Essential Oils As Cologne: A Safe Alternative?

Essential oils are a great natural alternative to perfumes and colognes. They are plant-based and do not contain any unnatural ingredients. They are also much cheaper than designer perfumes and colognes. However, essential oils may not have long-lasting scents and can irritate the skin, so they should be diluted with a carrier oil before being applied to the skin. Some essential oils, such as lemongrass and rosemary, should not be applied to the skin at all. It is also important to note that essential oils are highly concentrated, so only a small amount is needed. Overall, essential oils can be a great way to create a unique and affordable fragrance, but it is important to do your research and be careful when using them.

How to make cologne with essential oils

Creating cologne from essential oils is a fun way to make a customised fragrance. The process is simple, but it can take a long time to perfect a fragrance. It's all about selecting the right combination of oils to create your desired scent.

Cologne Notes

Fragrance notes are divided into three classes: top, middle, and base. Top notes are the first scents you will smell after application, but they also fade the quickest. Base notes are the longest-lasting scents. Middle notes are somewhere in between.

When creating a cologne, you can add approximately 10-15% top notes, 25-30% middle notes, and 55-65% base notes. These numbers are just a starting point, so you can play around with them and adjust as you see fit.

Top Essential Oils for Men's Cologne

Top Notes

• Wild Orange
• Bergamot
• Juniper
• Lime
• Lemongrass
• Siberian Fir
• Bay

Middle Notes

• Sandalwood
• Pine
• Cypress
• Cardamon
• Basil
• Ylang Ylang
• Cedarwood
• Valor
• Stress Away

Base Notes

• Frankincense
• Patchouli
• Douglas Fir
• White Fir
• Clove
• Copaiba
• Cedarwood
• Sacred Sandalwood

Ingredients and Equipment

• Essential oils
• Carrier oil (e.g. fractionated coconut oil, vegetable glycerin, or perfumer's alcohol)
• Glass spray bottle or roller bottle
• Funnel
• Coffee filter

Method

First, add your essential oils to your chosen carrier oil in a glass bottle. Shake well. If you are making a spray cologne, top off the bottle with witch hazel. Secure the spray nozzle or roller top and shake again.

If you are making a perfume, leave the mixture to mature for around three weeks. Then, filter the cologne through a coffee filter to remove any sediment. Finally, pour the cologne into a glass perfume bottle using a funnel.

Your cologne is now ready to use!

Pros and cons of essential oils as cologne

Using essential oils as cologne has its pros and cons.

Pros

Firstly, essential oils are plant-based and don't contain any unnatural ingredients, making them a healthier and more affordable alternative to conventional perfumes and colognes. They also allow you to create your own unique scent, which can be quite romantic and cool.

Secondly, they are versatile and can be mixed and matched to create different scents for various occasions. For example, you can blend essential oils with woodsy and citrus notes for a refreshing, masculine scent or opt for florals like jasmine, lavender, rose, or ylang-ylang for a more feminine fragrance.

Lastly, essential oils can be diluted with carrier oils like coconut oil, jojoba oil, or sweet almond oil, making them safer and more gentle on the skin.

Cons

One of the drawbacks of using essential oils as cologne is that they may not have long-lasting scents compared to conventional perfumes and colognes. While store-bought perfumes can last for hours with minimal scent fade, essential oils may require more frequent reapplication.

Additionally, essential oils are much stronger and more concentrated than typical perfumes. They can irritate the skin if not diluted properly, and some essential oils, like lemongrass and rosemary, should not be applied to the skin at all.

Furthermore, creating a well-balanced fragrance by mixing essential oils can be challenging and may not always yield satisfactory results.

In conclusion, while essential oils offer the advantage of being natural, affordable, and customizable, they may require more frequent application and careful dilution to avoid skin irritation.

Examples of essential oils for masculine scents

Essential oils are a great natural alternative to traditional fragrances and can be used to create masculine scents.

When creating masculine fragrances, it is recommended to use woodsy or earthy oils as a base and combine them with citrusy, spicy, or minty notes. Here are some examples of essential oils that can be used to create masculine scents:

Woodsy Essential Oils

• Sandalwood
• Cedarwood
• Spruce
• Siberian Fir
• Douglas Fir
• White Fir

Earthy Essential Oils

• Patchouli
• Tea Tree (Melaleuca)

Spicy Essential Oils

• Cardamom
• Clove
• Black Pepper

Minty Essential Oils

Peppermint

Citrus Essential Oils

• Wild Orange
• Lemon
• Lime
• Bergamot

These essential oils can be blended in various combinations to create masculine scents for colognes, aftershaves, or diffusers. For example, a blend of wild orange, sandalwood, and frankincense creates a beautiful woodsy and citrus scent, while cedarwood and lemongrass make for a refreshing, masculine fragrance.

