Men's Health

A big part of health is self-care. If you are well presented and look your best, then you will likely feel your best too. Let’s face it—after a long journey or a hard day of manual labor, there’s nothing more satisfying than a shower, a shave, and some fresh clothes. The self-esteem boost of looking and feeling good is something that a lot of men (and women) overlook. In many cases, a bit of pampering can go a long way.


Cologne to Help You Face the Day

The value of a good cologne should not be underestimated. The link between body odor and attractiveness is well-studied, and researchers have even found a link between a person’s perception of themselves and their fragrance of choice. Improving physical attractiveness can help promote self-esteem, and the fragrance that you choose is an important part of this.

While there are numerous off-the-shelf fragrances that people can use, there is a lot to be said for making your own cologne. You could save a lot of money doing so, and it’s a great way to make a fragrance that is uniquely you—that makes you feel good. Additionally, if you choose to make a cologne using essential oils, many of these oils have added benefits. This doubles the level of self-care that a cologne could typically provide.

Making Cologne with Essential Oils

If you decide to make a cologne with essential oils, then the first thing that you should be aware of is that essential oils are quite volatile and also very strong. They are not, for the most part, designed to be applied directly to the skin. Indeed, if you do put them on your skin directly, then they could irritate it.

To avoid the risk of this happening, you should dilute the essential oil with a carrier oil. This is a milder, more gentle oil that will help slow the rate at which the essential oil is absorbed into the skin. Some of the most popular carrier oils include almond, coconut, or jojoba oils.

Choosing Essential Oils

There are many essential oils which are suitable for use in cologne but some are more common than others. Popular oils for men’s colognes include bergamot, cedarwood, sandalwood, basil, cinnamon, and black pepper essential oils. These oils have some commonalities in that they are all refreshing, stimulating, and earthy.

The Anatomy of a Good Scent

Usually, a cologne will have more than one ingredient in it. Scents are made up of a top note, which you notice first; a middle note, which comes later; and a longer-lasting base note. While you are not obliged to use multiple ingredients in your homemade cologne, it is a good idea to mix and match to create something with a decent level of complexity to it. A good rule of thumb is 30 percent top note, 50 percent middle notes, and 20 percent base note.

Your mixture will be mostly carrier oil and alcohol, with one to five drops of each of the other oils. Mix the oils up in a dark-colored glass bottle with a dropper lid. The dark bottle protects the oils from sunlight, slowing the rate at which the carrier oil spoils.

MONQ Lemon

Essential Oils to Boost Your Wellbeing

So, which oils should you choose? Well, that depends on what you want out of your cologne. There is certainly no harm in choosing oils because you like their scent, but you may as well pick ones that have other benefits too.

Cypress for Cleanliness

Cypress oil is a great choice if you are looking for something to stay looking clean and clear. This essential oil helps maintain cleanliness, meaning that it’s a good choice after a shave.

Sandalwood for Discomfort

Sandalwood can help with discomfort, meaning that it can be useful post-shave and it could help with other mild aches and discomfort as well.

Bergamot for Calmness

If you are feeling strong feelings about a big presentation or a job interview, then bergamot could help calm you down. Bergamot is rich in polyphenols, which can help with a number of issues.

Peppermint for Alertness

Peppermint oil is a great choice if you’re looking to improve your alertness. As an added bonus, it helps boost your good feelings. In small quantities, peppermint oil can help in maintaining fitness.

Conclusion

If you’re making essential oil-based colognes, be sure to err on the side of caution when it comes to deciding the strength. Your cologne should be highly diluted. Large doses of essential oils can cause unusual side-effects so be sure to dilute properly. 

That’s not to say they are harmful in small doses, however. Tea tree oil is popular among athletes to help with skin health. It’s all about using the right concentration of essential oil.

Try experimenting with some of the essential oils highlighted above to see how they work for you and which ones you like the scent of. Make your own distinctive perfume, and use it to get into a great head-space before you take on each day.

 

Disclaimer: The above information relates to studies of specific individual essential oil ingredients, some of which are used in the essential oil blends for various MONQ diffusers. Please note, however, that while individual ingredients may have been shown to exhibit certain independent effects when used alone, the specific blends of ingredients contained in MONQ diffusers have not been tested. No specific claims are being made that use of any MONQ diffusers will lead to any of the effects discussed above. Additionally, please note that MONQ diffusers have not been reviewed or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. MONQ diffusers are not intended to be used in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, prevention, or treatment of any disease or medical condition. If you have a health condition or concern, please consult a physician or your alternative health care provider prior to using MONQ diffusers. MONQ blends should not be inhaled into the lungs.Why? It works better that way