How to Make a Perfume from Essential Oils
Creating your own perfume with essential oils sounds simple—and in theory, it is. But if you’ve ever tried and ended up with something too weak, too greasy, or just plain off... you’re not alone.
Here’s how to make an essential oil perfume that actually smells good—and reasons why you might want to skip the DIY and try one that’s already expertly blended.
What You’ll Need
- Essential oils – Choose 3 to 5 that blend well together (see tips below)
- Carrier oil – Jojoba oil is ideal: non-greasy, long shelf life, and absorbs well into skin
- Rollerball bottle – Typically 5ml or 10ml glass bottles with a steel or plastic roller top
- Pipettes or droppers – To measure and control your blending ratios accurately
Why You Need a Carrier Oil
Essential oils are highly concentrated and should never be applied directly to your skin undiluted. Carrier oils—like jojoba or fractionated coconut oil—help dilute the essential oils safely, improve absorption, and prevent irritation. They also help the scent last longer on your skin.
Basic Perfume Structure
For a balanced scent that unfolds beautifully as you wear it, try this general guideline:
- Top notes: 30% – These are your first impression (like citrus, mint, or lavender)
- Middle notes: 50% – These form the heart of your perfume (florals, herbs, spices)
- Base notes: 20% – These add richness and depth (woods, resins, vanilla)
Use around 60 drops of essential oils per 10ml of carrier oil for a stronger scent. This concentration level is often called “Parfum,” which is the most concentrated form of perfume:
- Parfum: ~20% essential oils (longest lasting)
- Eau de Parfum: ~12% oils
- Eau de Toilette: ~7% oils
- Cologne: ~2% oils (very light)
To blend: Add your chosen essential oils directly into the roller bottle using pipettes, then top off with carrier oil. Snap the rollerball into place, shake gently, and let it rest for 48+ hours so the scent can meld.
Tip: Use the internet to search for lists of popular top, middle, and base notes—or even ask an AI to help you pick a great combination!
Sunlight Warning
Important: Some essential oils can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. This is called phototoxicity, and it can lead to redness or discoloration or even burns when those oils are applied before sun exposure.
Common phototoxic essential oils include Bergamot (unless labeled “bergapten-free”), Lemon (cold-pressed), Lime (cold-pressed), Grapefruit, Bitter orange, Cumin, Rue, Tagetes (Marigold)
If using any of these, apply to areas not exposed to sun—or consider choosing alternatives.
Common DIY Problems
- Too oily: The wrong carrier oil can feel greasy or heavy on your skin
- Weak scent: Low oil concentration or imbalanced blending ratios
- Strange aroma: Some oils clash or overpower others when combined
That’s because essential oil blending is part science, part art. Even natural ingredients can fight each other if the balance isn’t right.
Prefer to Skip the Guesswork?
At Island Deodorant, we make ready-to-wear essential oil perfumes that are expertly blended, beautifully balanced, and concentrated enough to last—thanks to our 20% essential oil formula in a silky base of organic jojoba oil.
They’re smooth, non-greasy, and perfect for layering to create your own custom scent—without the trial and error.