strongly |
| Mixing | May not mix well with some ingredients |
| Cost | Relatively inexpensive |
| Longevity | Does not have a long-lasting smell |
| Storage | Store in a cool, dark location |
| Aging | Allow fragrance to age for 48 hours to a month |
| Dilution | Dilute with distilled/spring water |
| Containers | Use clean, sterile glass bottles |
| Notes | Top, middle, and base notes create a harmonious scent |
| Ingredients | Essential oils, fragrance oils, infused oils, flavour extracts |
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What You'll Learn
Isopropyl alcohol has a bitter odour
While some people claim that rubbing alcohol is suitable for making perfumes, others advise against it due to its distinct bitter odour. Isopropyl alcohol, also known as rubbing alcohol, has a very distinct bitter odour that never really goes away, no matter what you mix into it. One person who experimented with making perfume using rubbing alcohol noted that it smelled terrible and continued to smell terrible even after curing it for a month.
However, some people have found that while it does have a strong smell initially, the odour disappears once it evaporates. Isopropyl alcohol is a good solvent, especially in high concentrations, and can be used to eliminate body odours. It is also useful for creating perfume as it projects scents strongly.
Despite this, it is not recommended for perfumery due to its bitter odour and the fact that it does not mix well with some ingredients. It is also not suitable for applying to the skin as it can pass into the bloodstream and cause poisoning.
If you are looking to make perfume, it is best to use perfumer's alcohol (ethanol) instead of isopropyl alcohol. Ethanol does not have an awful top note that is unsuitable for perfumes, and it is much kinder to the skin. Vodka or Everclear, a pure 190-proof alcoholic beverage, are also commonly used in perfume-making as they are clear and do not have a "boozy" odour.
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Use perfumer's alcohol (ethanol)
If you're making perfume, you should use perfumer's alcohol (ethanol) rather than isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol). Isopropyl alcohol has a very distinct bitter odour that never really disappears, regardless of what you mix it with.
Perfumer's alcohol, or ethanol, is the easiest alcohol to obtain for making perfumes. Vodka or Everclear (a pure 190-proof alcoholic beverage) are often used because they are clear and don't have a particularly "boozy" odour. If you can't get hold of perfumer's alcohol, ethanol, vodka or Everclear, some alternatives are cosmetisch haarwater, grape seed oil, or another solvent.
When making your own perfume, you'll want to use 70% perfumer's alcohol and 30% fragrance oil. First, measure out 7 grams of alcohol and add it to your beaker. Then, add 3 grams of fragrance oil and blend your ingredients for 1-2 minutes so they fully mix together.
Once you're happy with your fragrance, you'll need to let it age. Place it in a cool, dark location for a minimum of 48 hours, up to a month. Aging your fragrance allows the scents to mingle and become stronger. After aging, you'll need to dilute your fragrance by adding 2 tablespoons of distilled/spring water. If you're making a perfume spray, add more water.
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Add 20-30% fragrance oil for a lingering scent
While rubbing alcohol can be used as a base for perfume, it is not recommended due to its distinct bitter odour that never really goes away. If you are looking for a long-lasting scent, it is best to opt for perfumer's alcohol (ethanol) instead. This type of alcohol is designed specifically for use in perfumery and does not have the same unpleasant odour as rubbing alcohol.
However, if you choose to use rubbing alcohol, adding 20-30% fragrance oil can help to mask the unpleasant odour and create a more pleasant, lingering scent. This concentration of fragrance oil will make your perfume more intense and longer-lasting.
It is important to note that the strength of the fragrance oil you use will also affect the overall scent and performance of your perfume. If you are using a weaker fragrance oil, you may need to add more than 20-30% to achieve the desired effect. On the other hand, if you are using a stronger fragrance oil, a lower concentration may be sufficient.
Experimenting with different ratios of fragrance oil to alcohol is a great way to find the perfect scent and performance for your unique perfume. You can also try mixing different types of fragrance oils to create complex and unique scents.
When creating your own perfume with rubbing alcohol, it is important to be cautious and avoid using any toxic ingredients. Some essential oils, such as jasmine, thyme, and cinnamon, can be harmful, especially in high doses. Always do your research and use caution when working with any new ingredients.
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Age your fragrance for a stronger scent
While some people argue that rubbing alcohol can be used to make perfumes, others advise against it due to its strong and unpleasant odour, which can negatively affect the final composition of the perfume. However, if you decide to use rubbing alcohol, ageing your fragrance can help strengthen the scent and improve the overall fragrance.
Ageing your fragrance allows the scents to mingle and become stronger. After creating your desired fragrance, place it in a cool, dark location for a minimum of 48 hours up to a month. The longer you let it age, the stronger the scent will become. Once the ageing period is over, smell your fragrance and adjust by adding a few more drops of scent if needed. However, if you add more scent, you will need to age it again.
It is important to note that ageing your fragrance will not eliminate the initial strong odour of the rubbing alcohol. This odour may not go away even after ageing for a month. Therefore, it is recommended to use high-grade ethanol or perfumer's alcohol instead of rubbing alcohol for a more pleasant and effective perfume-making experience.
If you are committed to using rubbing alcohol, ageing your fragrance for a longer period may help improve the scent. However, due to the limitations and challenges associated with using rubbing alcohol, it may be more advisable to explore alternative options, such as ethanol or perfumer's alcohol, for a more successful and enjoyable perfume-making process.
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Use a carrier oil like jojoba or sweet almond oil
Making perfume with rubbing alcohol is a safe option, as it was created to be applied to the skin. However, it has a very distinct bitter odour that never really disappears, which is why perfumers' alcohol is preferred. If you would still like to use rubbing alcohol, it is best to use it to experiment with different scents.
If you want to make a perfume with a more natural scent, it is best to use a carrier oil like jojoba or sweet almond oil. Carrier oils are vegetable oils that do not evaporate and are extracted from the fatty parts of plants. Jojoba oil is a recommended carrier oil for making perfume at home. It is odourless and colourless, moisturises the skin, and is absorbed quickly without leaving a greasy effect. It is also perfect for those with dry skin. To make a solid perfume, melt beeswax and jojoba oil on the stove in a water bath or bain-marie. Once melted, add your essential oils, pour the blend into 30ml solid perfume tins, and allow it to cool.
Sweet almond oil is another carrier oil that can be used to make perfume. It is also odourless and colourless, and can be purchased from most pharmacies. To make a liquid perfume, add your essential oils to a glass bottle containing sweet almond oil, place the lid on the bottle, and shake gently to blend the oils.
There are over 50 different carrier oils available on the market, and the choice of carrier oil depends on personal preference. Other carrier oils that can be used to make perfume include apricot kernel oil, grape seed oil, and coconut oil.
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