Every homemade perfume starts with a carrier: the liquid that dilutes your fragrance oil and carries it from the bottle to your skin. Most makers choose between three: a ready-to-use perfume base, perfume grade alcohol, or an alcohol-free perfume base. Each one suits a different kind of maker. Here's how they compare, so you can pick the right one before you buy.
Quick answer: Choose Perfume Base for the easiest start, because it already contains fixatives and you only add fragrance. Choose Perfume Grade Alcohol if you want full control of your formula. Choose Alcohol-Free Perfume Base if you or your customers prefer no ethanol.
Side-by-side comparison
| Perfume Base (Ready to Use) | Perfume Grade Alcohol | Alcohol-Free Perfume Base | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Alcohol blended with fixatives and dipropylene glycol (DPG) | High-purity alcohol made for perfumery | A carrier made without ethanol, isopropyl alcohol or methanol |
| Ready to use? | Yes, just add fragrance | Yes, but you design the rest of the formula | Yes, just add a compatible fragrance |
| Fragrance oil you can add | Up to 30% | Usually 15–25% for perfume strength | Up to 25%, depending on the oil |
| Rest before use | At least 72 hours | At least 48 hours; longer is smoother | About 30 minutes, then check clarity |
| Flammable? | Yes, it contains alcohol | Yes, highly flammable | Check the product's safety data sheet |
| Best for | Beginners, gifts, first perfume business trials | Experienced makers, custom formulas, room sprays | Alcohol-free perfumes and body mists |
Before applying any perfume to skin, stay within each fragrance oil's IFRA limit for fine fragrance (Category 4), whichever carrier you choose.
Perfume Base (Ready to Use)
Purenso Perfume Base is a ready-made carrier of alcohol, fixatives and DPG, designed for crafters. You add your fragrance oil, mix, rest it and bottle it. Nothing else to measure.
Choose it if: you're making your first perfumes, you want consistent results with little equipment, or you want to test scent ideas quickly.
Keep in mind:
- Use about 15–20% fragrance for eau de parfum strength and up to 30% for parfum strength, within each oil's limit.
- For room sprays, 5–10% fragrance is usually enough.
- Rest the blend for at least 72 hours; the result should stay clear.
Perfume Grade Alcohol
Perfume Grade Alcohol is the traditional perfumer's carrier. It evaporates quickly after spraying, which lifts the top notes of a fragrance into the air, and it gives you a blank canvas to build your own formula.
Choose it if: you want to add your own fixatives and aroma chemicals, you're developing formulas for a brand, or you're also making room sprays.
Keep in mind:
- Plain alcohol has no fixatives, so add base materials if you want the scent to last. See How to Make Perfume Last Longer.
- A small amount of distilled water (up to about 4%) is optional. It can make some oils cloudy, so test first.
- It is highly flammable. Store it tightly closed, away from heat and flames.
Alcohol-Free Perfume Base
Alcohol-Free Perfume Base is made without ethanol, isopropyl alcohol or methanol. It's designed for blending with compatible fragrance oils, essential oils and perfume compounds without extra solubilisers.
Choose it if: you or your customers prefer perfumes without alcohol, or you're making body mists and alcohol-free sprays.
Keep in mind:
- Not every oil is compatible. Mix a small test batch of each oil first and check it for cloudiness or separation before making a large batch.
- Alcohol-free perfumes can wear differently from alcohol perfumes. Test how each scent performs on skin before you make a full batch.
- Load up to 25% fragrance, depending on the oil's compatibility and its IFRA limit.
Which one should I buy?
- First perfume, or a gift: Perfume Base.
- Your own formulas, or a perfume brand: Perfume Grade Alcohol, plus fixatives from our perfume additives.
- No alcohol: Alcohol-Free Perfume Base, tested with each oil first.
- Room spray: Perfume Grade Alcohol or Perfume Base, with 5–10% fragrance.
Ready to start? Follow our step-by-step guide: How to Make Perfume at Home.
Frequently asked questions
Is perfume grade alcohol the same as rubbing alcohol?
No. Rubbing alcohol is isopropyl alcohol, which has a harsh smell and isn't used in fine fragrance. Perfume grade alcohol is made specifically for perfumery.
Do alcohol-free perfumes last as long?
It depends on the fragrance oil, how much you use and the base itself. Test each scent on skin and adjust the strength within the oil's limit.
Why is my alcohol-free perfume cloudy?
The oil isn't fully compatible with the base at that level. Try a lower percentage, or choose a different oil.
Can I mix two carriers together?
Each carrier is designed to work on its own. If you want to combine them, make a small test batch first and watch it for a few days.
Which carrier is best for a perfume business?
Many small brands start with Perfume Base for consistency, then move to Perfume Grade Alcohol as they develop their own formulas. Whichever you choose, selling perfume requires the right licence, labelling and safety checks, so confirm the rules that apply to you.
