Homemade Men's Cologne - Dr. Axe

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Homemade Men’s Cologne

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Homemade Men's Cologne - Dr.Axe

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

Total Time: 2 minutes
Serves: 30

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:

  1. Mix all ingredients together and store in a bottle.

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43 Comments

  1. Melissa Palmer on

    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.

  2. Vee on

    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?

  3. Albert on

    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

  4. Michelle Hays on

    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 :)

  5. Fredrick Fowler on

    I so enjoyed this article and would like information regarding making my own colognes for men. Thank you.
    Fredrick Fowler

  6. Melissa Palmer on

    which Sandalwood do you suggest/prefer – Australian or East Indian? I hear their scents are rather different.

  7. Sandra L. Wells on

    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.

  8. Kelly on

    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!

  9. Deb on

    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

  10. Tanya on

    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?

  11. razz on

    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?

    • Dr. Josh Axe on

      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.

    • Dr. Josh Axe on

      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!

  12. Maura on

    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.

  13. Leon on

    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?

      • Lizz on

        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.

    • Tanis on

      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.

      • Jeanne B on

        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!

    • Sarah on

      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.

    • Nate on

      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.

    • Karen B on

      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.

  14. Jarrod on

    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.

    • Eleanor Day on

      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.

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