Skip to Content

Soap Scents for Men

Sharing is caring!

When making homemade soap, it can be difficult to find masculine soap scents for men. I have made many handmade soaps over the years! There is just something about the smell of a manly soap. You take a deep breath in and know that a manly scent was used to create this soap.

However, traditional store bought soaps can be so boring. I have an essential oil soap recipe for men that my boys love, but they do get tired of the same old thing day after day.

I like to switch things up for them! And anyone who has a house full of boys knows that you don’t want to smell them. Most moms will do anything to help make sure the men and boys in their life smell good. 

So, I came up with a list of masculine scents to help me mix things up when I make their next batch of soap. I like to be creative and come up with different soap ideas and I’m hoping these scents masculine scent ideas will help both of us! 

masculine soap scents

Remember, don’t use more than 3 scents per soap or it can get overwhelming and confusing! As you look at this scent list, you can be creative, but don’t go crazy.

You want to create soap that smells good, not one that messes with their noses and makes them itch all day. 

What soap scents do men like?

While preferences among men may vary, certain scent profiles tend to be more popular than others in terms of masculine-themed soap fragrances. Common scents that are often found in men’s soaps include those that feature woody and earthy undertones.

The presence of these tones often conveys a sense of the outdoors, harkening to deep forests or white sand beaches. Herbal notes like sage and eucalyptus are also popular with men, as they give the soap an invigorating scent profile while eliminating odors.

At the end of the day, selecting the right soap fragrance is a matter of personal preference based on individual taste, but with knowledge of these common scents, any man should have no issue finding a pleasant-smelling alternative that suits his needs.

What essential oils are good for men’s soap?

Essential oils are an excellent ingredient in soap for men, as they offer a variety of benefits with regular use, including deep cleansing and toning of the skin, antimicrobial and antifungal properties, anti-aging benefits, and more.

Popular essential oils that may be used for men’s soap include cypress, cedarwood, rosemary, basil, eucalyptus, and peppermint.

For a citrusy scent, some may choose lemon or bergamot oils, while fir needle oil is popular for its woodsy aroma. All of these fragrances can energize the senses while helping to maintain clear and healthy skin.

In addition to their cleaning and rejuvenation benefits, users who seek a mental boost while showering may also benefit from using soaps containing essential oils.

What is a manly-smelling essential oil?

One of the more popular essential oils that has an undeniably manly scent is sandalwood. Sandalwood has a distinctly earthy, musky aroma and has been used in perfumes and scents for centuries.

It is commonly used in colognes and other men’s grooming products due to its traditionally masculine aroma.

The oil itself can be difficult to find as it is quite rare, but when it is available, there could be nothing better than natural sandalwood essential oil to evoke a sense of strength, power, and masculinity.

What essential oils smell like a man?

Many essential oils have a distinctive scent that appeals to many men. Cedarwood and sandalwood are among the most popular, as they offer a rich, smoky aroma that may remind a man of his favorite campfire gathering or cologne.

Spicy oils such as black pepper, clove, and cardamom evoke a sense of assurance and boldness in those who smell them.

Basil and lemongrass provide a fresh, stimulating scent, while hints of lavender create a calming effect. Whatever the mood, there is sure to be an essential oil that suits it – making aromatherapy an ideal way for men to nourish their bodies and soul.

Does natural soap contain harsh chemicals?

Natural ingredients are one of the biggest reasons to make your own manly man soap! Not only does this soap work well with all skin types, but it’s also one of the best smelling soaps, too!

I think that making your own bar of soap is the perfect way to create an awesome scent that makes a great gift for father’s day and gift someone with a superior quality soap.

Can someone with sensitive skin use natural soap?

There isn’t just one answer to this as everyone’s skin will vary. It will give everyone a great scent who uses it, but organic soap or natural soap isn’t a fix-all for everyone. For the most part, it’s good stuff to deal with skin irritations and even dead skin cells.

It can be a great way to help with dry skin and healthier skin while also giving a clean scent. Natural soap with essential oils can be a great option for helping men have a nice scent!

Is it better to make soap in small batches?

There isn’t a limit on how big of a batch you can make, so make one soap bar or a bunch! The good news is that making your own soap will give you a chance to find your own personal favorite scent that you can make and use for a long time!

        

 

Essential Oil Soap Scents for Men:

Disclaimer:  The links used within this post are affiliate links, so I do make a bit off things if you purchase using my links.  However, the opinions stated are my very own

Bergamont – Most people would describe this soap scent for men as a citrus like smell. It has a spicy-floral scent that helps make it an awesome soap smell.

