The Best Patchouli Cologne Recipe with Clean Ingredients

Discover this amazing DIY patchouli cologne recipe for a soothing, masculine aroma. Perfect for gifting! This one’s for those who love woodsy, earthy vibes.

Ah, patchouli! Definitely one of my favorites.

Anything with patchouli makes for a better day ahead. That wonderful woodsy scent promotes harmony and gives you a boost right when you need it.

As a side note, this is why I love patchouli as a home fragrance. As much as I love the sweet scents, I do love the aroma that patchouli puts off.

What with being run off my feet with the kids needing me left, right, and center, a patchouli scent keeps me grounded and level-headed.

Patchouli is one of those essential oils that works great on men, too. And it makes for an excellent aftershave fragrance.

Why not dive into the patchouli recipe in this post? It’s an easy-to-make patchouli cologne spray. 

Your man will love it (plus it makes a beautiful homemade gift for the season ahead – just as an idea!)

Why you will love this recipe

• It smells amazing: After all – isn’t that why cologne is so popular? That lovely, subtle scent lasts for ages and makes clothes smell great in the same hit.
• It’s easy to make: Combine the ingredients together, mix well, and store in a suitable glass bottle for months’ worth of smelling like a boss!
• It lasts ages: I say ages from the longevity perspective, so long as it’s stored correctly. But of course, if you use it all the time, you’ll run out before too long. In which case, make up a fresh batch! 

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Patchouli cologne recipe

Follow the instructions below for your very own DIY cologne spray.

Ingredients:

• Witch hazel 0.75 ounces
• Vegetable glycerin 0.10 ounces
• Patchouli essential oil 15 drops
• Cypress essential oil 10 drops
• Cedarwood essential oil 5 drops

Instructions: (see step-by-step images below)

1. First, measure out the witch hazel and vegetable glycerin. These two ingredients will act as the base for your cologne spray. 
2. Add 15 drops of patchouli essential oil to the mixture. 
3. Next, add 10 drops of cypress essential oil. 
4. Finally, add 5 drops of cedarwood essential oil to the mixture.
5. Once all the essential oils have been added, stir the cologne well to distribute the ingredients evenly. You can use a small whisk or a spoon for this step.
6. Pour the cologne into a small, dark glass bottle with a lid or stopper on the top to help preserve the fragrance.

Top tip #1: This cologne is ready to use immediately. However, you will notice the witch hazel scent for a few seconds after applying it for the first few days.

After a few days, the fragrance oils fully take over, and you will not notice the witch hazel at all.

Top tip #2: Shake well before each use for best results.

Where to apply cologne (tips for men)

The neck area is the best place to apply cologne, ensuring the scent will waft nicely as you walk.

Usually, fragrances are applied to pulse points, which include the wrists, chest, and, believe it or not, behind the knees and ankles.

However, I tend to stick to the wrists and neck when I use perfume. My husband does the exact same with his cologne, using it after shaving and showering.

Can you turn this recipe into a roll-on cologne

Yes! And it’s easy to do!

All you need is to switch out the witch hazel and vegetable glycerin for a carrier oil of your choice.

I recommend either almond oil or fractionated coconut oil as some suggestions, then top up with the fragrance oil.

Pop the rollerball top on, screw the lid on tight and shake. It’s ready to use.

How is cologne different from perfume?

The key difference between a cologne and a perfume is the water content of the two. Cologne has more water and fewer fragrance oils ratio-wise than perfume does, perfume being the one with more oils.

This makes perfume much stronger and more potent in fragrance, and the scent typically would last longer on the skin.

Saying that – sometimes you don’t want an overpowering scent. 

Sometimes, you want a subtle, evocative scent that stays with you throughout the day but doesn’t knock people flat when they come in contact with you.

In this case, cologne is your best option. It’s stronger than a homemade body spray but less intense than a homemade perfume.

I also ought to add that cologne traditionally is a men’s fragrance, and perfume is more so used by women.

But these days, many fragrances are unisex, so it’s up to the user to choose which they prefer to use!

Fragrance notes 

Patchouli: This is a natural, musky scent with an earthy aroma. This is most definitely a base note and will last all day as a subtle fragrance from the cologne.

Cypress: As a middle note, Cypress blends perfectly with patchouli with an uplifting scent.

Cedarwood: Cedarwood is a wonderful essential oil, normally used as a base note, but due to its almost sweet, evergreen tree scent, it works great in this blend with Cypress and Patchouli.

Cologne is perfect for…

• Christmas gifts! This cologne in a cute bottle would make a wonderful gift. There’s just something about homemade gifts, you know!
• Date night! Get your man to splash on some cologne before taking you for dinner. He’s sure to love it as much as you do!
• Work meetings! There’s nothing worse in a stuffy meeting room than that one person with overpowering perfume (we’ve all been there…). Instead, encourage your better half to opt for a cologne, pleasing his workmates simultaneously (I would think!)
• Sunday mornings! Spruce up a weekend at home by spritzing on this gorgeous cologne spray and filling the house with that warming fragrance.

FAQs

How do you store this cologne?

This cologne stores well with the lid on if you keep it away from sunlight and heat sources. It may even last up to a year if sealed properly – but I expect you’ll use it up before then!

How many sprays of cologne should you use?

I recommend a generous amount each time you use it, but not enough to drench your clothes, let’s say! Around 3-5 spritzes should suffice.

How long does the scent last for?

The scent from this patchouli cologne will last throughout the day, though you will notice it starting to fade after a few hours.

What you will notice is the deep aroma of the cedarwood picking up and being balanced out by the patchouli oil. It’s a beautiful combination that seems to last the rest of the day.

Of course, if you want the scent to be stronger on your skin, simply top it up with another spritz.

Can I change the fragrance blend?

Yes! You can. By all means, get creative and substitute the essential oils for a cologne scent of your choice.

Here are some blends you might like to try:

I have used a similar blend in my solid perfume recipe in the past, but instead of cedarwood, I used jasmine! A beautiful floral scent.

Summary

So there you have it! A wonderful patchouli cologne spray for either yourself or the man in your life.

I hope you love making this recipe as much as I enjoy sharing it with you.

If you made this recipe, I’d love for you to leave a review below so I know how you liked it!