DIY Bay Rum Aftershave

It can be hard to find a present for that special man in your life. Most “boy toys” are expensive, like snowmobiles, ski’s, new TV’s and even video games. Those price tags can add up fast! So what do you get your husband, your brother or your dad this year that won’t siphon your wallet and they’ll still love? This diy bay rum aftershave is a perfect option!

A fix for itchy, dry skin

My husband has had a beard for almost a year now (and I love it), but it can get scratchy. Until I made him this beard oil that is. Now it’s soft and smells like clove or cedarwood. But for those men who do shave, they don’t want to deal with itchy, dry skin either. Enter this aftershave.

Aftershave is designed to tighten the pores after a shave, but the alcohol can usually dry skin out. And most men aren’t going to follow it up with a moisturizer. This recipe solves that problem with a super secret ingredient. Okay, it’s not really that secret, but it’s still pretty awesome.

Don’t forget to moisturize

Glycerin is great for skin because it draws moisture from deep in the skin and brings it up to the epidermis. You’ll often find it in body care products and even toothpaste. It’s not good for your teeth though, because glycerin doesn’t rinse off easily. This prevents enamel from remineralizing, promoting decay and cavities. I make my own toothpaste without glycerin, fluoride, Sodium Laureth Sulfate or other nasties that you can check out here.

Because glycerin is so good at drawing moisture to the skin’s surface, it needs to be paired with an oil. The two work together to make skin soft and moisturized. (source)

You would think that moisturizing the skin at the same time as you’re toning it would be counterproductive. It’s actually not, as the ingredients all complement each other to keep skin feeling smooth and nourished.

Traditional bay rum recipes steep whole herbs and spices in rum for weeks, until their properties and fragrance are extracted. Unfortunately dried bay leaves don’t leave much of a scent in an extract, and many of us don’t have access to a live bay tree.

A faster way to make bay rum aftershave

I’ve used esssential oils instead, which are natural, powerful and highly effective. Not all oils are created equal though. At first I bought a cheap brand of bay rum to use for this, but as soon as I opened the bottle I knew it was a big mistake. It smelled like straight up chemical solvent! As I dumped it in the sink, the mysterious dark brown liquid left a stain and foul odor that lingered for hours.

From now on I stick with a quality company. I’ve included links in the recipe to brands I trust for quality and safe oils.

Need some bottles for this? I bought some in bulk, but you can also find amber glass containers here.

Bay Rum Aftershave

Ingredients:

•  7.5 oz Witch hazel – get it here
• 1 tsp Glycerin – get it here
• 1 tsp Sweet almond oil – get it here
• 2 Tbsp Spiced rum
• 1 drop bay essential oil
• 1 drop lime essential oil
• 1 drop orange essential oil
• 2 drops cinnamon essential oil
• 2 drops vanilla oleorosin (NOT vanilla extract)
• 2 drops black pepper essential oil
• 1 drop clove essential oil

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients in an 8 oz glass bottle and shake thoroughly to combine.
2. Shake well before each use. Apply a dime or quarter size amount to palms and splash over freshly shaved skin.