Homemade Essential Oil Cooling Spray Recipe For Summer

A homemade essential oil cooling spray is a quick way to feel refreshed on a hot day. Just mix aloe vera gel, a little jojoba oil and a few drops of cooling essential oils like peppermint or spearmint in a spray bottle, fill with distilled water, chill it in the fridge and mist. Below are two easy cooling spray recipes, the best cooling essential oils and tips for staying cool in the heat. Jump to the recipes.

Cooling Essential Oils for Skin

Some essential oils create a cool, tingly feeling on the skin, mostly thanks to menthol in the mint family. These are my favorites for a cooling spray:

• Peppermint: the strongest cooling feel, thanks to its high menthol content
• Spearmint: sweeter and gentler than peppermint, a good choice for sensitive skin
• Eucalyptus: fresh and crisp, lovely paired with peppermint
• Lavender: not cooling on its own, but soft and soothing, and it balances the mints

Peppermint and eucalyptus make a nice fresh combo. For a gentler spray, try lavender and spearmint.

Peppermint Essential Oil for Cooling

When it comes to a cooling feel, nothing beats peppermint essential oil. Its menthol triggers the same cold-sensing nerves in your skin that a cool breeze does, so your skin feels instantly refreshed. Its bright, minty scent also helps you feel more alert and clear-headed on a sluggish, hot afternoon.

Peppermint is strong, so a little goes a long way. Keep it away from your eyes and face, and don't use it on or around children under 6.

Related reading: Peppermint Diffuser Blends

Aloe Vera and Witch Hazel

Aloe vera gel adds a light, cooling, hydrating feel to your spray. Use a thin, liquid aloe gel, not a thick jelly, so it sprays well. Learn more in my guide to aloe vera for skin.

Witch hazel is a gentle astringent that feels fresh and tightening on skin. Many witch hazels contain alcohol, which can sting sunburned or irritated skin, so use distilled water instead if your skin is tender. Read more about witch hazel for skin.

DIY Essential Oil Cooling Spray Recipe

A refreshing, all-purpose cooling mist for hot days. Choose your favorite cooling oil or mix them.

• 2 tablespoons aloe vera gel
• 1 teaspoon jojoba or fractionated coconut oil
• 20 drops total of peppermint, spearmint or eucalyptus essential oil (or a mix)
• Distilled water or alcohol-free witch hazel to fill
• 4 oz glass spray bottle

Directions: Mix the essential oils into the jojoba oil first. Essential oils don't mix with water on their own, so this helps them spread evenly. Add the oil mixture and the aloe gel to the bottle and swirl. Fill with distilled water or witch hazel, cap and shake well.

To use: Shake before each use, then mist onto arms, legs, the back of your neck or your feet. Keep it away from your eyes and face. For an extra-cool mist, store it in the fridge or a cooler. This is about a 0.8% dilution, gentle enough for adults to use often.

Lavender Peppermint Cooling Spray Recipe

A softer, floral blend that's lovely as an after-sun mist once your skin has cooled.

• 2 tablespoons aloe vera gel
• 1 teaspoon jojoba or fractionated coconut oil
• 15 drops lavender essential oil
• 5 drops peppermint essential oil
• Distilled water to fill
• 4 oz glass spray bottle

Directions: Mix the essential oils into the jojoba, then add it to the bottle with the aloe gel. Fill with distilled water, cap and shake well before each use. If you're using it on sunburned skin, try a small area first, since peppermint can sting damaged skin. See my gentle essential oil recipes for sunburn for more.

How to Store Your Cooling Spray

These sprays are water-based and have no preservative, so keep them in the fridge and use them within about 1 to 2 weeks. Throw them out if they smell off or look cloudy.

Kid-Friendly Cooling Spray

Peppermint and eucalyptus aren't recommended for young children. For kids ages 2 to 6, make a gentle version with 6 drops of lavender, 1 teaspoon of jojoba, 2 tablespoons of aloe gel and distilled water in a 4 oz bottle. Mist on arms and legs, never the face. For ages 6 to 10, you can swap in a few drops of spearmint for a little cooling feel. See my kid-safe essential oils list.

10 Tips for Staying Cool in Hot Weather

1. Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
2. Avoid phototoxic citrus oils on skin that will be in the sun. Learn which essential oils are photosensitive.
3. Always dilute essential oils before putting them on your skin.
4. Less is more. Strong mints can irritate skin if overused.
5. Place a cool pack on the back of your neck, or try my aloe vera ice cubes.
6. Store your essential oils in a cool, dark place.
7. Stay in the shade during the hottest part of the day.
8. Keep a chilled cooling mist in your bag or cooler.
9. Take a cool shower or try a spearmint foot soak.
10. Rest and skip strenuous activity in the heat. Watch for signs of heat exhaustion, like dizziness, nausea or heavy sweating, and get help if they don't improve.

Refreshing Essential Oil Blends for Hot Summer Days

1. Peppermint and Lemon

A bright, minty citrus blend that's perfect in a diffuser or inhaler when the heat makes you sluggish. Skip lemon in sprays for skin that will be in the sun.

2. Lavender and Peppermint

Lavender and peppermint balance each other beautifully: calming and refreshing at the same time. Use it in a diffuser, inhaler or the spray above.

3. Spearmint and Grapefruit

A sweet, uplifting blend for a diffuser or inhaler. It's a nice pick-me-up on a hot afternoon. For more ideas, see my summer diffuser blends.

Essential Oil Safety

• Never use essential oils undiluted, in your eyes or on mucous membranes.
• Don't take essential oils internally.
• Keep essential oils out of reach of children and pets.
• Do a patch test before using a new recipe on your skin.
• If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have epilepsy or are under a doctor's care, check with your doctor first.

Read more of my essential oil safety tips. New to oils? Start with Essential Oils for Beginners.

Final Thoughts on Cooling Essential Oils

There's nothing worse than feeling hot and sticky on a scorching summer day. Keep a chilled bottle of this cooling spray in your fridge or cooler, and you'll have a refreshing mist ready whenever you need it.

More Summer Recipes

• Best Summer Essential Oils Guide
• How To Make Aloe Vera Gel Ice Cubes
• Essential Oils for Hot Flashes
• 8 Simple Summer Room Spray Recipes

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