How to Make Your Own Perfume Oil From Fresh Flowers

In 2024, Statista reported that around 48% of U.S. respondents claimed to use commercial fragrances regularly. And yet, many health-conscious individuals prefer to avoid perfume altogether due to concerns about the potential health effects of the chemicals that are typically included, such as:

• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like acetaldehydes, ethanol, acetone, limonene, beta-pinene, and alpha-pinene.
• Parabens, a family of chemicals that act as preservatives in perfumes, shampoos, deodorants and cosmetics.
• Phthalates, the most common being diethyl phthalate (DEP) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP), used to make perfumes last longer.
• Synthetic musk, which may mimic natural hormones and disrupt normal endocrine/biological processes.

How do synthetic fragrances affect your health?

Fragrance chemicals−such as those above−can enter the body through inhalation and skin absorption. Once in the bloodstream, they can disrupt various systems and organs. Adverse effects may include:

Fragrance allergies – Eleven percent of the global population is impacted by fragrance allergies. This fragrance sensitivity develops with frequent exposure, causing an immune response and paving the way for conditions like contact dermatitis, an allergic skin condition causing swelling, itching and redness.

Neurological effects – Chemical-based fragrances can adversely affect the central nervous system. Inhalation exposure to potentially harmful ingredients is detected by receptors in the mouth, nose, eyes and olfactory receptors, which directly connect to the brain.

Respiratory problems – As fragrance chemicals enter the airway through inhalation exposure, individuals with asthma face heightened risks. Exposure to certain fragrances can induce severe reactions, even at low concentrations.

Endocrine disruption and reproductive health problems – Certain chemicals in fragrances are endocrine disrupters, affecting the reproductive system, and even fertility. Synthetic musk can mimic natural hormones, disturbing the body’s natural balance and disrupting the endocrine system, which plays a critical role in fertility and reproductive health.

Increased risk of cancer – Parabens in commercial perfumes have been linked to breast cancer. Formaldehyde, benzene, and styrene are also found in many scented products. Both formaldehyde and benzene are classified as known human carcinogens by the EPA. Styrene is considered a possible human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the National Toxicology Program (NTP).

The timeless appeal of scent

Despite all the health concerns associated with commercial perfumes, the fragrance market continues to boom, perhaps because there is something timelessly compelling about wearing a pretty, uplifting fragrance. The good news is you can have the best of both worlds when you insist on safe, natural alternatives. Beyond being non-toxic, there are wellness benefits associated with natural fragrances, as we know from aromatherapy. While you can now find safer fragrances in the natural products marketplace, you may feel inspired to create your own.

The DIY fragrance advantage

Creating your own natural perfume has many advantages. For one, you will save a fortune you might have spent on expensive commercial brands. You will also be able to control your ingredients, resulting in a safe, beneficial outcome. And of course, DIY is by far the most eco-friendly approach, on many levels.

It helps to recognize, however, that creating your own natural fragrance is both art and science, though by no means an exact science. That’s why starting with a small batch first makes sense, allowing you to assess the strength and dimensions of the aroma you prefer. Ready to get started?

DIY Natural Flower Perfume Oil

Ingredients & supplies

Fresh flowers

Select fresh, pesticide-free flowers, targeting the most fragrant options available, such as lavender, rose, jasmine, gardenia or divinely aromatic orange blossoms. Ensure you will have enough fresh blooms to fill a Mason jar when packed down, from 6-12 cups. Again, you may want to experiment with a smaller batch to start.

Carrier oil of choice

Select a light, cold-pressed oil to extract as well as to “carry” the natural floral aroma, which ensures that you can enjoy your scent for a more extended period. Cold-pressed jojoba, almond or sesame oils all work beautifully. You will need 2-4 cups, or enough to completely cover the packed blossoms in your Mason jar.

Fixatives

These are used to stabilize and preserve biological material. Natural fixatives include glycerin, sandalwood oil and vanilla. While it is not imperative to use one, they help lock in or “fix” your aroma. Sandalwood and vanilla, alone or in concert, help anchor your scent while also adding beautiful base notes to the overall fragrance. Try a teaspoon of vanilla extract, vanilla bean paste, several drops of sandalwood essential oil or a combination.

Bottles & containers

For prep, you’ll need a lidded Mason jar, as noted above. In terms of packaging your finished flower perfume oils, you can use small glass bottles for a dab-on fragrance, or even better, small roll-on containers, which come in dark blue or amber glass making them ideal for protecting your floral blend from light. These are conveniently portable, and they are also perfect for gift giving.

Other supplies

For straining, you’ll need a fine mesh strainer or some cheesecloth.

How to make your flower perfume oil

Once you have prepared your flowers and covered the packed material with the oil of your choice, with or without the fixative, seal the jar tightly and allow it to sit in a cool, dark place for 24-48 hours.

When you are ready, press the floral-oil mixture through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth, collecting your aromatic oil in the glass measuring cup for easy transfer to your storage container of choice.

As a totally optional final touch, you may wish to bolster your fragrance with a few drops of essential oil. This helps to add dimension, intensity, and variety, but use a light hand, so the added aroma merely accentuates the sublet bouquet created from fresh flowers. A few dops of any of the following may work well: lavender, geranium, ylang-ylang, lemongrass, sweet orange, jasmine, vanilla, rose, bergamot, etc.

You’ve got this!

Let’s be clear, you are the mistress or master of your domain when it comes to your personally crafted DIY perfume oil, so enjoy adjusting your fragrance to achieve the most pleasing outcome for you. Playing around with the final aroma is fun and useful for making gift blends, which you can curate for the lavender lover, rose queen or vanilla worshipper in your life.

Have fun with the process, which is healthy, creative, fun and−as is often the case with mastering a DIY project−empowering. Let it bloom!