Neroli oil stems from a flower (see what we did there) that is native to Asia, east Africa, and the Mediterranean, and was introduced to Europe during the crusades, where it is believed to be named by Ann Marie Orsini, Princess of Nerola, Italy who used this precious, fragrant oil in her bath and as perfume.
Neroli is the beautiful citrus-spice floral aroma from the blossom of the bitter orange tree (Citrus aurantium) and may also be known as orange blossom. It’s important to know that while orange blossom oil and neroli essential oil are derived from the same flower, their aromas greatly differ due to their different extraction methods. Orange blossom oil is extracted via a volatile solvent and has a warm, sweet scent, while neroli essential oil is steam-distilled and gives off a fresh, herbal citrus scent with a bit of spice.
The Neroli
What’s enchanting about the bitter orange tree is that it produces not just one, but three natural oils:
- bitter orange oil: derived from the peel of an almost ripened fruit
- petitgrain essential oil: sourced from the leaves of the bitter orange tree
- neroli essential oil: steam-distilled from the white flowers of the tree
Once picked, the coveted oil found in the delicate white flowers quickly begins to dry up, making it essential that the blossoms are handled with the utmost care to prevent bruising and ensure the highest potency of neroli oil is distilled. What’s more, it takes a whole lot of blossoms to produce a decent amount of this coveted oil. It literally takes a ton of blossoms to yield just an itty-bitty quart of neroli oil. The ROI is an exquisite essential oil with endless uses for home, wellness, beauty, and skincare.
The Luxe
Neroli oil has many uses around the home, in cosmetics, and of course our favorite, skincare. Here are a few ways neroli oil can be a great addition to your health and wellness needs:
antimicrobial & antifungal: the antimicrobial properties of neroli attributed to its limonene compound have been studied where activity was exhibited against bacteria, fungi, and yeast. Additionally, its antifungal properties were compared to standard antibiotic treatment – so cool!
skin-friendly: neroli plays well with all skin types to balance oil production and regenerate the skin.
age-friendly: thanks to its skin regenerating properties at the cellular level, neroli oil helps with wrinkles and blemishes. Add a few drops to your favorite moisturizer or carrier oil to elevate your skincare experience!
acne-banishing: this wonder oil is great at warding off acne due to its natural highly potent antibacterial properties.
glow-friendly: neroli has strong antioxidant properties to help neutralize free radicals, protect against environmental stressors, and maintain a radiant glow.
Other benefits of this wondrous oil include anti-inflammatory properties as well as the ability to reduce stress by having a calming effect on the senses. While essential oils are typically safe and effective, it never hurts to proceed with caution.
That being said, always do a patch test when applying to skin and dilute essential oils with a carrier oil (jojoba, coconut, sweet almond) to avoid burning and irritation. Be mindful that when incorporating citrus-based oils into your routine, some may burn skin when exposed to sunlight, as they are known to be phototoxic. Lastly, diffusing certain types of essential oils around children and pets may trigger allergies or other irritations – be mindful of those with sensitivities!
The Experience
Neroli oil is a dreamy aroma that can quickly uplift your mood and freshen up your surrounding. Here are some simple ways to get your neroli on.
Room and linen spray: fill a plastic-free spray bottle with equal parts distilled water and unscented witch hazel or rubbing alcohol (both optional, but helpful), add 25-40 drops of your favorite essential oil or blend and shake well. Recipes can be adjusted based on your preferred fragrance strength. Neroli pairs well with chamomile, clary sage, frankincense, geranium, grapefruit, jasmine, lavender, lemon, petitgrain, rose, sandalwood, and ylang-ylang, so get creative and get mixing!
Skincare: add a few drops of high-quality neroli oil to your face or body moisturizer for added benefits and an intoxicating aroma. Make your own scrumptious body butter by melting coconut oil, cocoa butter, shea butter, an optional carrier oil, and your choice of essential oils together on low heat and allow to cool. Once solid, whip it up in a mixer and place it in a glass jar for the ultimate luxurious body butter.
Here are a few product recommendations to experience neroli oil from some lovely green beauty brands.
- Neroli Facial Moisturizer by Skin Essence Organics
- Phoenix Facial Oil by Herbivore Botanicals
- Rose + Neroli Hydra-Vitalizing Treatment Mist by ODACITE
Did you know?
There is a dedicated day of the year to soak in the beauty of these dainty blooms. National Orange Blossom Day is on June 27.
It is believed that neroli oil is a secret ingredient in the classic coca-cola recipe.
I love neroli! It’s my favorite note in perfume and essential oil blends!