Cologne can be hit or miss. It is a very common gift for men, especially fathers who enjoy wearing cologne or aftershave. Due to personal preference and powerful or varying scents, picking the right cologne can be tricky. Not to mention, most commercial colognes contain synthetic fragrances, which can include carcinogens, respiratory irritants, environmental toxins, and more harmful substances. 

Making your own cologne with all-natural essential oils ensures a product that you can use safely and confidently. Don’t worry, because essential oil colognes will not make you smell awful, or like you just stepped out of a wild animal’s cave. In fact, the cologne recipes in this article may help you smell like freedom, the wild, and volcanos. Well, to each their own regarding the scents!

Some Cologne Notes

It is helpful to understand a few notes before you mix up your essential oil blends. You need to understand fragrance notes, which are divided into three classes: top, middle, and base. The top note is the first scent you notice after application, but it is also the quickest to fade. That leaves you with the next lasting scent, the middle class. Finally, the bass class is the scent that lasts the longest. A general formula is 10-15% for the top note, 25-30% for the middle note, and 55-65% for the base note. You can adjust the ratios any way you please, but that is simply a suggested starting place.

Nightlife

Getting ready to have a night on the town? Apply this gentlemanly blend that has notes of citrus with a perfectly earthy smell of vetiver. Researchers state that the essential oils in this blend help to support immune function and promote positive feelings. The recipe is as follows:

• 3 drops of lemon essential oil (top note)
• 4 drops of cardamom essential oil (middle note)
• 4 drops of ylang ylang essential oil (middle note)
• 6 drops of vetiver essential oil (base note)

Earthy 

Crave the smell of the woods? This simple blend is great to apply for any time of day, as it helps you smell like a flannel-wearing, ax-yielding lumberjack. Frankincense and copaiba are great for reducing stress and anxiety, making this a great workday cologne. The recipe is as follows:

• 4 drops of lemongrass essential oil (top note)
• 6 drops of copaiba essential oil (middle note)
• 8 drops of frankincense essential oil (base note)

Outdoorsy

This is the go-to blend for anyone who loves the outdoors. Because this blend contains cedarwood essential oil, you’ll smell like you lathered yourself in pine trees. Don’t worry, though, because it has a citrusy zest, giving this blend a refreshingly manly scent. This recipe is as follows:

• 3 drops of lemongrass essential oil (top note)
• 3 drops of basil essential oil (middle note)
• 4 drops of cedarwood essential oil (base note)
• 6 drops of Douglas fir essential oil (base note)

Office

Great to wear during the workday, this blend of essential oils has beautiful notes of citrus and the woods. The essential oils help to ground your emotions, balance the mood, stimulate the brain, and promote focus. The recipe is as follows:

• 4 drops of wild orange essential oil (top note)
• 6 drops of sandalwood essential oil (middle note)
• 10 drops of frankincense essential oil (base note)

How To Make DIY Cologne

This is an easy method for a homemade spray cologne using the above essential oil blends. To make the spray cologne, use a glass spray bottle, the essential oils, vegetable glycerin, and witch hazel. 

Instructions:

• In a two-ounce glass spray bottle, combine the essential oils and 1/2 tsp of vegetable glycerin.
• Top off the rest of the bottle with witch hazel, screw on the top, and shake well. 
• Spray on the chest, wrist, or neck when ready to use and make sure to shake before each use.

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Even though they may not be as expensive or fancy, handmade gifts tend to mean more than those bought in the store. Obviously, a homemade sugar scrub is not the same as a brand new laptop, but top-tier electronics are not always in the budget. Perhaps the laptop is in the budget, but you want to give a lot of gifts to friends, colleagues, and family. A great way to do that is by making your own beauty gifts. 

Heartfelt, homemade gifts always put a smile on the gift receiver’s face. It’s a beautiful gesture and people appreciate the time you took to make them something. The great thing about homemade sugar scrubs, bath bombs, soaps, or lotions is that you can make large batches and portion them out into small containers. Decorate the containers to your liking! You can even adhere labels on them that detail the ingredients or instructions to whatever you make. 

