Aromatherapy for Men
by Kathy Steinbock, Cert. Aroma. R.A.
Did you know there are a number of great essential oils whose scent are perfectly suited to a man’s temperament and sense of style? We’ve had chemical-based scents for ages. The over-flowing men’s product shelves at the grocery store confirm this; think Old Spice and Axe body sprays. Since men today want to care for their skin with natural and organic options, I want to share some essential oils and essential oil blends just right for men.
Manly Scents: Essential Oils for Men
Every man has his own style, and that’s true for scent profiles, too. Overall I like to think about sporty, woodsy, bright, earthy, herbaceous and spicy as the scent profiles that work well for men—but women like them, too! Floral scents are usually not used for men’s products, with the exception of Lavender and Jasmine, which, if used with a delicate hand, can add a wonderful middle note to a product.
You’ll find Patchouli, Sandalwood, Rosemary, Oak Moss, Bay, Laurel, Basil, Anise, Cypress, Ginger, Black Pepper, Peppermint, Peru Palsam, Vetiver, Nutmeg and Allspice often used for the spice and earthy notes in men’s products. Citrus oils including Cedarwood and other coniferous oils, Grapefruit, Lemon, Lime, and Orange are also good choices; especially if you’re just starting to create your own blends for men. Lemongrass, Coriander, and Benzoin are other Essential Oils that lend their aromas well to scenting men’s products.
Mixing Scents: Products for Men
The modern man uses scented grooming products and diffusers almost as much as the modern women does. If you follow a few simple rules for men, you’ll do just fine.
Rule 1: Keep it Light. No man wants to overwhelm the people he comes in contact with, whether in an elevator, a restaurant or snuggled up on the couch. So use a delicate hand when adding essential oils to shaving oils, shaving lotions, aftersaves, hand cream and hair product. Remember to frequently step outside to clear your scent palate, so you don’t accidentally over do it.
Rule 2: Keep it Simple. This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to limit the number of essential oils in any blend, but it does speak to keeping the end product from getting a muddled. You want to create a distinct scent, not a muddy one. Scented deodorant sticks, beard oil and shower gel are great for guys.
Rule 3: Make it Your Own. The men in our lives are special. Once you’ve got your confidence with tried and true scent combinations, let yourself go and experiment. Substitute Clove for Cinnamon or Sandalwood for Peru Palsam, Patchouli for Veitver. Or create you own signature scents.
If you’re looking for a place to start, citrus room sprays are great for the laundry room or for teenage boys with gym socks scattered on the floor. Our Room Spray video will take you step-by-step through the process. The men here at Essential also love this Fresh Batch Lavender Rosemary Mint Scrub, It’s super quick and easy to make and the women love it, too.
As always, if you’ve got comments or questions or your own ideas about scents for men, please comment below. And feel free to share this post with your social network.
– Kathy
