How to Make Essential Oil Chemical-Free Fragrance

By Caryn Gehlmann

I was initially introduced to essential oils over 30 years ago when I was searching for a chemical-free fragrance, since synthetic perfumes gave me headaches. It turns out I’m not the only one who has experienced negative side-effects to fragrances. A study done in 2016 showed that many people have negative reactions to artificially fragranced products with symptoms including headaches, asthma attacks, dizziness, rashes, congestion, nausea and more.

So I was really enthralled to watch “Stink!,” a documentary about the chemicals and toxins in mainstream household products. One of my clients, who’s an acupuncturist, recommended it and wow did it make for interesting viewing! It follows the journey of a dad who was concerned about the smell in his daughter’s pajamas and attempts to investigate the source. Along the way, he discovers that the chemical industry can legally claim that thousands of chemicals in commerce are “trade secrets” so they don’t have to be disclosed to the public. (If you have a chance to view it, please post your comments on Facebook. I’m curious to know what you think.)

This time of year, many products are promoted as having a fresh springtime scent. But as a savvy consumer do your research. Fragrances are sometimes advertised as “natural” but in reality are artificially created in a lab and often include synthetics, pesticides, phthalates or other harmful substances. For example, fragrance oils are synthetically made and since they are non-volatile they generally last longer than essential oils. Some fragrance oils contain a small percentage of essential oils, but that doesn’t mean they’re a natural product. You also want to look for products that are phthalate-free. Phthalates, a group of chemicals used to make plastics more flexible, are in many of our daily personal-care products. It’s always a good idea to read the label.

You may be like me and choose to use pure essential oils to create your own products that don’t include either toxic or “mystery” substances. When you make your own products you know exactly what goes into them! Did you know that each essential oil has a unique pharmacological effect, such as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, rejuvenating, calming, etc.? They not only smell wonderful they’re a healthier choice for you and your family.
To get you started on making toxin free household or personal care products, here are some DIY recipes from our website. All the products feature chemical-free fragrance, as they are made from e3’s pure essential oils.

Skincare Recipes
Forest Bathing Recipe
Massage Recipe
Household Diffusing Recipe
Cleaning Spray Recipe
Fresh Air Spritzer Recipe
Simple Antibacterial/Antifungal Recipe
Dish Soap Recipe
Oven Cleaner Recipe
Furniture Polish Recipe

And many more — sign-up for our DIY email to get them sent to your inbox once a month. (Make sure to check the box that says DIY recipes!)

And of course, you can use essential oils to make your own signature perfume. There are many lovely combination to use to make your own perfume, one of my favorites is to combine Lime with Patchouli.

Here’s what you need to make your “chemical-free” perfume:
1 T. Jojoba
10-20 drops of desired, skin-compatible essential oil (such as Jasmine, Rose,
e3 Serenity, Adventurous)

Mix together and store in a small, glass bottle with a cap. Apply a drop to pulse points, such as the inner elbows, behind the knees, behind the ears, or on the underside of wrists.

Why not make your own chemical-free fragrance today! Of course, one of the most important things you can do when making fragrance choices is to listen to your nose. That’s what the creator of Stink did and look at the discoveries he made. If you want to learn how to become a skilled essential oil “sniffer” and get more toxin-free recipes, make sure to download e3’s free guide — Listen to Your Nose: An Introduction to Aromatherapy.