Since dry skin is very common during the winter, there are several DIY beauty recipes in this article that help moisturize the skin. There’s nothing wrong with giving a gift that improves skin health! Your gifts may be so well received that you have some repeat customers the following year. Or maybe you share the recipe(s) with your friends and family so they can enjoy the products year round. 

We wish you all a wonderful holiday season and hope these gifts go over well, should you decide to make and gift them. They are perfect for anyone on a budget, and the best part is that they are free of harmful chemicals. Let us know in the comments if you make one of the recipes, and if the people enjoy them as gifts!

Soothing DIY Lavender Oatmeal Bath Bombs

Release all the tension in your body and hydrate your skin in a relaxing soak with these DIY lavender oatmeal bath bombs. 

Click here to make the bath bomb. 

DIY Peppermint Sugar Scrub

Not only is this peppermint sugar scrub easy to make and beneficial for the skin, but it also utilizes some of the best scents of the holiday season.

Click here to make the sugar scrub. 

DIY Beard Oils With An Essential Oil Blend

Do you know someone with a beard? Help them get rid of any itchiness or dryness by gifting them this DIY all-natural beard oil. It’ll tame that mane!

Click here to make the beard oil. 

DIY Mint Foot Butter For Softer Feet

Nourish your feet, freshen them up, decrease cracked heels, and get rid of unpleasant odors by applying this DIY mint foot butter. People will notice the different after only a couple applications!

Click here to make the foot butter. 

DIY Under Eye Cream For Dark Circles

Do you want to help someone tighten their skin, reduce puffiness, and reduce wrinkles with 3 ingredients? Make this all-natural DIY under eye cream and people will love it!

Click here to make the eye cream.

DIY Aftershave Made With Essential Oils

Don’t let your male friends or family members plague their skin with the chemicals in personal care products after they shave. Instead, help them soothe their skin with this DIY aftershave.

Click here to make the aftershave.

DIY Apple Spice Sugar Scrub

Slather on a big dollop of this apple spice sugar scrub on the skin for maximum hydration, exfoliation, and moisture during dryer weather.

Click here to make the sugar scrub.

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The beard care industry is booming and more guys continue to make the switch from shaving to manicuring and encouraging a healthy beard. There are oils, washes, rinses, shampoos, conditioners, and wax that keep beards looking as healthy and stylish as possible. What if some of these products aren’t as beneficial as you think they are? As it turns out, many of these products, especially the ones that promise hydration, may not do their job at all. 

Beard oils can cost a fortune, which is strange considering that the ingredients are not incredibly expensive. Since it’s very easy to mix oils together in a bottle, save a little money and make your own beard oil. When you make your own oil blend, you know exactly what goes into the recipe. You don’t have to worry about potential sulfates or parabens that come in many beard products. 

Why Should You Use Beard Oil?

Men are prideful of their beards, as they should be. They style them, making them appear silky and luxurious for all to see. Unfortunately, men don’t spend as much time caring for the skin underneath their beards. Beard itch is a common problem for men and it results in a lot of scratching and “beardruff,” the unofficial term for beard dandruff. Most men don’t realize that beards remove moisture from the skin, so it’s important to bring it back. That’s why using a beard oil is necessary for optimal beard health. Not only does it help to soften the beard, but it also works to bring moisture back to relieve itching. The ingredients below are great for providing your beard with moisture.

Jojoba Oil

Jojoba oil is great for the skin and hair, working to reduce breakage and enhance overall hair strength. This can encourage a healthier, stronger-looking beard. Jojoba oil also works to reduce sebum build-up on the skin, which can actually discourage beard growth. Massaging jojoba oil into the beard and skin can allow more flow to the skin for consistent growth. It also acts as a natural moisturizer, helping the skin retain moisture for a long time. By increasing moisture and reducing sebum build-up, you may experience fewer blackheads or breakouts under the beard. 

