Have you ever wondered: “Can I make my own perfume at home?” The answer is yes — you absolutely can! If you're a fragrance lover and curious about crafting your own signature scent, this guide is for you. Today, we’ll walk you through how to make a personalized apple cinnamon perfume — a cozy, heartwarming fragrance that's perfect for fall and winter.

Whether you're searching for how to make a room air freshener, DIY custom perfume, or just exploring creative ways to use natural ingredients, making homemade perfume can be both fun and rewarding. Let’s dive in!

What You Need to Know About Homemade Perfume

Perfume is typically made from four components:

• Fragrance source (essential oils, spices, natural extracts)
• Solvent (usually high-proof alcohol)
• Fixative (to help the scent last longer)
• Neutralizer (to balance the formula)

While synthetic fragrance oils are often used in commercial perfumes due to their affordability and intensity, some may contain allergens. When creating homemade perfume, we recommend natural and skin-safe ingredients for a cleaner scent and better peace of mind.

Why Apple & Cinnamon?

Apple and cinnamon are classic aromatic ingredients widely loved for their warm and spicy aroma. For example, the Yankee Candle Sugar Apple Cinnamon scent is one of the best sellers on Amazon, with over 80% positive reviews.

Supporting Ingredients Matter Too, like Clove: Adds depth but must be used sparingly (0.2%–0.5% of the formula) as it has a strong aroma; Star Anise: Adds a sweet, spicy complexity and hints of leather or tobacco when combined with cinnamon. It also holds traditional uses in Chinese medicine for warming and pain relief.

DIY Apple Cinnamon Perfume: Ingredients List

Base Solvent: High-proof alcohol (Vodka or perfumer’s alcohol, ideally 90% or higher)

Fragrance Ingredients:

• 1 Fresh apple (sliced)
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 5 whole cloves
• 2 star anise pods

(Optional: Essential oils – apple, cinnamon, clove, star anise)

Tools You’ll Need:

• Amber or dark glass bottle (to block sunlight)
• Coffee filter or cheesecloth
• Dropper and measuring cup

Step-by-Step: How to Make DIY Apple Cinnamon Perfume

Step 1: Extract Spices (Infusion Method)

Lightly crush 1 cinnamon stick, 5 cloves, and 2 star anise pods. Place them into a dark glass bottle and add 100 mL of high-proof alcohol. Seal the bottle and store it in a cool, dark place. Shake daily and let it infuse for 2 to 4 weeks. The longer it infuses, the richer the scent. Then, strain to remove solids.

Step 2: Add the Apple Note

Natural Extraction: Slice 1 apple thinly and soak it in 50 mL of alcohol for 3 days. Do not soak longer than that to prevent decay. Strain and mix with the spiced infusion.

Using Essential Oils: For a more stable blend, add the following to every 10 mL of your infused alcohol:

• 5 drops of apple essential oil
• 2 drops of cinnamon oil
• 1 drop of clove oil
• 1 drop of star anise oil

Note: Clove and star anise oils are potent and can be irritating. If you have sensitive skin, dilute them to below 1% concentration (i.e., 1 drop per 10 mL base alcohol).

Step 3: Blend and Age

Mix all components together, seal, and let sit in a cool place for 1 to 2 weeks to let the fragrance mature. After aging, filter again and transfer to your final perfume bottle.

Tips for DIY Perfume Lovers

• Always use amber or dark bottles to avoid UV light and oxidation.
• Allow your perfume to mature before use — it will smell more balanced.
• Alcohol-based perfumes last longer on clothing than directly on skin.
• Experiment with layered scent profiles to create your own signature fragrance.

Other DIY Fragrance Ideas to Try:

Looking for more seasonal scent inspirations? Try these combinations:

Prefer a Safer, Easier Option?

If you find perfume-making too complex or are concerned about safety, check out our online store for personalized customized perfumes made with natural ingredients. Discover your next favorite scent — crafted with care, delivered with love.