Orange Blossom / Neroli Essential Oil (Tunisia)

What is Orange Blossom Essential Oil (Neroli)?

Orange Blossom Essential Oil, also known as Neroli, is one of the most prized and precious essential oils in aromatherapy and perfumery. The scent is soft, floral, fresh and slightly sweet, with a typical honey-like underlayer. The Latin name is Citrus Aurantium Amara, and the oil is extracted from the white flowers of the bitter orange tree. Our Neroli comes from Tunisia, one of the best-known areas of origin for high-quality neroli.

Neroli is particularly precious because 10 ml of essential oil requires about 1 kilogram of flowers, which must be picked by hand before they fall open. This explains the higher price compared to other essential oils, and also why Neroli is dosed so sparingly.

Neroli blends beautifully with other floral oils such as jasmine, rose, ylang ylang and lavender, with woody oils such as sandalwood and cedarwood, and with other citrus oils such as bergamot and mandarin. It is a key ingredient in fine perfumery and in luxury skincare.

How is Orange Blossom Essential Oil made?

Neroli is extracted by steam distillation of the white blossoms of the bitter orange tree. The flowers are carefully hand-picked, often in the early morning when the scent is at its most intense. They are then exposed to steam, which releases the volatile aromatic components.

Unlike citrus oils that come from the peel, Neroli does not contain furocoumarins. The oil is therefore not phototoxic and can be used for sunlight without restriction. The same plant produces three different essential oils: Neroli (from the blossom), Petitgrain (from the leaves and twigs) and Bitter Orange (from the peel of the fruit). Each has its own aromatic profile and its own applications.

Benefits of Orange Blossom Essential Oil

Non-phototoxic
Unlike many other oils in the citrus family, Neroli can be worn on the skin during the day without worry. This makes it particularly suitable for day creams and perfumes.

Provides strength and calmness in the face of strong emotions
The soft, floral scent of neroli reassures body and mind. It is traditionally appreciated for anxiety, sadness, mourning, and for strong emotions during the menstrual cycle. One of the most appreciated oils for emotional support.

Supports skin cell renewal
Neroli is a popular ingredient in anti-aging skincare. The oil supports cell renewal and is traditionally used to slow down aging processes. Add a drop to your facial oil or day or night cream.

Sensual and invigorating
The soft, sensual scent of neroli is a classic in romantic and intimate rituals. A drop in a massage oil creates a sophisticated, relaxing atmosphere.

Classic in fine perfumery
Neroli is a key ingredient in countless classic perfumes, including Eau de Cologne. An excellent choice for your own DIY perfume or a refined diffuser blend.

How to use Orange Blossom Essential Oil?

When using on the skin, always dilute essential oil in a carrier oil or butter. For homemade care, we recommend a working dose of 1 percent (1 gram per 100 grams of product). Read the explanation below for more information. Suitable carriers are, for example, Jojoba Oil, Zoete Amandelolie of Shea Butter.

In a face serum or night cream
Neroli is excellent for anti-aging skin care. Add to your DIY face serum for a refined aroma and skin-supporting effect.

In a DIY perfume
Neroli works beautifully as a heart note in a refined perfume. Combine with bergamot as the top note and sandalwood as the base note for a classic, timeless perfume.

In a diffuser
Put 2 to 4 drops in a aroma diffuser for a soothing, floral atmosphere. Combine with Lavender For extra relaxation, ideal for the bedroom.

Inhalation in case of strong emotions
Put 1 drop on a tissue or in your hands, make a tub and breathe in the scent deeply. A simple and effective ritual for moments of fear, sadness or overwhelm.

In a sensual massage oil
Mix 60 ml carrier oil with 6 drops of Neroli and 2 drops zoete amandelolie as a carrier oil for a refined, sensual massage.

What is the difference with Petitgrain and Bitter Orange?

The bitter orange tree (Citrus Aurantium Amara) provides three different essential oils, each with its own character:

• Neroli: from the blossom, soft, floral, precious, not phototoxic.
• Petitgrain: from the leaves and twigs, fresh, spicy, more affordable, not phototoxic.
• Bitter Orange: from the skin, fresh, sharp, phototoxic (we do not have these in our range).

For a lighter, more affordable alternative to neroli, you can Petitgrain consider. The scent shares some facets but is clearly different, fresher and spicier.

What you didn't know about Orange Blossom Essential Oil

Anne Marie Orsini, the 17th-century princess of Nerola (Italy), was a huge fan of the effects of orange blossom. She perfumed her gloves, scarves, bath water and even her handwritten letters with it. To honour her, orange blossom was nicknamed Neroli, a name that is still used in perfumery today.

Tips for using Orange Blossom Essential Oil

• Store the oil in a cool, dark place. Proper storage extends the shelf life considerably.
• Always close the bottle tightly after use. Contact with air can cause the oil to lose its fragrance and effect more quickly.
• Test on a small area of skin before using the oil for the first time, especially if you have sensitive skin.
• Always work with grams and percentages, not drops. Droplets vary in size and make it difficult to stay within safe limits.
• Neroli is a precious oil. Dose sparingly, often half a gram is enough to noticeably transform a formulation.

Points of attention and side effects

Orange Blossom Essential Oil (Neroli) is not phototoxic and can therefore be used for sunlight without restriction. However, it remains important to always use the oil diluted, never pure on the skin.

Our practical working dose: 1 percent
For homemade care, we recommend a dosage of 1 percent (1 gram per 100 grams of product). Essential oils naturally contain allergens such as limonene, linalool, and geraniol. When you combine multiple essential oils in one recipe, these allergens accumulate and you can quickly exceed the legal allergen limits. A working dose of 1 percent gives you the space to use multiple oils in one recipe without going over those limits. For neroli, an even lower dose is often sufficient due to the intensity of the aroma.

For products that you rinse off, such as soap, shower gel or shampoo, longer maximums apply because the oil does not remain on the skin.

Not recommended for use during pregnancy without consultation with an expert. Keep out of reach of children. When in doubt or with sensitive skin, always test on a small area first and wait 24 hours before using it on larger areas. Not intended to be ingested.