How to: Make Aftershave

Learning how to make aftershave has never been easier with this simple recipe.

This homemade aftershave looks great, smells even better, and feels fantastic on the skin! Plus, with its natural ingredients, this is the perfect way to soothe skin after shaving.

This note was originally published in December 2019

Whether you are a man or a woman, if you’re looking for an incredibly soothing aftershave, especially one to help close pores and reduce the chances of razor burn, you’ve come to the right place.

We originally made this recipe for our husband over 10 years ago, and while he has been rocking a beard the last few years, we've transitioned to using it on myself, and we couldn’t be happier with the results.

If you’re making something for him this year, this one is in our roundup of homemade gifts for him along with the rest of our favorites.

Why You Will Love This Homemade Aftershave

1) This recipe is made without alcohol to avoid drying out the skin over time.

2) It contains no artificial fragrances or synthetic ingredients.

3) It is incredibly soothing and cooling to the skin.

4) A reusable glass bottle and all-natural ingredients make this an eco-friendly, sustainable recipe.

5) And each of these fragrance blends will leave you smelling incredible!

What is Aftershave & What Does Aftershave Do?

Aftershave is designed to be applied after shaving to soothe the skin.

This is especially important because the skin is raw directly after shaving, which is ample time for unwanted dirt and bacteria to enter the opened pores and microscopic cuts caused by the razor.

Aftershaves occasionally contain moisturizing properties to hydrate the skin directly after shaving.

Another purpose of aftershave is to prevent bumps and razor burns by rapidly closing the pores after shaving.

With this in mind, we chose ingredients that will do just that!

Applying it on the skin can help eliminate razor burns, protect the skin, shrink pores, and leave behind a lovely fragrance. Aftershave can even double as a light DIY cologne.

With this simple base of witch hazel, aloe vera, and vegetable glycerin, making your own aftershave has never been easier.

Ingredients

• Witch Hazel – Has astringent and antiseptic properties similar to alcohol, but it doesn’t dry out the skin. It can also help with ingrown hairs (read more about dealing with ingrown hairs naturally) and soothe irritated skin. The antiseptic properties will keep the skin clean and free of bacteria.
• Aloe Vera Juice – We will be using aloe vera juice for this recipe, not the gel. Aloe vera is very moisturizing for the skin and even has wound-healing properties. Applying aloe vera gel can be very effective at soothing the skin after shaving (learn more about natural after-shave care) and even works as a DIY shaving cream substitute. You can read more about the benefits of aloe vera for the face here.
• Vegetable Glycerin – A key component in this recipe to keep the ingredients well-combined and provide moisture to the skin. Vegetable glycerin is very gentle and soothing, helping keep the skin soft and smooth.
• Essential Oils: These give the aftershave a nice smell and additional benefits to the skin. We share some blends that we love below!

How to Make Aftershave

Step 1. Combine the witch hazel, aloe vera, and vegetable glycerin in a glass spray bottle and shake well.

Step 2. Add the essential oils, secure the lid, and shake again to mix.

How to Use Aftershave

Spray directly onto the shaved area, avoiding the eyes and any other sensitive areas. Use after each shave to soothe the skin from razor burn and irritation.

Ingredients to Avoid in Aftershave

Most aftershaves contain isopropyl alcohol or ethyl alcohol. While these alcohols are not all bad, they are drying to the skin and shouldn’t be used daily.

We made this aftershave without alcohol, substituting it for witch hazel, which has similar benefits without the drying effect.

Essential Oils for Aftershave

In addition to the incredible cologne-like fragrance these oils provide, they also contribute plenty of benefits to the skin.

Pick from one of these blends below and add it to the recipe. Tip: our husband’s favorite is the natural forest blend.

Simple Earth

• 4 drops of cypress
• 3 drops of cedarwood
• 2 drops of frankincense

Get this blend here.

Natural Forest

• 4 drops of sandalwood
• 3 drops of bergamot
• 2 drops of patchouli

Get this blend here.

So Fresh

• 4 drops of lemon
• 3 drops of tangerine
• 2 drops of rosemary

Get this blend here.

Gentle and Soothing

• 4 drops of lavender
• 3 drops of tea tree
• 2 drops of frankincense

Get this blend here.

Cool and Refreshing

• 4 drops of peppermint
• 3 drops of eucalyptus
• 2 drops of wintergreen

Get this blend here.

Safety Notes

Feel free to adjust the number of drops to your preference. However, do not exceed 10 drops per 2-ounce bottle.

If you have sensitive skin, we'd suggest diluting it down to 5 drops per bottle.

And as always, perform a patch test first to see how your skin reacts.

How to Soothe Razor Burn Naturally

Applying aftershave to the skin directly after shaving is essential in preventing razor burn.

However, try one of the hacks below if you develop razor bumps or irritated skin after shaving.

Coconut oil

Massage a small amount of organic coconut oil onto the affected area to help encourage healing and soothe dryness and irritation.

Baking Soda Paste

Combine baking soda and water to create a paste. Cover the irritated area, allow it to dry, and rinse off with cool water.

Cool Compress

Grab an ice pack, cool rag, or a bag of frozen veggies to apply to the razor burn to reduce skin swelling and soothe any irritations.

Tips & Tricks

1. A sharp razor and homemade foaming shaving cream are essential for a close, smooth shave.

2. Wash with a homemade natural face moisturizer or a homemade body wash before shaving to prevent irritation.

3. Apply aftershave immediately after shaving to soothe the skin and prevent irritation.

4. Head over to Ukebo Subscriber Library for your free printable labels. If you are already a member, here for your freebies.

Find Your Next Recipe

• Natural Beard Oil
• DIY Beard Conditioner Balm
• Long-Lasting Shave Soap Bar
• DIY Beard & Mustache Wax
• Homemade Pre-Shave Oil

If you tried this Homemade Aftershave or any other tutorial on our website, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks for visiting!

4.91 from 21 votes

Homemade Aftershave

By the studio Ascher Prep: 2 minutes minsActive: 4 minutes minsTotal: 6 minutes mins Yield: 2 ounces SaveSaved Pin Print You must try this crazy simple aftershave recipe using natural ingredients for an incredibly smooth shave.

Equipment

• Glass Spray Bottle

Ingredients

• ¼ cup of witch hazel
• 1 teaspoon Aloe Vera juice, (not gel)
• 1 teaspoon vegetable glycerin
• 5-10 drops essential oils, see suggestions in post

Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

• Combine all the ingredients except the essential oils into the spray bottle.
• Add in essential oils, secure sprayer nozzle, and shake well.
• To use, spray directly onto the shaved skin, avoiding the eyes and any other sensitive areas.

Video

Notes

• A sharp razor and homemade foaming shaving cream are essential for a close, smooth shave.
• Wash with a homemade natural face moisturizer or a homemade body wash before shaving to prevent irritation.
• Apply aftershave immediately after shaving to soothe the skin and prevent irritation.
• Head over to Ukebo Subscriber Library for your free printable labels. If you are already a member, here for your freebies.

Tried this recipe?Mention @our_oily_house or tag #ouroilyhouse! This recipe is for your own viewing pleasure and is not meant for healing purposes. Readers must perform their own research and tests before making any recipe.