7 min read / 10 December 2021 / Laura Garvin Gomez
Benefits and Uses of Neroli Oil
Fragrant neroli has long-standing associations with royalty and luxurious living.

It takes around one thousand pounds of handpicked orange blossom flowers to produce a bottle of pure Mediterranean Neroli oil.
So, it’s little wonder that the oil has always been so closely associated with luxury.
Famously considered to be the scent of royalty throughout history, neroli’s rich and floral aroma is a decadent base note, often used in perfumes and other luxury cosmetics.
Not only is the oil made from a huge quantity of flowers, but it is also only extracted from the highest quality blooms. Only very freshly picked, completely undamaged flowers can be used.
For these reasons, pure absolute neroli oil is very expensive, and it is therefore common for retailers to sell commercial grade neroli oil instead.
Whilst less powerful than pure neroli oil, commercial grade neroli still retains the same enriching benefits, and the lower concentration of nerol and nerolidol in the oil makes it gentler on the skin.

What is Neroli Essential oil?Sometimes called “Orange Blossom Oil”, and also known by the botanical name Citrus Aurantium, neroli essential oil is extracted via steam distillation from the very gentle, white blossoms of the bitter orange tree. Native to Southeast Asia, this delicate little oil is a pale yellow to clear in colour, possessing a light and floral scent with notes of citrus and rich sweetness. Its frequent use in cosmetics relates not only to its beautiful natural aroma, but furthermore to its incredible properties as a skin tonic. This has led neroli to be associated with achieving a more luxurious and youthful appearance. |
What are the health benefits of Neroli Essential Oil?
Aside from its lovely scent and luxurious associations, neroli also contains a host of impactful benefits for the body and mind. Neroli is known to help:
- Manage pain
- Reduce stress
- Soothe skin
- Improve menopause symptoms
Can neroli essential oil help manage and reduce pain?
A study in 2015 found that the constituents in neroli have the ability to reduce both acute and chronic inflammation.
This can help to reduce discomfort and prevent the pain that can come with swollen muscles, joints, and tissues.
The same study also found that neroli has the ability to reduce central and peripheral sensitivity to pain, lessening the body’s ability to register the pain and reducing its impact on functioning.
Diluting neroli oil with a carrier oil such as jojoba, sweet almond, or rosehip and applying a small amount to affected areas can help to ease swelling and soreness – just make sure to avoid broken skin.
A study performed on women in the first stage of labour also concluded that the presence of neroli helped to limit their experience of pain, as well as reduce their feelings of overall anxiety throughout the process.
Can neroli oil help reduce stress?
Neroli has long been associated with calming, stress-relieving qualities. In fact, the oil was considered an aphrodisiac in many cultures due to its ability to calm nerves and improve confidence.
A study in 2012 found that including neroli in an aromatic blend led to a decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, lessening both the maximum pressure exerted by the heart when beating and the amount of pressure in arteries between heartbeats.
The neroli-based aromatic blend also decreased salivary cortisol levels. Cortisol is often referred to as the ‘stress hormone’, and so lower levels of cortisol in the saliva indicate a lower level of anxiety.
Inhaling neroli is also known to help the brain release higher levels of serotonin, promoting happier emotions that in turn reduce stress.
Using neroli oil for skin
One of the more neroli essential oil benefits, the oil’s impact on the skin is considered one of its greatest assets.
Firstly, neroli oil is known to regenerate skin cells, which can in turn help to smooth wrinkles and clear stretch marks.
It also has astringent properties, which allow it to increase the elasticity of the skin, promoting a brighter, more youthful appearance.
Perhaps its most valuable benefit for the skin, however, falls in its strong antimicrobial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties.
The Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences helped to prove these strengths along with another variety of small studies.
These properties indicate neroli’s impactful ability to help cleanse skin, get rid of harmful bacteria, and reduce acne breakouts as well as other forms of skin irritation.
