How to Make Homemade Eau de Cologne for Men

Suzanne is a qualified beautician with experience as a freelance makeup artist.

The Gift of Fragrance

What man does not enjoy fragrance? Granted, not every man will wear aftershave or even cologne, but he will generally have fragrance in the form of a deodorant, antiperspirant, body wash or other grooming products.

The men in my family all had different likes and dislikes. One used aftershave or eau de toilette religiously, another when “going out” would wear aftershave splash and my dad, the one working in the cosmetic and fragrance industry, never wore aftershave!

These 3 recipes make great gift ideas, ladies, for the man in your life. Dads will appreciate this on Father’s Day, birthdays, Christmas and just as a little “Dad, you’re special” spontaneous gift.

I have found a fragrance that reminds me of an Italian spring morning, of mountain daffodils and orange blossoms after the rain.

— Giovanni Maria Farina

Giovanni Maria Farina (see quote above) created the original Eau de Cologne. In a show of respect to this master of fragrance, I have put together 3 different homemade cologne recipes which step back in time to when perfume making was about natural, simple clean fragrances that awaken the senses. With Farina’s quote in mind, here are my 3 for men to enjoy.

Don't forget to give your fragrance a special name!

A sunny and radiant oil, orange oil promotes the feel-good factor and brings a lively fresh scent to cologne.

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Fresh Cologne Recipe

You may juggle around the quantities of essential oils, just keep total drops to 58 with this amount of the orange flower water and Vodka or Ethanol. A good tip is to have a pen and a notebook handy to keep track of your blend so you will be able to recreate it easily.

Ingredients and Supplies

• 16 drops Bergamot
• 14 drops Petitgrain
• 8 drops Orange
• 8 drops Lemon
• 7 drops Lavender
• 5 drops Neroli
• 10 ml Orange Flower Water
• 230 ml Ethanol Alcohol or Vodka
• Glass Mixing Jug (makes pouring into your bottle easier, alternatively use a small funnel to fit your bottle)
• Dark Glass Container (with sealed, airtight lid)

Method

1. Pour the alcohol into your mixing jar.
2. Add the essential oils one by one and mix well.
3. Pour into your bottle, cap it and leave for 4 days.
4. Add in the orange flower water, re-cap and leave the cologne for 2 weeks out of direct sunlight. Give a light shake daily.
5. By leaving your Cologne for a couple of weeks it gives the essential oils time to combine and become more rounded.
6. Apply this Cologne to your pulse points where the skin is warmest (behind the ears, inside of the wrists, base of the throat or behind the neck are all the commonly used for men and women).

Every man’s skin is different, some are more sensitive than other’s and if applying after shaving it may be too concentrate for the stimulated pores. Some men who use their Eau de Toilette on the face (the highest concentrated fragrance form) may find this too astringent as it is designed for pulse points and not the sensitive face. Also, I would recommend using it cautiously on the face due to the high amount of citrus oils (see section on sun sensitivity).

Making a range of grooming products with these essential oils is very doable if you want to layer your fragrance and make it last even longer. Homemade body wash, soap, body lotion and deodorant are some of the possibilities that may be easily made in your kitchen.

Refreshing Alcohol-Free Cologne Recipe

Ingredients and Supplies

• 2 cups of Witch Hazel Extract
• 2 oz Rosewater
• 2 oz Aloe Vera Gel
• ½ oz Vegetable Glycerine
• 10 drops Essential Oil of Choice (a few good suggestions are lavender, sandalwood, peppermint and bergamot)
• Dark Glass Jar (with sealed lid)

Method

1. For this fragrance, add all the ingredients (except the essential oil) to your container and mix well to combine. You may pop on the lid securely and give it a good few shakes too.
2. Add in the essential oil and give it a mix.
3. Re-cap your glass container and remember to give it a gentle shake each time you go to use it.
4. To apply your cologne, just pour a small amount into your hands and gently apply to the face after shaving.
5. Avoid the delicate eye area.
6. This may also be used on the pulse points as in the previous recipe.

Oil-Based Cologne Recipe

This recipe was one I tweaked and changed to give the men who may favor a sensual oil based fragrance, one to try at home.

