I used to be one of those people who stocked up on everything pine infused as soon as holiday items hit the shelves, but in the last few years, I’ve slowly made the switch to more natural homemade versions of my favorite forest scented products. Not only can I save money while still enjoying the scents of winter all year round, but I can also reap the benefits of controlling what ingredients I use. No nasty chemicals? I’m in!
Lately, my husband has really been getting into the art of “proper shaving” and all the steps that come with it like using a good shave oil. I’m not sure how I feel about the sinister-looking razor he uses, but I have to agree with the fact that his face is smoother than a baby’s bottom. No more “scruff rash” for me!
So, what’s the real secret here? Shave oil!
I’ve been trying for years to get him to use SOME sort of facial care to help keep his skin healthy and moisturized (especially during the winter) but have never seemed able to pique his interest enough to get him to actually do it. Thankfully, the art of using a safety razor demands a bit more ritual when it comes to shaving properly, and my husband likes to do things right. That meant using a pre-shave oil to help soften his skin and hair, allowing for the closest and most comfortable shave possible.
Since using a pre-shave oil, his skin is super smooth to the touch and now he hardly even gets a clogged pore or ingrown hair after shaving. It’s kind of amazing how much of a difference it makes and I highly recommend you give it a try!
DIY Winter Forest Shave Oil Recipe
In the spirit of all things wintery and coniferous, I’ve decided to make a deliciously scented shave oil for my husband to use. He loves forest scented things as much as I do and he is just in love with the blend I came up with.
This also makes a really nice gift for the men in your life who appreciate a good shave. It’s super customizable and a snap to make.
Here’s what you’ll need to make my winter forest shave oil recipe:
• One 2oz bottle (one with a pump top will work best as you do not want water getting into your oil)
• Sweet almond oil (fill ¼ of the bottle)
• Evening primrose oil (fill another ¼ of the bottle)
• Jojoba oil (fill to the shoulder of the bottle)
• 6 drops black spruce essential oil
• 5 drops douglas fir essential oil
• 4 drops cedarwood essential oil
• 3 drops balsam fir essential oil
• 3 drops peppermint essential oil
• 3 drops black pepper essential oil
• 2 drops vetiver essential oil
You can sub for a single conifer oil if you don’t have a variety of pine essential oils like I do, but the mix sure smells amazing! Like a snapshot of snowy forests and quiet places.
I’ve actually been using it on my legs and noticed that my shave lasts a bit longer too which is nice during the winter when I’d normally go “abominable snowman” for the next several months.
Loving Preparation – Winter Forest Shave Oil
Like I said earlier, this recipe is really quick to make. All that’s left to do is:
1. Begin by adding each essential oil to your 2oz bottle.
2. Next add the evening primrose, sweet almond, and jojoba oil to the bottle.
3. Cap closed and roll between your palms to mix in the essential oils.
To Use
1. Open the pores with comfortably hot water in order to soften the hair. You can do this with running water or a hot cloth.
2. Wash your face as usual to cleanse the skin.
3. Rub a pump of winter forest shave oil between your fingers to warm, then apply to the skin.
4. Shave using your preferred method of choice.
This shave oil smells HEAVENLY, and if you’re anything like my husband and me who love those outdoorsy, resinous, coniferous smells, then you’ll love this blend as much as we do!
The scent of the shave oil gently lingers while the properties of the woodsy essential oils ground the senses and nourish the skin.
Feel free to add other oils like frankincense, myrrh, tea tree, or lavender to boost its skin healing benefits.
What have been your favorite blends for homemade shave oil?
You may also enjoy reading:
DIY All-Natural Pre-Shave Oil Recipe
Conifer Essential Oils - Essential Oils 101
How to Detox Your Underarms and Why You Should!