To round out the list, its stress-relieving properties also help it to reduce the appearance of stress-induced skin conditions.
Find out how to make your own restorative skin tonic using neroli oil and geranium oil here.
Neroli oil may improve symptoms of menopause.
A study in 2014 found that the practice of breathing in neroli essential oil improved symptoms of postmenopausal women.
Its stress-relieving properties led to a decrease in diastolic blood pressure and an improvement in pulse rate. It also balanced serum cortisol levels and oestrogen concentrations.
Researchers concluded that neroli oil helps to increase libido and lower stress in postmenopausal women.
Similarly, neroli essential oil has been shown to decrease many premenstrual (PMS) symptoms including mood swings, pain and discomfort, and bloating.
How to use Neroli Essential Oil
Aromatherapy
Many neroli essential oil benefits can be unlocked through the common practice of aromatherapy.
Diffusing this beautifully gentle scent around your home can help facilitate feelings of calm and serenity as well as promoting an atmosphere of luxury.
Combine 5-7 drops of the oil with water and add to an oil burner or diffuser for a sweet, floral, and citrusy scent.
Alternatively, you can simply hold a bottle of neroli essential oil to your nose and gently inhale or add a few drops to a tissue or cotton ball for on-the-go aromatherapy.
Massage
Neroli oil’s naturally powerful qualities for skin, including its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties as well as its ability to reduce pain, make it a great choice for an at-home massage.
Dilute 5 drops to 10ml of carrier oil (such as sweet almond or jojoba oil) and massage evenly into the skin.
Applying diluted neroli oil to your abdomen can also help with pre-mensural pain and discomfort.
We always advise performing a patch test before applying neroli essential oil on the skin.
Bath
Add 6-8 drops of neroli essential oil to warm bathwater for a calming and stress-relieving experience for the mind and body.
Adding neroli oil to your bath can carry many of the same therapeutic benefits as aromatherapy, as the scent will carry through and fill the air with an uplifting floral aroma.
Skincare
Add a couple of drops of neroli essential oil to a carrier oil (such as sweet almond or jojoba oil) or your chosen lotion and spread evenly, or onto affected areas (remember to avoid open cuts!)
Neroli oil makes for a highly effective acne treatment due to its excellent antibacterial properties, and can be used to spot treat these areas as well as create an effective skin-tightening cleanser.
We always advise performing a patch test before using neroli essential oil on the skin.
Soap & Candles
Suitable for soap making and candle making. We recommend following a tested recipe.
Looking for creative ways to use your neroli essential oil? Discover a number of fun candle and soap recipes in our Make at Home blog section.
History of Neroli Essential Oil
Thought to be named for Princess Anne Maria de la Tremoille of Nerola, Italy, who used the fragrance to perfume her gloves and bath, neroli has a long history of being favoured by those in high places.
Ancient Egyptian priests and priestesses used neroli scent houses of worship, and due to its presence in Ancient Chinese wedding bouquets, eligible Chinese men looking for a wife were said to be ‘gathering orange blossoms’.
Neroli oil was also high traded in ancient Egypt and China for its medicinal purposes, which were later even used to help fight the plague.
Luxurious neroli is not only rich in restorative properties, but its delicate scent combines notes of citrus and florals to deliver a truly indulgent experience.
This royal-approved oil is definitely worth the thousands of flowers it takes to make it.
Shop our neroli essential oil here.
Product Name |
100% Pure Neroli (Indian) Essential Oil |
Botanical Name | Citrus Aurantium |
Scent Type | Floral |
Benefits & Uses | Anti-Inflammatory, Skin, Relaxing |
Suitable for Diffusers? | Yes, this neroli (indian) essential oil is perfect for diffusers. |
Suitable for Candles and Soaps? | Yes, this neroli (indian) essential oil is perfect for candle and soap making. |
Extraction Method | Steam Distillation |
Bottle Type | Tamper proof and UV resistant |