For this one it is based on a perfume recipe so the percentage of essential oils is higher at 15 % which should not be exceeded. Feel free to experiment with essential oils but keep to the total drops of 19 and remember to check out the important safety rules when using essential oils.

Ingredients and Supplies

• 6 drops Bergamot
• 5 drops Coriander
• 4 drops Neroli
• 3 drops Sandalwood
• 1 drop Cedarwood
• 10 ml Jojoba Oil
• Mixing Container
• Small Dark Glass Bottle

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Method

1. Add the jojoba oil to your mixing container.
2. One by one add in the essential oils carefully.
3. Mix together well.
4. Pour into your small glass container, pop on the lid and leave for a week before using.
5. The glass containers with the droppers are ideal for this recipe with an oil base.
6. To apply, use the dropper to apply a drop to the wrists, behind the ears and whatever pulse points you wish.

Oil based fragrance lasts particularly well and while it is not Cologne, I added this in for variety and an alternative for men.

Phototoxicity or Sun Sensitivity

Certain essential oils cause the skin to be more sensitive to sunlight and this may cause the skin to react and burn or damage more easily. The essential oils themselves are not harmful but when used in UV light, they may cause the skin to be more sensitive than normal.

The main essential oils to take notes of are the Citrus oils. Using carrier oils, base oils or other dilutions reduces the effects in most Citrus Scents apart from Lemon so this one should always be used with caution. For a full list please click here.

Important Safety Info

• Safety with essential oils.
  The safety with essential oils must be kept in mind when using any essential oils. This gives a comprehensive guide to using these volatile oils.

History of Eau de Cologne

Eau de Cologne is the least concentrated form of fragrance more associated with men today. Originating in the early 18th century by Italian perfume maker Giovanni Maria Farina, he named this fragrance "water of Cologne" in honor of his new hometown Cologne in Germany.

To this day, the legacy lives on as the oldest perfume factory in the world and the house of Farina is still a family run fragrance business today, being run by 8th generation descendants of the founder. The Farina museum is situated alongside the business in Cologne and is well worth a visit if in the Rhineland vicinity.

The original light, citrus fragrance that was to be known throughout the world became a firm favourite of the famous including Oscar Wilde, Mozart and Mark Twain. Royalty across Europe were soon to commission Farina for his exquisite Eau de Cologne.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

© 2013 Suzanne Ridgeway

Homemade Eau de Cologne for Men Comments

V.john francis on August 15, 2018:

EAU de Cologne which I tried making at home,and here it is take a container add lavender 15 drops,spearmint 3 d,lemon citrus 12d,neroli 5d,bergamot10d,coriander 8d pour into the desired jar close the lid and keep it in dark place for four weeks shaking once a day after 4 weeks add orange flower water or ethanol to top up the 100 ml.jar lastly adding distilled water 15ml or desired., and keep aside the jar for another 6 weeks to blend well.

V.j. francis on May 13, 2018:

I made my own eau de Cologne,somewat feel good.pour ethanol 80ml into the desired container then add bergomot 16 drops,sandal oil15 drops,orange10 drops, lemon 20 drops, distilled water 15 drops,p etit grian 10 drops shake well close the lud keep apart for six weeks shaking vigorously for 1 minute daily., Try it

jimmy hyaden on May 01, 2017:

is it suppose to be green?

Victoria Van Ness from Fountain, CO on January 24, 2014:

That's so amazing that you can make cologne on your own. Unfortunately, I am highly allergic to it. lol Great article!

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on April 30, 2013:

Apologies Bill (billybuc)

I wrote your reply in order and god knows what happened to it!! Apologies my trusty friend!! You light up my page with your ever present watchful eye, I am so happy you care to choose my work to comment on! Thanks for commenting here, no worries I will find that mystery product YOU WILL MAKE sometime but in the meantime, carry on doing what you do because what you do makes you the person you are!

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on April 28, 2013:

Hi George,

Delighted you found useful, anytime!

George Greene Jr. from California PA on April 28, 2013:

Thank you! I will check those sites immediately!

