Diluting EDT or EDC into aftershave

[gpjoe]

Anyone done this?...taken EDT or EDC and diluted it to create an aftershave? Did you just add water?...alcohol?...both?

I've got an inexpensive bottle of a Polo green homage and would like to dilute it for use as an AS, with the scent only lingering for a short time.

 

[silverlifter]

I'd add it to Witch hazel; otherwise it would be pretty harsh on freshly shaved skin.

 

[TinkersDam]

Either distilled water or perfumer's alcohol should each work, depending on whether you want a higher or lower alcohol content. If using distilled water, you may need to shake it before each use.

 

[gpjoe]

I'd add it to Witch hazel; otherwise it would be pretty harsh on freshly shaved skin.

I like a bit of feedback, but I'm also intrigued by the addition of witch hazel. I may add a bit of WH and a dash of alcohol.

Either distilled water or perfumer's alcohol should each work, depending on whether you want a higher or lower alcohol content. If using distilled water, you may need to shake it before each use.

Can't use isopropyl alcohol?...too harsh?

 

[TinkersDam]

Can't use isopropyl alcohol?

This is not something one would want to do!
However, vodka might work well.

 

[gpjoe]

This is not something one would want to do!

Well, I thought it was intended, and safe for external use and figured it would be OK...so I'm wondering why you advise against it? Would the burn be too intense on freshly shaved skin?

However, vodka might work well.

I have vodka and everclear that I use to clean my tobacco pipes.

 

[TinkersDam]

Well, I thought it was intended, and safe for external use and figured it would be OK...so I'm wondering why you advise against it? Would the burn be too intense on freshly shaved skin?

I have vodka and everclear that I use to clean my tobacco pipes.

I am not a perfume or frag maker, so I don't know the specifics. But, I've read a few perfume making sites which warn against using iso alcohol. I've also seen several recipes that use either vodka or Everclear in place of perfumer's alcohol.

 

[Virgil Sollozzo]

Anyone done this?...taken EDT or EDC and diluted it to create an aftershave? Did you just add water?...alcohol?...both?

I've got an inexpensive bottle of a Polo green homage and would like to dilute it for use as an AS, with the scent only lingering for a short time.

Yes I do. I got a bottle of TOBS Sandalwood Cologne - far too strong for me. I leave my hands nice and wet and spray about 4x into one wet hand, rub together and then apply to face like an aftershave. It is still strong but much more tolerable. Next time I do it I'm going to do only 2 or 3 sprays. This little bottle is going to outlast me.

 

[Darth Scandalous]

Iso has slightly more inherent, unpleasant scent. It's possible that it absorbs into skin more easily, I can't recall if I read that somewhere. But Everclear works great. Perfumer's alcohol is just ethanol with a bitterant or other chemicals added to make it unfit for drinking, so no beverage tax. But with shipping it usually tends to come out as a wash unless you buy perfumer's alcohol by the gallon.

Depending on how strong the fragrance is, you may not need to use very much to make an aftershave-level scent. And you can experiment with witch hazel or a glycerin too (a little goes a long way with glycerin, be warned). I would suggest aiming for around 60-70% alcohol to start, you can adjust depending on how much burn you like.

 

[NorthernSoul]

It's possible, but I'd suggest using a light splash-type cologne for fragrance rather than something really concentrated. Those are made to smell good when diluted.

Perfumer's alcohol is basically a high-proof low-odor ethyl alcohol with some skin-safe denaturing agents added so it can't be used as beverage alcohol. For DIY, you could use grain alcohol if it has a neutral smell. Don't use other alcohol like isopropyl.

A typical alcoholic aftershave is around 60% alcohol with the balance being distilled water, skin conditioning agents and fragrance. Proraso Green and Speick both contain witch hazel as a part of formula.

Some examples of splash type colognes would be Puig Agua Lavanda, Heno de Pravia, Turkish kolonya with a citrus scent, etc.

 

[gpjoe]

Iso has slightly more inherent, unpleasant scent. It's possible that it absorbs into skin more easily, I can't recall if I read that somewhere. But Everclear works great. Perfumer's alcohol is just ethanol with a bitterant or other chemicals added to make it unfit for drinking, so no beverage tax. But with shipping it usually tends to come out as a wash unless you buy perfumer's alcohol by the gallon.

