Neroli Essential Oil

Neroli Essential Oil is distilled from the white flowers of the bitter orange tree, Citrus aurantium var. amara. It smells sweet and green at once: a clean orange-blossom floral with a bitter citrus-peel edge underneath, the note you catch walking past a flowering citrus tree rather than the smell of the fruit.

The oil is obtained through steam distillation or hydrodistillation of the fresh blossoms. Linalool, linalyl acetate and limonene carry most of that sweet floral character.

Neroli is also sold as orange blossom oil, and it is one of the classic notes in traditional cologne and floral perfumery. A little goes a long way, since the aroma is delicate but persistent. As a concentrated oil it is for external use only: dilute it in a carrier oil before it touches the skin, keep it away from the eyes, and check for sensitivity first if you have allergies or sensitive skin.

How to use it

Neroli is used in natural perfumes, in skincare formulations, in massage blends and in diffusers, where it gives a calm, settled room scent. It blends with Jasmine, Rose, Sandalwood and Lavender, and with other floral and citrus oils. Technique tip: pair it with a woody base such as sandalwood, which holds the light citrus top in place so it does not vanish within the hour.

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