Examples of essential oils for feminine scents

Essential oils are a great natural alternative to perfumes and colognes, and they can also benefit your health!

Clary Sage

A sweet, fruity, and herbaceous scent, clary sage is said to have a calming effect on the body. It can be used to reduce anxiety, depression, and stress, and can promote sleep. It also helps to relieve pre-menstrual symptoms and muscular cramps.

Frankincense

Frankincense has a fresh, woody, and balsamic aroma with slightly spicy and fruity notes. It is a calming oil that is helpful when you need to unwind and de-stress.

Rose Geranium

With a floral and sweet fragrance and a slight hint of mint, rose geranium is used in skincare and to help with dermatitis, eczema, and wound healing. It has a balancing effect on the nervous system, so it is useful during times of anxiety and stress, and it can also provide relief against pre-menstrual symptoms.

Jasmine

The jasmine essential oil has a warm, sweet, and flowery aroma. It is known for its aphrodisiac qualities and is used for mood-lifting and in cases of exhaustion, depression, and nervous tension. Jasmine is also used in skincare as it helps soften dry, irritated, and sensitive skin.

Juniper Berry

Juniper Berry has a refreshing aroma with sweet, earthy, and wooden overtones. It has antiseptic and astringent properties and is primarily used to treat respiratory problems and urinary infections. It has also been used to treat gout, arthritis, and rheumatism. Juniper Berry is an uplifting oil that helps to clear the mind and relieve anxiety and stress.

Lavender

With a light, floral, and refreshing scent, lavender is a multipurpose essential oil. It can be used to alleviate pain, headaches, and stress, and it has antiseptic and analgesic properties that will ease the pain of burns and prevent infection. Lavender has a calming effect on the body and can be used to reduce anxiety and promote sleep.

Mandarin

Mandarin has a gentle, fruity, sweet, and citrusy scent. It is often used in skincare, particularly for oily skin, acne, and spots. It also aids digestion in times of abdominal discomfort. Through its calming qualities, mandarin is useful in times of depression, anxiety, and stress.

Neroli

Neroli has a delicate floral, citrusy, and exotic aroma. It is a calming oil that is helpful in times of sleeplessness, anxiety, stress, and depression. It is used in skincare as it encourages cell growth and improves the elasticity of the skin.

Rose

The rose essential oil has a sweet, floral, and rich aroma, with honey undertones. It is often used in skincare and is suitable for all skin types, particularly dry and damaged skin. It rejuvenates skin cells due to its soothing properties. Rose is an uplifting oil that is useful in times of sadness, grief, and upsetting situations.

Ylang Ylang

Ylang Ylang has a sweet, floral, and sensual aroma. It has the ability to arouse the senses and is highly suited for women with extreme mood swings occurring before menstruation. The sedative properties of this essential oil help to lower high blood pressure.

How to store homemade cologne

To store your homemade cologne, you'll need to find a suitable storage space and container.

Choosing the Right Storage Space:

• Avoid direct light. Sunlight can damage perfume bottles and their contents. Store your cologne in a darker place, such as a closet or drawer.
• Maintain a consistent temperature. Extreme temperatures can affect the quality of your cologne, so avoid storing it in areas with dramatic temperature changes, like the kitchen or bathroom.
• Avoid humid areas. Humidity can negatively impact your cologne, so don't store it in the bathroom. Instead, choose a dry area, such as a bedroom with a dehumidifier.
• Consider storing your cologne in the refrigerator to maintain a consistent temperature, but only if your refrigerator doesn't get too cold.
• A closet near your front door or a window may not be ideal as these areas can be prone to drafts and temperature changes.

Selecting a Storage Container:

• Use glass bottles or containers, preferably amber or dark-coloured, to avoid the essential oils losing their potency.
• Keep your cologne in its original bottle if it is attractive and airtight.
• Store your cologne in its box before placing it in a storage space. This will provide extra protection from heat and sunlight.
• For travel, use smaller vessels or transfer your cologne to an empty travel-sized bottle to avoid carrying a full-sized bottle.

Additional Tips:

• Always keep the cap on the bottle when not in use to prevent oxidation and evaporation.
• Avoid shaking the bottle excessively, as this can introduce unwanted oxidation.
• Store your cologne away from flammable materials or open flames.

Frequently asked questions