Grapeseed Oil

This is a plant-based oil that is a byproduct of winemaking. It’s one of the best oils for keeping the beard as healthy as possible. Grapeseed oil contains beta-carotene, omega-6 fatty acids, palmitic acid, antioxidants, linoleic acid, and oleic acid. All of these nutrients contribute to healthier hair follicles, which may enhance beard growth. Additionally, grapeseed oil hydrates the skin under the beard, which reduces the risk of beardruff or dry, flaky skin. 

Shea Butter

If you want to naturally soften your beard, shea butter is the ingredient to accomplish that goal. Shea butter is naturally rich in vitamins, A, E, and F, all of which aid collagen production and healthier skin. The greatest thing about shea butter is that it keeps the skin under the beard moisturized and hydrated. When the skin under the beard is replete with moisture, you reduce the risk of dryness and itchiness. Lastly, shea butter helps to reduce inflammation under the beard, which promotes less hair breakage and unhealthy hair follicles. 

DIY Beard Oil

Ingredients:

• 1 gram shea butter
• 64 grams jojoba oil
• 32 grams grapeseed oil
• 10 drops lavender essential oil
• 4 drops peppermint essential oil
• 6 drops bergamot essential oil
• 4 drops black pepper essential oil

Instructions:

• Warm the shea butter and jojoba oil in a double boiler over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally until fully melted and incorporated. 
• Remove the mixture from the heat and pour in the grapeseed oil and essential oils. It’s a soothing scent blend. 
• Should you want to have this beard oil be scent-less, simply exclude the essential oils. 
• Pour the mixture into a small glass bottle with a little dropper top. This will make access to the oil and application much easier. 
• When ready to use, pour a few drops in your hand, massage the hands together, and then massage the beard evenly. 
• Store the bottle in a cool, dry place. 

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Some men despise shaving and let their facial hair grow wild. Others prefer a cleaner look, grooming their beards to a specific shape and length. Finally, there are those who relish in the moment after a close shave. The smooth skin is clean and fresh, but what are guys doing to nourish their post-shave skin? It doesn’t have to be an elaborate routine; rather, applying a simple DIY aftershave can do the trick.

What Is Aftershave?

Just as the name suggests, aftershave is something to treat your skin after you shave. Some guys enjoy the refreshing scent, but what are the real benefits? Well, that all depends on what comprises the aftershave. For the most part, alcohol-based aftershaves act like facial sanitizers, cleaning the tiny cuts on the epidermis post-shave. Most aftershaves contain isopropyl alcohol, which kills bacteria that potentially inhabit those little cuts. However, alcohol-based aftershaves can have harmful effects on the skin. 

It’s often better to nourish the skin with carrier oils and essential oils after you shave. Great natural moisturizers include sweet almond oil, aloe vera gel, coconut oil, and jojoba oil. These ingredients help to reduce itching, potential swelling, ingrown hairs, clogged pores, or follicle inflammation. It’s better to use an aftershave that contains those ingredients. That’s why you clicked on this article, hopefully. 

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is a superstar for your skin, no matter if you have a sunburn, small wound, or freshly shaven skin. It encourages cell reproduction, working to regenerate and heal the skin without intense scarring. If the goal after you shave is to have the smoothest skin ever, aloe vera should be your go-to ingredient. Not only does it help to minimize the risk of acne, but it is also excellent for sensitive skin that’s prone to razor bumps. 

Peppermint Essential Oil

Peppermint essential oil offers a very soothing and sinus-cleansing aroma, but that’s not why it’s in this aftershave recipe. The essential oil is naturally rich in antiseptic properties, vitamin A, vitamin C, and omega-3 fatty acids. It helps to decrease inflammation and offers a cooling sensation that invigorates the skin when you apply it after shaving. Because of the antiseptic properties, peppermint essential oil helps reduce the risk of razor burns or rashes.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is well known for its myriad health benefits. It works to moisturize the skin, cleanse pores, and remove bad odors. It’s also beneficial to use after shaving because it helps prevent and even treat razor-related injuries. Tea tree oil helps to alleviate irritation after shaving because it is a natural astringent. Additionally, it helps remedy little nicks that occur as a natural result of shaving with a razor.

