How to Make Rosemary Aftershave

Rosemary is a showy, flowering herb popular in many gardens because it is easy to grow and is a great way to flavor healthy, organic dishes. However, rosemary is also popular in the cosmetic industry because of its pleasant scent and ability to discourage dry skin. However, in the case of many chemically based aftershaves, the rosemary accomplishes nothing more than counteracting the harsh chemical ingredients in the splash or lotion. To get the full benefit of rosemary in your aftershave, make this all natural version in your own kitchen. It will refresh your skin, clear your mind and start your day--and your shave--off right.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 cup rubbing alcohol
• 1/2 tbsp. glycerin
• 1 tbsp. dried lavender
• 1 tsp. dried rosemary
• 1 tsp. ground cloves
• Glass jar with screw-on lid
• Mixing bowl
• Strainer
• Spoon

1. Mix the alcohol, glycerin, rosemary, lavender and cloves together in a bowl. Stir the ingredients smoothly but quickly, as the rubbing alcohol will start to evaporate as soon as you pour it.

2. 
   A baby food jar, washed and dried, makes a good holder for this aftershave.

   Pour the liquid into the glass jar with the screw-on lid. If there is a lot of room left in the jar, use a smaller container so that the mixture is not exposed to air.

3. Refrigerate the aftershave for four days. Shake up the mixture three times each day. You will see it start to become a little cloudy and the water will appear discolored. This is because you are creating an herbal infusion for your face, and the discoloration indicates that the valuable nutrients and compounds are leaching out of the herbs and into the aftershave.

4. Strain the herbs out of the mixture. You can throw the herbs away, but catch the aftershave and replace it in the glass jar.

5. Store your aftershave in the refrigerator. The liquid will remain runny. You should splash a small amount on your face immediately after shaving. The aftershave will be good up to two months, but after this time period has passed you should throw out whatever remains of the batch and make a new one.

Tips & Warnings

• If you like, add a single drop of food coloring to the aftershave to make it a pleasant color. Do not add more than one drop, though, or you will color your face and hands when you use it.
• You can peel off the label from the baby food jar and decorate the jar with a ribbon to make an attractive gift for a male friend. Include directions on how to use and store the aftershave.
• Test your aftershave by rubbing a tiny amount on the inside of your elbow. Leave it there overnight, and examine the skin for redness, itching or irritation the next morning. If your skin is clear, then you can use your rosemary aftershave without fear of an allergic reaction.

Resources

• Learn more about the history and uses of rosemary here.