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Homemade Men’s Cologne
June 19, 2014
Many cologne’s contain synthetic fragrances that can be toxic. Instead, try this homemade men’s cologne recipe. It’s easy to make, and the essential oils — including cedarwood essential oil, bergamot oil and sandalwood essential oil — provide health benefits while smelling amazing! Try it today!
Note: Citrus essentials oils are highly concentrated and are full of healthy acidic properties. Because of this, we recommend you use glass containers when storing them so they don’t eat away any of the plastic.
Homemade Men’s Cologne
Ingredients:
- 5 drops cedarwood essential oil
- 3 drops bergamot essential oil
- 2 drops sandalwood essential oil
- 8 ounces (300ml) 70 percent alcohol or vodka
- Glass roll on tube or glass cologne spray bottle
Directions:
- Mix all ingredients together and store in a bottle.
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Oh boy. I finally made this after waiting forever for the sandalwood to arrive. I made in a small amber glass roller bottle and scaled the EOs but still far more potent than instructed: 3 drops cedarwood, 2 drops sandalwood, 2 drops bergamot in a base of 80 proof vodka. I also added 2 drops lavender just because. I LOVE this. My 12 yr old son who is just now testing the waters with scents and hair stuff and the like will LOVE this. My hubs will LOVE this. So earthy and satisfying and different. I just can’t stop sniffing myself… Thank you Dr. Axe for a fantastic recipe.
What type of carrying oil do you suggest if I do not want to use alcohol? Plus would the oil make it smell longer on the skin?
You can use the essential oils mixed with fractionated coconut oil
To be honest, i had no idea what to expect from this cologne, i told all my friends that I’m going to make it. To be honest it smells just nice, lemony, fresh but manly.
I just wonder, is this more like Eau de Toilette, it seems that it evaporates off skin/clothes very fast.
I guess its just different from the colognes i used to use so i just have to carry a little spray bottle with me all day.
Thanks so much Dr. Axe, i read your web every day.
Best regards
Albert
Your recipe calls for 300 ml ( Approx 10 oz ) of vodka is this a typo? It seems like 30 ml would be more appropriate for one bottle??
Thanks so much :)
I so enjoyed this article and would like information regarding making my own colognes for men. Thank you.
Fredrick Fowler
which Sandalwood do you suggest/prefer – Australian or East Indian? I hear their scents are rather different.
I use Indian and Hawaiian
i made this with Young Living essential oils and my hubby loved it!
are doTerra oils organic?
Thank you
They are not certified organic but are pure and high quality. For my personal oil recommendations, email me at [email protected]
It is imperative to use bergaptene free Bergamot oil, and equally imperative to use vodka or glycerine/water blend as isopropyl alcohol contains an anti-ingestant that is a known carcinogen.
While it is an excellent source of satisfaction for me to see the use of essential oils on the rise, as they are my livelihood, it is commensurately dismaying to see misapplication. Dr. Axe’s medical and health advice is a source of knowledge that is invaluable and certainly respected, but I would suggest there is no such thing as too much knowledge and that information regarding essential oils should be gleaned carefully.
I was wondering if an essential oil and jojoba oil blend would work for this recipe? I’m wondering if the jojoba will cause and issue when being combined with the vodka?
Thanks!
Hi
I’m having trouble finding 70% vodka (in Australia) – I actually don’t think you can buy it here – the highest I can find is 40% which they say is 80 proof. Would this be okay?
Deb
Yes this should work
Love all your recipes Dr. Axe..just made this in a roll on with vodka. I’m having trouble with the 2 liquids separating..is this normal?
It can do that. Just shake the bottle well before each use.
Is that rubbing alcohol?
Vodka
Is alcohol required, or could you just use water? I’ve read some essential oils are aphrodisiacs, rose for example works for women as sandle wood for men. Would a guy not want to wear rose to entice a woman? Confused? Or is the intention to stir desire in the self?
I wouldn’t use water because oils and water don’t mix. I would just straight oils with a carrier oil if you want to avoid alcohol. I think people can wear whatever fragrance they prefer, it’s totally up to the user.
It sounds weird applying vodka on my skin. Will it cause any skin issues?
It should be used in such small amounts that it shouldn’t be a problem.
Thank you, I’m going to make this for my husband. Do you have any recipes for ladies perfume?
Feel free to use whichever blends of oils that you enjoy the smell of most! My wife loves rose, sandalwood, jasmine and bergamot. There’s also an oil blend created for women that she loves to use as well!
A fairly reliable way to determine the efficacy of an oil is to notice whether the botanical name of the oil is on the bottle.
I want to make this but I ordered aluminum bottles before I saw the note about using glass. Will the citric acid affect the aluminum?
Hard to say. I think using glass or stainless steel is a better option.
To be on the safe side, I steer clear of all aluminum…..the research of negative effects on your health is well documented.
I really would like some advice on some of the brands of essential oils people would recommend.
For my oil recommendations, email [email protected]
I think maybe try other essential oils would be a good option for you “as a dr. ” my opinion, i wont use DoTerra’s oils as they are already diluted with FCO. I use Simply Aroma’s oils they are not diluted with FCO, so you actually get a full bottle of E.O.
I love my Doterra oils. Most of their oils are not diluted with FCO.
doTerra are wonderful oils I and my husband use quite a few doTerra oil. I have tried others did not get the relief as we do with doTerra. Have any questions please feel free to ask.
I don’t know why I’m hesitant to take essential oils internally; in particular doterra on guard. I put a couple drops on bottom of my feet and then love smelling my hands afterwards! It smells so good!
I have had great success with Spark Naturals and Native American Nutritionals both brands can be ordered directly from their websites. I find their quality to be pure with fair pricing.
I use doTERRA.
I have been using Selah Essential Oils. They are a Christian-based company that doesn’t get into the New Age part of the EO’s. I have tried several different companies’ Peppermint and theirs is by far my favorite.
I recommend Doterra!! You can read more info at my website!
We use doterra essential oils in our home.
I’m a health & wellness coach & have used nearly all brands of essential oils over the last dozen yrs…..my choice, after trial & error, research & comparison, is doTERRA….my clients have achieved higher levels of success also.
One thing to keep in mind is oil of bergamot can cause a light sensitive skin reaction in some individuals. If this causes any reaction to your skin, it isn’t necessarily an allergic reaction, but should be discontinued. Incidentally, those same people can have a similar reaction to lime juice.
With only 3 drops of bergamot and diluted by a half pint of alcohol, I don’t think it would be a big problem. Might not want to use it before suntanning though.