DIY Peppermint Tea Tree Aftershave

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup witch hazel
• 1 tablespoon vegetable glycerin
• 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel
• 2 tablespoons filtered water
• 10 drops peppermint essential oil
• 10 drops tea tree essential oil

Instructions:

• Procure a four-ounce spray bottle and pour all of the ingredients into it. 
• Shake the bottle vigorously to combine. 
• Before each use, shake well and then spritz one or two sprays on your face after shaving. You can let it air dry or pat your face with a towel.

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A switch is often necessary to improve your health. This can translate to a dietary shift that improves your health, an exercise shift that leads to bigger gains, or a skin care shift that enhances the appearance of your skin. In the case of the latter, the shift to natural skin care recipes can elevate your skin from dull and dry to hydrated and revived. 

When it comes to shaving, there are many techniques to achieve a perfectly close shave. Some people have no rhyme or reason to the way they slick the hair away, while others have a procedure dialed in. However you shave is entirely up to you, and so is your post-shave routine. Let us make one little suggestion, though: use the natural aftershave in this article if you want silky smooth skin. 

What Does Aftershave Do?

Aftershave is considered to be any type of oil, gel, liquid, or lotion that you put on the skin after shaving. Many people consider the application of aftershave to be a ritual, but how it affects the skin is different for everyone. Chemical aftershaves can cause irritation, while aftershaves with natural ingredients can reduce itching or swelling, establish smoother skin, or reduce the appearance of razor bumps. The right aftershave can even promote regrowth of skin tissue or prevent hair follicle inflammation. The aftershave in this article soothes the skin because of the following ingredients.

Frankincense Essential Oil

Can we be frank about this essential oil? Don’t be incensed about that question! Bad jokes aside, frankincense essential oil is beneficial for both skin care and aromatherapy. Spruce up your skin to liven it up and make it feel rejuvenated with frankincense essential oil. Post-shave skin can be dry, but frankincense oil can leave it feeling fresh and hydrated. 

Witch Hazel

Before you use witch hazel, consider reading the potential side effects and which skin types are more prone to reactions. Witch hazel is an excellent ingredient that may help reduce inflammation or ease irritation on the skin. When it comes to burns or sensitive skin, which is common after shaving, which hazel works to helps to soothe the skin and provide a cooling relief. 

Vitamin E Oil

Vitamin E oil contains a group of fat-soluble vitamins that have powerful antioxidant effects. You can mix this oil with other ingredients, but you can also apply it directly to the skin. This oil works to moisturize dry or flaky skin, and it also helps to reduce itching, which is common after shaving. If you are prone to razor burn or razor bumps, vitamin E oil can help calm the inflammation and help you avoid potential scarring. 

Sandalwood Essential Oil

Besides having an enchanting aroma, sandalwood essential oil has incredible hydrating properties. It actually replenishes the epidermis with moisture because it is an emollient, meaning it penetrates the skin deeply to help it retain moisture. Sandalwood essential oil also helps renew complexion, and can even help reduce irritation or inflammation.

DIY Aftershave

Ingredients:

• 1 ounce witch hazel
• 1/2 teaspoon almond oil
• 1/2 teaspoon vegetable glycerine
• 3 drops vitamin E oil
• 8 drops sandalwood essential oil
• 4 drops frankincense essential oil

Instructions:

• Add all of the ingredients to an empty two-ounce bottle. Fill the rest of the bottle with distilled water. 
• Screw on the lid and shake vigorously to combine the ingredients. It’s now ready to use.
• Make sure to shake it up before each use. Place a small amount in the center of your palm, rub your hands together, and apply to freshly shaven skin. 

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That sharp, prickly plant that grows in the driest and harshest conditions, appearing as if it’s something that could be used as a weapon rather than a lifesaver, is packed with medicinal benefits. Today, aloe vera has become a household name, but unbeknownst to many it can be used for much more than a simple skin moisturizer or sunburn remedy. The best part is that we’ve yet to reach the apex of the plant’s true potential.

