Homemade Bay Rum Aftershave

When you think of the bay leaf, you may be thinking of spaghetti and savory soups, but the bay leaf is also used in the iconic bay rum aftershave. In fact, the West Indian bay leaf comes from the leaf of the West Indian bay tree, typically used to produce the cologne called bay rum that became popular with sailors in the 16th century.

Because bay rum is also used as an under-arm deodorant, fragrance for shaving soap, and as a general astringent, it’s quite clear that bay rum can keep you smelling good.

The great news is that you can create your own version of bay rum aftershave in a just a few minutes. Through the combination of pure essential oils and rum, you will have a fantastic bouquet of spicy and sweet scents. So let’s get started making your own bay rum aftershave.

How to Make Bay Rum Aftershave

To get started, you will need an 8-ounce mason jar with a tightly fitting lid. There are attractive ones out there with corks that could make for a nice presentation or gift.

In your half-pint jar, add two tablespoons of the rum and 4–6 ounces of witch hazel. Bay or Jamaican rum is found in different variations, usually with each producing a particular spice, sweet and/or herbal fragrance. Witch hazel is great because of its healing properties as a natural astringent for the skin and prevents the signs of aging.

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Next, let’s begin to add the oils. First, for the most important ingredient, let’s add a whopping 20–30 drops of Bay West Indies essential oil. (You’ll see many options there.) While you can use bay leaves, I have found that the oil is easier to work with and will last longer in your cabinet — just make sure it is pure. The traditional pimenta racemosa is the essential oil you want to use.

Now let’s put in 4–5 drops of cinnamon oil. The cinnamon provides a nice sweet and spicy scent while being effective at treating skin conditions such as acne because of its antimicrobial capacity. Blend the mixture well.

It’s time to include 5–10 drops of orange oil. Orange essential oil decreases wrinkles and improves your complexion while provide a sweet, citrus scent.

Next up is 2–3 drops of black pepper essential oil, which contains both antioxidant and antibacterial properties — it can prevent wrinkles and reduce skin irritation.

And for the final ingredient, add 5–6 drops of vanilla oil. Vanilla oil not only provides a sweet, soft scent, but it also promotes healthy skin and reduces anxiety. This makes it the perfect compliment to the spicy scents.

Use as a cologne or splash on your face after shaving. You now have your very own homemade bay rum aftershave! I am sure you, and your significant other, will enjoy this sweet and spicy aroma.

DIY Bay Rum Aftershave Recipe

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• Author: Dr. Josh Axe
• Total Time: 10 min
• Yield: 20 applications 1x

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Description

Because bay rum is also used as an under-arm deodorant, fragrance for shaving soap, and as a general astringent, it’s quite clear that bay rum can keep you smelling good. The great news is that you can create your own version of bay rum aftershave or cologne in a just a few minutes.

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Ingredients

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• 2 tablespoons Bay or Jamaican Rum
• 4–6 ounces witch hazel
• 20–30 drops Bay West Indies essential oil
• 4–5 drops of pure cinnamon essential oil
• 2–3 drops black pepper essential oil
• 5–10 drops wild orange essential oil
• 5–6 drops vanilla essential oil

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Instructions

1. You will need a mason jar (8 or 16 ounces) with a tightly fitting lid. In your jar, add both the rum and the witch hazel.
2. Now let’s add the oils, one at a time, blending well each time.
3. Once well blended, place in a clean jar with a tight lid. You can blend all ingredients in this jar from the beginning unless you are using dry ingredients. In that case, you will need to strain the ingredients several times first.
4. Apply after shaving or use as a cologne.

• Category: Facial Skin Care