While Bergamont is spicy, it’s also sweet. You could make this as the main smell in a manly soap and it would do very well. Buy already made Bergamont Soap here.

Rosewood – Another very common soap that works well in the manly soap scent department is Rosewood. This smell is one that works well to help you when you’re tired and stressed.

To describe the smell, you would need to imagine a spicy, woody, floral smell. This type of smell works very well in soap, especially for men.  Buy already made Rosewood Soap here

Copaiba Balsam – A medium‐strength woody, slightly balsamic, and sweet aroma. Copaiba Balsam works as a mood stabilizer, helping to calm the mind from everyday ups and downs.

This essential oil is perfect in men’s soap because it gives skin and hair a youthful, radiant glow while moisturizing and nourishing. Buy soap with Copaiba Balsam oil already made right here.

Vetiver – Who says guys don’t get stressed out too? Vetiver can make soaps smell good, but also calm the stress of the guy in your life.

This manly soap scent is known to smell like tilled soil with a balsam woody smell. Vetiver is related to lemongrass, so it has that really amazing natural smell that every soap needs.  Buy already made Vetiver Artisan soap here.

Citrus I know many guys out there want to smell like a man but aren’t quite in alignment with wanting to smell like grass or dirt. That is where some of the more citrus smells come in.

We’re talking, lemon, lime, orange, and even red grapefruit as manly soap scent options.

The Citrus Blend Essential Oil Blend has a refreshing, rejuvenating, freshly peeled citrus scent. The oil blends together Orange, Grapefruit, Lemon, and Lime.  Buy artisan citrus soap here.

homemade soap scents for men

Masculine Soap Fragrance Additives:

Black Walnut: I think the name of this scent already sounds so manly, I can’t wait to see what it smells like in a soap. Black walnut has been described as having a wood scent or a tobacco type smell.

In order to get a really good idea of what black walnut smells like, you need to go to a black walnut tree and take a big whiff.

Bay Rum: A not so common scent that you can use in men’s soap is Bay Rum. This scent is often found in shaving soaps. The scent is derived from the leaves of the Bay Rum Tree. This type of ingredient can be used to help soothe aches and pains.

Bay Rum smells like a strong clove scent with added spices. Of course, Bay Rum would make one of those great soap scents for men.

Charcoal: You know, sometimes you just want to think outside of the box and the scent of charcoal makes you do just that. Many people are using activated charcoal in their manly soaps to help bring out a unique scent.

Activated charcoal is an odor neutralizer, so you can use it to help tone down some of those stronger scents you might use in soaps. 

Musk Deer: Have you heard of this scent? It’s actually quite popular in many soaps and men colognes. It’s a scent that is unusual to understand, but oh man does it smell good. Musk deer helps bring out that musk smell that many of us love in our man’s cologne.

If the men in your life like the earthy and outdoorsy smell, the Musk Deer may be for them. While the actual scent of Musk Deer is derived from an interesting place, there are other manly scents you can use like Rosewood, Bergamont, and Patchouli that will give you that same earthy sent. 

You could also try the amazing scents in this Sophisticated Man Fragrance Oil Set


More Soap Recipes:

These might not be the most masculine soaps, but you probably want your own soap, right?

Calming Lavender Essential Oil Soap Recipe

Soothing Homemade Oatmeal and Honey Soap Recipe

Invigorating Peppermint Soap Recipe Using Essential Oils

choosing masculine scents when making soap for guys

When it comes to essential oils, I prefer only to use Rocky Mountain Oils!

A tad bit about Rocky Mountain Oils:

Shipping –  All orders within the United States qualify for free economy shipping. Orders have an estimated delivery time of 2-7 business days!  

They even have a neat little chart to help you estimate your shipping time if choosing the free shipping option.

Return Policy – Products can be returned for any reason, even if opened, for up to 90 days.  Yes, seriously!  They even send you a shipping label so you don’t have to pay to return the product.  

No more worries about “what if it doesn’t work or I am allergic” simply return it!

Safe and Healthy – RMO provides GC/MS (Gas Chromatography / Mass Spectrometry) test results from a verified third party, independent lab for each one of their essential oil products.

In fact, on the bottom of your bottle is a batch number.  You can go to their site and enter your number. This will give you the results of your bottle’s testing!

Sharing is caring!

Donna

Sunday 30th of June 2019

I'm just gettyinto making soaps & I live in a household of overload testosterone, 4 grown son's, 4 male dogs, doesn't include my 3 female dogs & myself totally surrounded! This is great for guys, so many flowery scents out there the guys are gonna love it. Thanks so much for sharing.

Michelle

Friday 5th of April 2019

An awesome topic! I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of making soap, but have not done it. So many hobbies, not enough time!