What Is Aloe Vera?

Aloe vera has been referred to as “the wonder plant,” and for good reason. Aloe is a genus that contains more than 500 species of flowering succulents, lots of which are prevalent in North Africa. Aloe vera has been used for centuries; in fact, the earliest account of human use for aloe vera is documented in the Ebers Papyrus. This Egyptian manual documents aloe vera being used therapeutically on the skin, and it was referred to as “the plant of immortality.” Aloe vera’s gel is cultivated worldwide for the countless medicinal benefits. It can also be used to replace common items found in most medicine cabinets, and you can learn more about that below.

Mouthwash

Most people are unaware of the dangers of using conventional mouthwash. The reason for this is because these dangers aren’t showcased. Why would they be? You may not know about them until a regular doctor’s visit leaves you wondering, “How the heck did I develop oral cancer? I brush everyday, and I even use…mouthwash.”

Not only does mouthwash mask bad breath and fight cavities, but it also kills the healthy bacteria in your mouth to make the mouth dry, which is, interestingly enough, one of the main reasons for halitosis. The constant swishing and gargling of mouthwash, which was initially developed as a surgical antiseptic, irritates the soft tissue in the mouth.

Aloe vera very is a safe and effective alternative to conventional mouthwash, given that it contains anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It works to kill fungi, bacteria, and viruses and provide strong, healthy gums. Aloe vera may help reverse the effects of gingivitis and periodontal disease. Since it is natural and non-toxic, there’s no need to fret if you accidentally swallow it.

Laxative Remedy

Just a few sips of aloe vera juice can help soothe your digestive problems. The naturally occurring anthraquinones in aloe vera gel can ease stomach congestion, remedy ulcers, and improve prostate health. Just add one or two tablespoons of 100% pure aloe vera juice to your morning smoothie or juice blend every day for some much needed digestive assistance.

Aftershave

Depending on the person and shaving technique, shaving the hair off your sensitive skin can sometimes result in razor bumps. The cool moisturizing properties of aloe vera can help reduce inflammation and close pores. It also helps relieve itchy or irritated skin, along with ingrown hairs. If you are attempting to make a transition to use more natural plant-based products, aloe vera is the most cost-effective option out there for aftershaves. Simply apply some fresh aloe vera onto the area of skin that you shaved, let it sit for 5-10 minutes, and rinse with cold water.

Rash/Eczema Cream

People with eczema or other skin rashes can be prescribed various creams, which are commonly infused with “natural botanicals.” Those botanicals are usually mixed with unnatural fragrances that can worsen your skin condition. Cut out the fillers and get the full effects of the botanicals by using fresh aloe vera, which has been known to relieve the itchy, swelling, and burning sensation that comes with eczema and other types of rashes. Use it twice a day on the effected area for the best results.

Makeup Remover

Conventional makeup removers have high amounts of alcohol, and using them can dry out the skin. Oil-based removers might clog your pores, depending on the sensitivity of your skin. There’s no need to clog pores or dry out the skin when aloe vera offers the same results without the side effects. Just add a few drops of aloe vera juice to a cotton pad and wipe the blush, foundation, or mascara off your face.

Athlete’s Foot Remedy

Aloe Vera is packed with disinfecting properties, which can help kill the bacteria that cause athlete’s foot. The concentrated minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants in Aloe Vera help fight and prevent foot fungi, while simultaneously moisturizing cracked heels and toes.

Psoriasis Treatment

Not enough can be said about this plant’s ability to soothe the skin. The lubricating agent in aloe vera is known to help combat psoriasis flare-ups, keeping the skin hydrated and moisturized. Just apply a decent amount of the gel to the affected area several times a day to help relieve the discomfort and dryness that comes with the condition. Even creams that contain aloe have been proven to work better than those without it, but why buy creams when you can use the original source?

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