Diluting is definitely a solid first step, but honestly, sometimes dilution alone doesn't quite cut it—especially if the smell or taste is still off-putting. I had a similar "uh-oh" moment when I made my first lavender tincture. Thought it'd be relaxing and gentle, but nope... ended up smelling like grandma's perfume cabinet exploded in my kitchen. Diluting helped a bit, but the scent was still way too intense for comfort.
What really saved it for me was blending it with something complementary that balanced out the overpowering floral notes. I added a bit of lemon balm extract I'd made earlier, and it mellowed the lavender down nicely. Lemon balm has this subtle citrusy-herbal vibe that seems to tone down overly strong or weird-smelling herbal concoctions. Plus, it's calming and soothing on its own, so it kinda fits the original purpose anyway.
Another thing that helps if you're anxious about using something again (totally get that feeling, btw) is doing a patch test first. Just dab a tiny bit on your wrist or behind your ear and wait a few hours to see how your skin reacts. It eases the anxiety of trying again after a bad first impression.
Also, if the smell is really stubborn, airing it out can sometimes help. I once made a rosemary oil infusion that smelled way too medicinal and sharp at first. Left it loosely covered overnight in a cool spot, and by morning it had mellowed significantly. Not sure if that's technically "correct," but hey, it worked.
Anyway, herbal experiments are always a bit of trial and error... part of the charm (and stress!) of DIY stuff, right?
Had a similar issue when I tried making peppermint oil—ended up way too strong, almost toothpaste-y. Mixing in a bit of vanilla extract toned it down nicely, gave it a smoother scent. Might be worth trying something neutral or sweet to balance things out.
I totally get the struggle with peppermint being too strong. Reminds me of when I first got braces and decided to make my own clove oil to soothe some of the soreness. Thought it’d be easy, right? Well, I ended up with something so intense it made my eyes water just opening the bottle... seriously, it was like concentrated Christmas spice gone wrong.
Anyway, after panicking a bit (okay, a lot), I tried diluting it with some almond oil. It helped mellow things out nicely—still spicy but way less overwhelming. Your vanilla extract idea sounds pretty clever too; something sweet and mild seems like a good call. Honestly, experimenting at home always makes me nervous, but it's reassuring to know I'm not the only one who's had these little mishaps.
Diluting with almond oil sounds smart, but vanilla extract might make it smell a bit too dessert-like for me. Maybe something neutral like jojoba oil could balance things out without adding sweetness... ever tried that?
Yeah, jojoba oil's a solid choice—neutral scent and absorbs nicely. I've used it before when my homemade peppermint extract turned out way too intense (seriously, eyes-watering intense). Jojoba mellowed it out without adding any weird sweetness or heaviness. Almond oil can sometimes feel a bit greasy to me, especially if you're using it on skin or lips. Have you considered grapeseed oil? It's another neutral option that's pretty lightweight and doesn't mess with the scent much.