Depending on how strong the fragrance is, you may not need to use very much to make an aftershave-level scent. And you can experiment with witch hazel or a glycerin too (a little goes a long way with glycerin, be warned). I would suggest aiming for around 60-70% alcohol to start, you can adjust depending on how much burn you like.

Great info, thanks.

I'll experiment a bit, adding some alcohol and distilled water or witch hazel. I have some vegetable glycerin that I use for my homemade vape juice but don't plan to use any...I prefer a dryer aftershave.

 

[gpjoe]

It's possible, but I'd suggest using a light splash-type cologne for fragrance rather than something really concentrated. Those are made to smell good when diluted.

Perfumer's alcohol is basically a high-proof low-odor ethyl alcohol with some skin-safe denaturing agents added so it can't be used as beverage alcohol. For DIY, you could use grain alcohol if it has a neutral smell. Don't use other alcohol like isopropyl.

A typical alcoholic aftershave is around 60% alcohol with the balance being distilled water, skin conditioning agents and fragrance. Proraso Green and Speick both contain witch hazel as a part of formula.

Some examples of splash type colognes would be Puig Agua Lavanda, Heno de Pravia, Turkish kolonya with a citrus scent, etc.

Thanks.

 

[gpjoe]

I am not a perfume or frag maker, so I don't know the specifics. But, I've read a few perfume making sites which warn against using iso alcohol. I've also seen several recipes that use either vodka or Everclear in place of perfumer's alcohol.

Then vodka or everclear it shall be.

 

[helicopter]

I would use French vodka from Sam's or Costco if you have one up there, and witch hazel as a base.

Edit: the French one smells a little more.neutral. tito would be good too.

I would probably start with witch hazel, add vodka until the feedback is how you want, and then add fragrance until performance is how you want.

You could also add some menthol, aloe, or whatever else.

 

[gpjoe]

I would use French vodka from Sam's or Costco if you have one up there, and witch hazel as a base.

Edit: the French one smells a little more.neutral. tito would be good too.

I would probably start with witch hazel, add vodka until the feedback is how you want, and then add fragrance until performance is how you want.

You could also add some menthol, aloe, or whatever else.

That's the plan, to mix small amounts slowly with some testing in between.

 

[NorthernSoul]

That's the plan, to mix small amounts slowly with some testing in between.

You don't necessarily need a lot of witch hazel. Some is OK, but It can be drying to the skin. If you add water, make sure it is the distilled kind. That helps avoid the mix going cloudy.

Menthol, if you like it, can be with menthol crystals which can be dissolved in alcohol. Then, add a few drops of menthol solution at a time so you don't go too far with the menthol.

Watch out with the vegetable glycerin, if you use it. It can make things sticky. Speick does not use glycerin. They use sorbitol and manitol as humectants, IIRC.

 

[helicopter]

...

Watch out with the vegetable glycerin, if you use it. It can make things sticky. ...

I wonder if that's why PAA splashes feel sticky to me. They contain that, and an ingredient called "liquid silk."

 

[swellcat]

Anyone done this?...taken EDT or EDC and diluted it to create an aftershave?

Yes: Azzaro Pour Homme Aftershave from Eau de Toilette

The objection to isopropyl alcohol is scent-interference.

 

[NorthernSoul]

The objection to isopropyl alcohol is scent-interference.

There's that, but other reasons, also.

Isopropyl fumes can be rather irritating to the eyes. Ethyl alcohol is supposed to be gentler on the skin. There is less sting with ethyl when used as an aftershave.

Though they are chemically related, isopropyl is usually made from petrochemicals. Grain alcohol is produced by yeasts during fermentation. That may matter to some people.

 

[NorthernSoul]

I wonder if that's why PAA splashes feel sticky to me. They contain that, and an ingredient called "liquid silk."

I've not tried those particular aftershaves. I have a few with a generous amount of glycerin, though (like Epsilon Blue). What worked well for me was to leave face and hands wet, use less aftershave and apply by tapping with the fingers. This way, you do not slather on a thick layer of aftershave and it sinks in pretty quickly.

I'd like to make a DIY version of Speick at some point. I really like the way that one performs, but the price has gotten ridiculous and you can't buy a larger size.