# Neroli essential oil

> Neroli is steam-distilled from bitter orange blossoms — a delicate floral citrus oil best known for its calming, uplifting aroma.

Canonical page: https://essential-oils.club/oils/single/neroli

Type: Single oil

## At a glance

- **Botanical name:** Citrus aurantium
- **Plant part:** Blossoms (flowers)
- **Extraction:** Steam-distilled
- **Aroma:** Soft, sweet floral
- **Origin:** Italy
- **Blends with:** Bergamot, petitgrain, orange

## Composition

- Linalool: 35%
- Limonene: 15%
- Linalyl acetate: 12%
- (E)-β-Ocimene: 6%
- α-Terpineol: 5%
- Nerolidol: 3%

Source: Ammar et al. (2012), Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences (https://doi.org/10.3923/pjbs.2012.1034.1040)

## Key constituents

- **Linalool** (35-45%) — The dominant floral-woody compound behind neroli's soft character
- **Limonene** (10-15%) — A bright citrus note reflecting neroli's bitter-orange origin
- **Linalyl acetate** (5-15%) — Adds a light, sweet facet common in orange-blossom oils

## How to use it

- **In the diffuser:** 2–3 drops delivers a calming, uplifting floral note for self-care or perfume-style blends.
- **On skin:** Dilute to 1–2% in a carrier oil — a classic soft floral note in skincare blends.

## Safety

- Neroli comes from the blossom, not the peel, so it doesn't carry the phototoxicity risk of cold-pressed citrus oils — still, dilute for topical use.
- Maximum dermal use: Dilute in a carrier oil for skin.
- A gentle, well-tolerated oil; it contains linalool, a recognised allergen, so patch-test if sensitive.
- Not phototoxic — unlike cold-pressed bitter orange peel, distilled neroli carries no phototoxic coumarins.
- Keep out of reach of children.

## What the research says

- Neroli oil has been characterised chemically and studied for antioxidant and antimicrobial activity in the laboratory. Its calming, mood-lifting reputation is traditional and preliminary, not clinically established. — Ammar et al. (2012), Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences (https://doi.org/10.3923/pjbs.2012.1034.1040)

## Evidence

- Neroli is a soft floral oil dominated by linalool with linalyl acetate and limonene — a gentler, sweeter profile than the bitter-orange peel oil from the same tree. — Ammar et al. (2012), Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences (https://doi.org/10.3923/pjbs.2012.1034.1040)

## Frequently asked questions

### What is neroli made from?

Neroli is distilled from the blossoms of the bitter orange tree (Citrus aurantium). The same tree gives petitgrain (from leaves/twigs) and bitter orange (from peel) — three distinct oils.

### Is neroli phototoxic like other citrus oils?

No. Because neroli is distilled from flowers rather than cold-pressed from peel, it doesn't carry the phototoxic coumarins found in citrus peel oils, so there's no sun-exposure restriction.

### Why is neroli so expensive?

It takes a large quantity of hand-picked orange blossoms to distil a small amount of oil, which is why genuine neroli is among the pricier floral oils.

_Educational reference only — not medical advice. Essential oils are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease._