# Tangerine essential oil

> Tangerine is a sweet, sunny citrus oil loved for its cheerful aroma and its low risk of causing photosensitivity.

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

Type: Single oil

## At a glance

- **Botanical name:** Citrus reticulata
- **Plant part:** Fruit peel
- **Extraction:** Cold-pressed
- **Aroma:** Sweet, sunny citrus
- **Origin:** Mediterranean
- **Blends with:** Lavender, geranium, cedarwood, grapefruit

## Composition (GC-MS research aggregate)

Based on 38 GC-MS samples from 18 peer-reviewed papers (2021–2026); Strong evidence base. 84 compounds reported in total. Typical share of the oil (median, with interquartile range):

| Compound | Class | Median % | IQR % | Max % | Papers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| limonene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 68.6 | 55.41–72.53 | 98.44 | 17 |
| γ-terpinene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 9.61 | 1.87–12.65 | 26.29 | 13 |
| α-pinene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 1.74 | 1.39–2.54 | 5.32 | 14 |
| myrcene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 1.87 | 1.19–2.2 | 8 | 13 |
| β-pinene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 1.14 | 0.92–2.31 | 12.98 | 13 |
| linalool | Oxygenated monoterpene | 0.85 | 0.39–2.29 | 10.99 | 14 |
| terpinolene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 0.91 | 0.63–1.39 | 1.49 | 7 |
| terpinen-4-ol | Oxygenated monoterpene | 0.59 | 0.36–0.83 | 1.34 | 10 |
| α-terpineol | Oxygenated monoterpene | 0.46 | 0.3–1.4 | 1.84 | 11 |

Chemotypes seen in the samples: limonene (79% of samples).

## Key constituents

- **Limonene** (90-95%) — The dominant compound in all citrus peel oils; gives tangerine its sweet, sunny citrus aroma
- **Gamma-terpinene** (1-3%) — Minor supporting terpene common to citrus oils

## How to use it

- **In the diffuser:** 3–5 drops creates a cheerful, uplifting atmosphere well suited to daytime use.
- **On skin:** Dilute before topical application and patch-test first, as with any oil.

## Safety

- Tangerine has very low levels of the furanocoumarins behind phototoxicity, making it a gentler citrus for sun exposure — but still dilute and patch-test before topical use.
- Maximum dermal use: Dilute in a carrier oil for skin.
- Cold-pressed tangerine/mandarin is generally considered non-phototoxic (unlike bergamot, lemon, and lime) — but dilute for skin anyway.
- Citrus oils oxidise quickly; store cool and sealed.
- Keep out of reach of children.

## What the research says

- Tangerine oil is limonene-dominant, a terpene with antioxidant activity reported in laboratory studies. That's a chemistry finding, not a proven health benefit of the oil. — Shah et al. (2018), Asian J. of Pharmacy and Pharmacology (https://doi.org/10.31024/ajpp.2018.4.6.25)

## Evidence

- Cold-pressed tangerine peel oil is around 90% limonene, giving it a sweet, gentle citrus aroma. — Foods study (2022) (https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12010057)

## Frequently asked questions

### Is tangerine oil phototoxic?

Cold-pressed tangerine and mandarin are generally considered non-phototoxic, unlike bergamot, lemon, and lime. It's still a good idea to dilute it for skin, but there's usually no sun-exposure restriction.

### Is tangerine the same as mandarin?

They're very closely related Citrus reticulata varieties with near-identical, limonene-dominant oils. Aromatically they're almost interchangeable — sweet, soft, and gently citrusy.

### Why does tangerine oil fade fast?

Like all cold-pressed citrus oils, it's limonene-rich and oxidises quickly. Keep it cool, sealed, and out of light, and use it within a year or so.

