Geranium oil (rose geranium essential oil)

Q: What are the benefits of rose geranium oil in cosmetics?

CosIng classifies it as a fragrance. It is first of all a fragrance ingredient: we kept no clinical trial on skin. The data available come from the laboratory: antioxidant activity and in vitro SPF, cultured cells.

Q: Is geranium oil allergenic?

It can be. In an animal test, the oil is negative, but EFSA considers it a skin sensitizer. Geraniol and linalool are recognized fragrance allergens. Tolerance tests on the finished product remain the rule.

Geranium essential oil is the oil of Pelargonium graveolens, the rose-scented geranium1. It is rich in citronellol and geraniol4, two fragrance allergens named in Annex III3. The oil itself has been listed there since Regulation (EU) 2023/1545: it must be declared above 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products2.

Mohamed El HjoujiFounder and CEO · Updated November 3, 2026 · Reading time 8 min

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Geranium oil at a glance

Entry from our cosmetic ingredient glossary. Regulatory data from the European Commission's CosIng database1 and Regulation (EU) 2023/15452. Copy the identifiers in one click for your files.

INCI name: PELARGONIUM GRAVEOLENS FLOWER OIL
Other names: Rose geranium essential oilGeranium oil, rose-scented geranium oil. CosIng mentions "Bourbon geranium"1
CAS number: 90082-51-2 / 8000-46-2
EC number: 290-140-0Linked to CAS 90082-51-2; no EC number for CAS 8000-46-21
Botanical origin: Rose geranium (Pelargonium graveolens, Geraniaceae)CosIng: volatile oil obtained from the flowers1. Studies on the oil rather describe a distillation of the leaves or aerial parts5 8
Composition: Citronellol, geraniol, citronellyl formate, linaloolProportions vary by sample: citronellol from 5.5 to 29.7%, geraniol from 6.2 to 14.6%4 5 6. 450 to 500 compounds identified in some geranium oils9
CosIng function: Fragrance"Fragrance"1
EU status: Named in Annex III, line 364Line added by Regulation (EU) 2023/1545; CosIng refers to III/3642 1
Allergen to declare: Yes, under its INCI nameAbove 0.001% in a leave-on product and 0.01% in a rinse-off product. Its constituents citronellol (line 86), geraniol (line 78) and linalool (line 84) are also named. Non-compliant products may be placed on the market until 31 July 2026 and made available until 31 July 20282 3
Safety: No CIR assessment retainedNo CIR panel report found on this oil. EFSA considers it irritating to skin and eyes and a skin sensitizer (opinion on an animal feed additive)8

What the research says

Each result shows the protocol and the level of evidence. The higher the level, the better the result carries over to a finished formula.

Clinical trialReview or consensusLaboratory

Oil compositionChemistry

Citronellol and geraniol lead

Laboratory

GC-MS99.2% of identified volatile compounds

β-Citronellol (29.7%) and geraniol (14.6%) dominate the oil studied4. Another sample gives β-citronellol (21.9%), citronellyl formate (13.2%), geraniol (11.1%) and linalool (5.6%)5.

A profile that changes with origin

Laboratory

Oil from EgyptMeta-analysis of the literature

In the oil studied, isomenthone (15.7%) and epi-α-cadinol (15.5%) come ahead of geraniol (6.2%) and citronellol (5.5%). The meta-analysis shows a negative correlation between citronellol and geraniol6. The profile therefore changes from one batch to another.

Skin sensitizationToxicology

Negative in the mouse lymph node test

Laboratory

LLNA test, miceOil tested from 2.5 to 50%

Geranium oil is negative, whereas geraniol alone gives an estimated concentration of 11.4% (weak potential). The authors note that the potency of an oil generally does not differ from that of its main constituent7.

Classed as irritating and sensitizing for the user

Review

2023 EFSA opinionAnimal feed additive

The opinion concludes that the oil should be considered irritating to skin and eyes, and a sensitizer of skin and respiratory tract8. The two results complement each other: a negative animal test does not remove the mandatory declaration.

Skin: limited evidenceSkincare

A sun protection factor measured in vitro

Laboratory

Spectroscopic methodRadical scavenging test (NO and DPPH)

The oil scavenges free radicals and shows an in vitro SPF of 6.45. This figure does not carry over to a finished product: it replaces no sun protection test10.

Activity on cultured fibroblasts

Laboratory

Pre-inflamed human dermal fibroblastsTen essential oils tested

All the oils tested, geranium included, slow the proliferation of these cells. Laboratory study: it says nothing about an effect on human skin11.

This page summarizes published literature on a cosmetic ingredient. It does not describe the effect of a finished product, which depends on its formula, and it is not medical advice. Evidence is flagged by level: clinical trial, review or laboratory.

Which products can use geranium oil?

No formula in our white label catalog features geranium oil yet. Our formulation lab can add it to a custom formula or to a catalog formula. Its common uses:

Face

Floral waters and care with a rosy note, with caution on tolerance: the oil is first of all a fragrance ingredient.

Body

Scented massage oil, body milk, soap and shower gel, care candles with a rosy note.

Hair

Scented shampoos and leave-in care; we found no published study on hair.

Geranium, ylang ylang, patchouli or rosewood?

Four fragrance essential oils often compared. Their chemistry differs, and so does their labeling status.

	Geranium	Ylang ylang	Patchouli	Rosewood
Dominant constituents	β-citronellol (29.7%) and geraniol (14.6%) in one sample4	Linalool, geranyl acetate, benzyl benzoate12	Patchouli alcohol (about 28% in the oil studied)13	Linalool (93.6% in one oil studied)14
Annex III	Oil named (line 364)2	Oil named (line 347)2	Oil named (line 365)2	Oil not named; linalool named (line 84)3

Frequently asked questions about geranium oil

What is geranium essential oil?