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on April 28, 2013:

Hi George,

Thanks for your question and interest. Certainly Roses are extremely popular to use in a variety of fragrant ways. i have two or three existing hubs you may find useful. one is using the petals in homemade potpourri, another is using as frosted rose petals in deserts, cakes as an edible decoration and the tird is rosewater and lemon face wash which includes how to make your own rosewater using fresh rose petals. it also includes a number of other recipes for the face. Rose essential oil is one of the most widely used in fragrance perfumes so I will include it for you in my fragrance for women hub! Lilies I agree are lovely so i will look into its use in recipes as I don't have any to-date. Many thanks for asking this question!

George Greene Jr. from California PA on April 27, 2013:

Any recipes for Roses? or even Lilies?They are both such pretty smelling flowers!

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on April 27, 2013:

Cheers CozyPozy,

very glad you found useful and it is fun experimenting! Thanks for commenting!

CozyPozy from USA on April 27, 2013:

Wow, Suzie! You make it look so simple & fun.

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on April 27, 2013:

Hi Janet,

You are a super follower! Thanks very much so appreciate your interest. Hopefully your husband may be persuaded to give one of these a try!!

Janet Giessl from Georgia country on April 27, 2013:

Great recipes! I think making your own fragrance and give it to someone special as a gift is a very great idea. My husband doesn't like aftershave but likes fragrances from time to time.

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on April 27, 2013:

Hi Kathryn,

No problem, we all do it at times, not a bother!

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on April 27, 2013:

Hi Bill,

Cheers for that! i loved it too when I saw it!

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on April 27, 2013:

Hi Bill,

No worries, great to hear your thoughts and your support is invaluable. Orange and Lavender are two I love too so I will see what I can do for you in that department!! Good to know your opinions as always! Thanks so much for all your votes and shares, you are a gem! Have a great weekend!

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on April 27, 2013:

Hi George,

Thanks so much for your visit and comment. Yes, I will be doing fragrance for women for sure so keep tuned! Thanks again for your interest!

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on April 27, 2013:

Hi Kathryn,

Terrific to hear you enjoyed this, it is so good to know! Not every man wears Cologne but it does make a cool gift idea for friends or family that do. My own partner inspired me as he has run out of his which I loved so I thought there would definitely be a DIY solution! Appreciate your input and support!

Kathryn from Windsor, Connecticut on April 26, 2013:

Oops, a typo in my comment :( "fragrances", not frangrances.

Bill De Giulio from Massachusetts on April 26, 2013:

Pinned this also, I love that lead photo!

Bill De Giulio from Massachusetts on April 26, 2013:

Hi Suzie. I don't wear cologne either but I did find this very interesting and I'm willing to bet that there are a few million guys out that will be willing to give this a try. I love the use of orange and lavender, two of my favorite fragrances. Who knows, I just may give this a shot now that I'm curious. You are definitely on to something with this topic and I look forward to reading more tips. Voted up, shared, etc.... Great job.

George Greene Jr. from California PA on April 26, 2013:

Great idea! gave me an idea for Father's Day!

Any chance you will be doing a how-to for women's cologne?

Kathryn from Windsor, Connecticut on April 26, 2013:

This is a cool idea! My boyfriend is a little picky about frangrances, and doesn't wear cologne often, but I think I may try it out sometime. It's a wonderful gift idea!

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on April 26, 2013:

Hi Rose,

Glad you enjoyed, we have to look after our men! Appreciate your comments!

Rose Clearfield from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on April 26, 2013:

What a unique gift for men who wear cologne! Love it.

Suzanne Ridgeway (author) from Dublin, Ireland on April 26, 2013:

Hi Carol,

Many thanks for visiting! As you know I am always looking for new and interesting products to make and men's grooming is a natural inclusion. i have been thinking of you my friend, doing your tweaking and have not forgotten about you, rest assured. Appreciate all you do and your friendship. Cheers for your votes, tweet and pin, you are a great support!

Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on April 26, 2013:

Good morning Suzie! I don't wear cologne. Now what? :)

Seriously, you are doing such a great job with this niche. I hope you are seeing an increase in your views and earnings. You deserve it for the fine job you are doing.

Have a great weekend Irish.

bill

carol stanley from Arizona on April 26, 2013:

What fun to learn how to make cologne...I am fascinated with this. Great recipe and as always I do look forward to the next installation. Great job and voting up as well as pinning and tweeting...