But should you bother making your own aftershave lotion or stick with the store-bought stuff? That’s a good question. Keep reading to find the answer and discover our favorite recipes for DIY aftershave lotion.
Why Make Your Own Aftershave Lotion?
Being able to make your own aftershave lotion is all about control. Popping down to your local supermarket or drugstore to pick up a bottle of aftershave lotion can be easy. Whipping up a batch yourself takes time. So buying aftershave lotion than having to make it yourself can be convenient.
The downside to store-bought lotions is that they are full of chemicals that can dry out your skin and beard. Another thing going against them is the strength of the smell. The fragrance can be overpowering. Something to bear in mind if you don’t want your friends and work colleagues to feel like they are stuck in the perfume section of a department store.
Being able to make aftershave lotion at home allows you to control the ingredients as well as the level of scent it has. It means that you can avoid nasty chemicals and toxins that can damage your skin and beard.
How To Make Aftershave Lotion At Home
It may seem that making your aftershave lotion can be bothersome. After all, you have to go out and buy a bunch of ingredients. Then you need to measure everything out and mix.
However, some recipes we will give you don’t require many components. That’s the great thing about DIY projects; you can make them as simple or as complex as you desire. So, without further ado, test out some of our favorite homemade aftershave lotion ideas.
DIY aftershave lotion
This is an aftershave lotion that uses a minimal among of ingredients. In fact, you probably have some or most of the things required already in your kitchen. It’s an excellent recipe to try out as a starter.
Ingredients
Coconut oil
Witch Hazel
Vitamin E oil
Instructions
Add 1 cup of coconut oil to a bowl and then melt it in the microwave. Mix in ⅓ cup of witch hazel and ⅓ cup of Vitamin E oil. Stir well.
Transfer the lotion to a spray bottle.
Homemade peppermint aftershave lotion
If you are a fan of the refreshing smell of peppermint like we are, then whip up a batch of this lotion. It does require a few items to make. Great for yourself or a great Christmas gift for a bearded man in your life.
Ingredients
Coconut oil
Mineral water (you can swap this out with distilled water)
Witch hazel
Essential oils: Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Tee Tree
Instructions
Melt ¼ cup of coconut oil in the microwave.
Add 1 tablespoon of witch hazel to the oil and mix well.
Slowly add the water to thin out the solution.
Allow everything to cool down slightly, then stir in your essential oils. 5 drops of each oil are enough (of course, you can use more depending on how strong you want the scent to be).
Add ¼ cup of shea butter and 3 tablespoons of candelilla wax into a bowl. Melt these either on your stove or using a microwave. Stir until well mixed.
Stir in ¼ cup of coconut oil, 1 teaspoon of jojoba oil, 1 teaspoon of witch hazel, 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel, and 10 drops of each essential oil. Give everything a good whisk.
Refrigerate for a couple of hours.
Remove your lotion from the fridge and give it another good whisk.
In a bowl mix 1 ounce of aloe vera gel with ¼ tablespoon of vegetable glycerin and ⅛ tablespoon of jojoba oil. Mix well.
Add 10 drops of cedarwood oil and 6 drops of West Indian Bay oil. Stir to combine everything.
Transfer your solution to spray bottles.
Give the bottles a good shake.
Nourishing aftershave spray
Throughout the day your skin and beard can be exposed to damaging environments that suck out moisture. I love to use this aftershave spray to maintain hydration levels so that my beard will continue to look great.
Ingredients
Aloe vera gel
Witch hazel
Lavender hydrosol
Essential oils: Eucalyptus, Peppermint.
Instructions
In a bowl mix 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel, ¼ cup of witch hazel, and 2 tablespoons of lavender hydrosol. Stir well.
Put in 7 drops of eucalyptus oil and 3 drops of peppermint oil.
Pour into a spray bottle.
That’s simple and quick.
Homemade aftershave splash
Here is a splash that you can quickly put on your face to revitalize you on a tiring day. It uses a handful of items, so you could make a batch in no time.
Ingredients
Menthol crystals
190 proof alcohol
Black peppers
Vegetable glycerin
Essential oils: Pine, Bay, Lavender
Instructions
Fill a bottle with the alcohol and then add in ¼ cup of black peppers. Set aside for a couple of weeks to allow the peppers to infuse the alcohol.
Sieve the alcohol into a spray bottle.
Get another container and combine ⅛ teaspoon of vegetable glycerin, ¼ teaspoon of menthol crystals, 18 drops of pine oil, 12 drops of bay oil, and 8 drops of lavender oil.
Add the glycerin/oil solution to your alcohol.
Give the bottle a vigorous shake to mix everything.
DIY aftershave cologne
Colognes are the male version of perfume. Due to the smaller level of essential oils used in colognes, they offer a subtle scent. You can always increase the fragrance by adding more essential oil to your homemade aftershave cologne.
Here is a recipe for you to try.
Ingredients
Vegetable glycerin
Witch hazel
Essential oils: Bergamot, lemon, clove, Siberian fir
Instructions
In a 2-ounce spray bottle, add 2 drops of both bergamot oil, 3 drops of lemon oil, 6 drops of clove oil, and 8 drops of Siberian fir oil. Shake the bottle to mix the oils.
Fill the bottle with witch hazel, then pour in ½ a teaspoon of glycerin.
Place the lid in the bottle and shake it once more.
Enjoy your cologne
How do I use homemade aftershave lotion?
You are proud because you have made some aftershave lotion at home. Now you are staring at the bottle and wondering what’s the best way to use the stuff. For sprays and colognes, you just spray it on your neck or face.
With DIY aftershave lotions, pour some into your hand after you have shaved. Apply it to your face and beard with downward motions working. Start at the cheeks and finish at your jawline.
Can you use DIY aftershave lotions and sprays without shaving
You can use your lotion without the need to shave. If you skip a day’s shaving, you can still quickly splash on some lotion before you head out the door.
Depending on which lotion or spray you have made, you will be providing your face and beard with nourishment or minimizing the irritations caused by sensitive skin.
Wrapping up how to make aftershave lotion at home
Aftershave lotion is lighter on the skin than balms and aftershave gels. Lotions also have a stronger scent, something to be aware of if you aren’t a huge fan of fragrances.
Sprays can be more subtle to use when you are at work or socializing with friends. A moment alone is all that is needed to freshen yourself up.
Making your own aftershave lotions may seem a bother for some, yet it allows you to make something that is unique to you. The essential oils can be tweaked (or left out altogether). That’s the power of a DIY aftershave.
If making aftershave lotion at home seems too difficult for you to tackle. We have rounded up a few of our favorite products below.
These are affiliate links that we get a small cut from, but it does not cost you any more to purchase through our links. Every little bit helps our mission to be a free resource for bearded men everywhere.
Until next time beard brothas! Let me know how your homemade aftershave lotion worked out.
Marvel’s Wolverine (AKA Logan) is iconic for several reasons. This includes his adamantium claws, mutant healing ability, bright yellow and blue costume, fantastic fighting skills,…
