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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 post 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.
I originally made this recipe for my husband over 10 years ago, and while he has been rocking a beard the last few years, I’ve transitioned to using it on myself, and I couldn’t be happier with the results.
Table of Contents
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, I 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. I share some blends that I 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.
I 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: My 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, I’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 Our Oily House Subscriber Library for your free printable labels. If you are already a member, click 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 my website, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Homemade Aftershave
Equipment
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
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 Our Oily House Subscriber Library for your free printable labels. If you are already a member, click here for your freebies.
This is beautiful! So The aloe vera juice and witch hazel together is very interesting! I love this recipe and I want to try it. How long will it last in the bottle? I want to follow the exact directions since you’ve made it. I’m sure you know 😁 thank you
Thank you, it will last several months!
Hi,
I know witch hazel, aloe vera juice and essential oils do not mix together, do we need to shake it before each use?
Question: What is the ratio of aloe Vera to witch hazel to vegetable glycerine? Thanks.
Scroll to the very bottom of the post for those details.
Do you have any recommendations for another aloe Vera juice by chance?
You can use any kind of aloe vera juice.
Hi! I’d love to try this recipe out. What if I do not have witch hazel on hand at the moment? Is there something else I could use in place of the witch hazel? Thanks in advance!
thank you… this is just the information I was looking for…
Thank for sharing 😊
I just have questions. How long this after shave last? As the aloe juice contains water, do we need to add a preservative?
Thanks again
It will last for several months. Rosemary essential oil works as a preservative and I always add that one in mine.
What about the actual bottle of Aloe Vera Juice itself? After it’s been opened, how long would it last?
It should have an expiration date on the bottle.
I didn’t quite realize it was something people drink until I looked it up!!
Side question, is there something you can use in place of the Aloe Vera Juice?
You can leave it out if you prefer.
No need, the aloe already has something in it to keep it fresh and same with the witch hazel.
Wow! This is a great idea for my husband, he has had such a hard time finding aftershaves that he can tolerate the smell of. Now he can just make his own!
My husband really loves this one! He tried a lot before too and never cared for them.
Hi I have a question,
you don’t have to shake this formula each time before use? as it contains all water-based ingredients, I know witch hazel and aloe vera juice don’t fully mix with essential oils.