## Sources (GC-MS studies)

- Shi J, Peng L, Chen W, Qiao W, Wang K, Xu Y, Cheng J. Evaluation of chemical components and quality in Xinhui Chenpi (Citrus reticulata 'Chachi') with two different storage times by GC-MS and UPLC. _Food science & nutrition_, 2024. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC11266906
- Rashed MMA, You L, Ghaleb ADS, Du Y. Two-Phase Extraction Processes, Physicochemical Characteristics, and Autoxidation Inhibition of the Essential Oil Nanoemulsion of Citrus reticulata Blanco (Tangerine) Leaves. _Foods (Basel, Switzerland)_, 2022. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC9818749
- Song Z, Xu J, Tian J, Deng J, Deng X, Peng M, Luo W, Wei M, Li Y, Zheng G. Differentiating Tangerine Peels from Other Citrus reticulata through GC-MS, UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap-MS, and HPLC-PDA. _ACS omega_, 2025. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC11739967
- Fahmy NM, Elhady SS, Bannan DF, Malatani RT, Gad HA. Citrus reticulata Leaves Essential Oil as an Antiaging Agent: A Comparative Study between Different Cultivars and Correlation with Their Chemical Compositions. _Plants (Basel, Switzerland)_, 2022. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC9735646
- Venkatachalam K, Charoenphun N, Noonim P, Pechwang J, Senthong P, Lekjing S. Comprehensive Analysis of Physicochemical Properties, Structure, Bioactive Potential, and Flavor Profiles of Tangerine Pericarp Powder from Different Varieties. _ACS omega_, 2026. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13325160
- Abdelkader RMM, Hamed DA, Abdel-Khalek HH. Combinational effect of gamma irradiation and sustainable bioactive absorbent bacterial cellulose pads impregnated with tangerine essential oil against some bacterial fish fillet-borne pathogens. _Bioresources and bioprocessing_, 2026. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13144468
- Cao J, Zheng W, Chen B, Yan Z, Tang X, Li J, Zhang Z, Ang S, Li C, Wu R, Wu P, Chen WH. Chemical Composition of Essential Oil from Citrus reticulata Blanco cv. Chachiensis (Chachi) and Its Anti-Mosquito Activity against Pyrethroid-Resistant Aedes albopictus. _Insects_, 2024. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC11122156
- Zhong W, Xiong Y, Luo J, Ahmad S, Wang J. Integrative GC-MS, network pharmacology, and molecular dynamics elucidate synergistic anti-diabetic mechanisms of Chongqing Citrus reticulata 'Dahongpao' volatile oil via multi-target stabilization. _PloS one_, 2026. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC12810852
- Xu H, Zou J, Gan X, Wang F, Chen L, Chen H, Hu Y, Liu Y. Unraveling the volatile profile and bioactivity of Zhoupigan (<i>Citrus reticulata</i> cv. Manau Gan) essential oil via HS-GC-IMS and HS-SPME-GC-MS: a comprehensive evaluation of different extraction techniques. _Frontiers in nutrition_, 2026. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC12992264
- Argote-Vega FE, Delgado-Ospina J, Suárez-Montenegro ZJ, Arteaga-Cabrera EH, Chaves-López C, Pérez-Álvarez JÁ. Antibacterial Activity of Nanoemulsions Prepared with Essential and Seed Oils Against Isolated Bacteria from Rainbow Trout (<i>Oncorhynchus mykiss</i>). _Foods (Basel, Switzerland)_, 2026. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13361915
- Campos S, Espinoza J, Fuentes JM, Jofré-Fernández I, Tortella G, Navarro D, Quiroz A, Diez MC, Rubilar O, Fincheira P. The Impact of Essential Oils Derived from Citrus Species to Control <i>Botrytis cinerea</i> and Their Potential Physiological Actions. _Plants (Basel, Switzerland)_, 2025. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC12196830
- Khanh Nguyen NP, Kwon JH, Kim MK, Tran KN, Huong Nguyen LT, Yang IJ. Antidepressant and anxiolytic potential of Citrus reticulata Blanco essential oil: a network pharmacology and animal model study. _Frontiers in pharmacology_, 2024. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC10985240
- Zou J, Wang P, Xu H, Gan X, Zhang H, Chen L, Chen H, Wang F, Hu Y, Liu Y. Metabolic profile and bioactivity of the peel of Zhoupigan (Citrus reticulata cv. Manau Gan), a special citrus variety in China, based on GC-MS, UPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis, and in vitro assay. _Food chemistry: X_, 2024. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC11367054
- Elmaidomy AH, Abdel-Maqsoud NMR, Tammam OY, Abdel-Rahman IM, Elrehany MA, Bakhsh HT, Altemani FH, Algehainy NA, Alzubaidi MA, Alsenani F, Sayed AM, Abdelmohsen UR, Zahran EM. Egyptian mandarin peel oil's anti-scabies potential via downregulation-of-inflammatory/immune-cross-talk: GC-MS and PPI network studies. _Scientific reports_, 2023. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC10469216
- Sreepian A, Popruk S, Nutalai D, Phutthanu C, Sreepian PM. Antibacterial Activities and Synergistic Interaction of Citrus Essential Oils and Limonene with Gentamicin against Clinically Isolated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. _TheScientificWorldJournal_, 2022. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC8901352
- Ali HM, Elgat WAAA, El-Hefny M, Salem MZM, Taha AS, Al Farraj DA, Elshikh MS, Hatamleh AA, Abdel-Salam EM. New Approach for Using of Mentha longifolia L. and Citrus reticulata L. Essential Oils as Wood-Biofungicides: GC-MS, SEM, and MNDO Quantum Chemical Studies. _Materials (Basel, Switzerland)_, 2021. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC7998113
- EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP), Bampidis V, Azimonti G, Bastos ML, Christensen H, Kouba M, Fašmon Durjava M, López-Alonso M, López Puente S, Marcon F, Mayo B, Pechová A, Petkova M, Ramos F, Ramos F, Sanz Y, Villa RE, Woutersen R, Brantom P, Chesson A, Westendorf J, Manini P, Pizzo F, Dusemund B. Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of expressed mandarin oil from the fruit peels of Citrus reticulata Blanco for use in all animal species (FEFANA asbl). _EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority_, 2021. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC8190682
- Bava R, Castagna F, Piras C, Palma E, Cringoli G, Musolino V, Lupia C, Perri MR, Statti G, Britti D, Musella V. In Vitro Evaluation of Acute Toxicity of Five Citrus spp. Essential Oils towards the Parasitic Mite Varroa destructor. _Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)_, 2021. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC8466118

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