It is the volatile oil of Pelargonium graveolens, the rose-scented geranium1. Its INCI name is PELARGONIUM GRAVEOLENS FLOWER OIL. It is rich in citronellol and geraniol, in proportions that vary with origin4 5.

What are the benefits of rose geranium oil in cosmetics?

CosIng classifies it as a fragrance1. It is first of all a fragrance ingredient: we kept no clinical trial on skin. The data available come from the laboratory: antioxidant activity and in vitro SPF10, cultured cells11.

Do I have to declare geranium oil in the ingredient list?

Yes. Since Regulation (EU) 2023/1545, Pelargonium graveolens oil is named in Annex III (line 364) and is declared above 0.001% in a leave-on product and 0.01% in a rinse-off product2. The citronellol, geraniol and linalool it contains are also named allergens3. Non-compliant products may be placed on the market until 31 July 2026 and made available until 31 July 2028.

Is geranium oil allergenic?

It can be. In an animal test, the oil is negative7, but EFSA considers it a skin sensitizer8. Geraniol and linalool are recognized fragrance allergens3. Tolerance tests on the finished product remain the rule.

What is the difference between rose geranium and geranium oil?

"Rose geranium" refers to the plant, Pelargonium graveolens. The essential oil is its distilled volatile fraction. Its composition varies: citronellol and geraniol dominate in some samples, isomenthone and epi-α-cadinol in others6. A specification should therefore be set with the supplier.

Does geranium oil carry risks?

No concentration limit applies to the oil, but its labeling is mandatory2. The point of caution is skin sensitization and irritation8. During pregnancy, as with any skincare product, a healthcare professional's advice remains the rule.

Can you manufacture a geranium product for my brand?

Yes, we study its integration depending on the availability of the material. Our ISO 22716 certified lab can add it to a customized catalog formula, or design it into a custom formula, with the allergen declaration calculation. Samples are free.

Sources

Peer-reviewed studies and official regulatory sources, checked on November 3, 2026.

European Commission. CosIng, entry PELARGONIUM GRAVEOLENS FLOWER OIL (CAS 90082-51-2 / 8000-46-2, EC 290-140-0). ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing
Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/1545 of 26 July 2023 amending Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards labelling of fragrance allergens in cosmetic products (Annex III). eur-lex.europa.eu
Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council on cosmetic products, consolidated version of 1 May 2025 (Annexes II to VI). eur-lex.europa.eu
Kačániová M, Vukic M, Vukovic NL, Čmiková N, Verešová A, Schwarzová M, et al. An In-Depth Study on the Chemical Composition and Biological Effects of Pelargonium graveolens Essential Oil. Foods. 2023;13(1):33. doi:10.3390/foods13010033
Boukhris M, Simmonds MS, Sayadi S, Bouaziz M. Chemical composition and biological activities of polar extracts and essential oil of rose-scented geranium, Pelargonium graveolens. Phytother Res. 2013;27(8):1206-13. doi:10.1002/ptr.4853
Fekri N, El Amir D, Owis A, AbouZid S. Studies on essential oil from rose-scented geranium, Pelargonium graveolens L'Hérit. (Geraniaceae). Nat Prod Res. 2021;35(15):2593-2597. doi:10.1080/14786419.2019.1682581
Lalko J, Api AM. Investigation of the dermal sensitization potential of various essential oils in the local lymph node assay. Food Chem Toxicol. 2006;44(5):739-46. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2005.10.006
EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP), Bampidis V, Azimonti G, Bastos ML, Christensen H, Durjava M, et al. Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of an essential oil from the herbaceous parts of Pelargonium graveolens L'Hér. (geranium rose oil) for all animal species (FEFANA asbl). EFSA J. 2023;21(7):e08161. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2023.8161
de Groot AC, Schmidt E. Essential Oils, Part III: Chemical Composition. Dermatitis. 2016;27(4):161-9. doi:10.1097/DER.0000000000000193
Lohani A, Mishra AK, Verma A. Cosmeceutical potential of geranium and calendula essential oil: Determination of antioxidant activity and in vitro sun protection factor. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2019;18(2):550-557. doi:10.1111/jocd.12789
Han X, Beaumont C, Stevens N. Chemical composition analysis and in vitro biological activities of ten essential oils in human skin cells. Biochim Open. 2017;5:1-7. doi:10.1016/j.biopen.2017.04.001dōTERRA International (essential oil manufacturer)
Mrani SA, Zejli H, Azzouni D, Fadili D, Alanazi MM, Hassane SOS, et al. Chemical Composition, Antioxidant, Antibacterial, and Hemolytic Properties of Ylang-Ylang (Cananga odorata) Essential Oil: Potential Therapeutic Applications in Dermatology. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2024;17(10):1376. doi:10.3390/ph17101376
Lin RF, Feng XX, Li CW, Zhang XJ, Yu XT, Zhou JY, et al. Prevention of UV radiation-induced cutaneous photoaging in mice by topical administration of patchouli oil. J Ethnopharmacol. 2014;154(2):408-18. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2014.04.020
Teles AM, Silva-Silva JV, Fernandes JMP, Calabrese KDS, Abreu-Silva AL, Marinho SC, et al. Aniba rosaeodora (Var. amazonica Ducke) Essential Oil: Chemical Composition, Antibacterial, Antioxidant and Antitrypanosomal Activity. Antibiotics (Basel). 2020;10(1):24. doi:10.3390/antibiotics10010024

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Geranium oil at a glance

What the research says

Oil compositionChemistry

Citronellol and geraniol lead

A profile that changes with origin

Skin sensitizationToxicology

Negative in the mouse lymph node test

Classed as irritating and sensitizing for the user

Skin: limited evidenceSkincare

A sun protection factor measured in vitro

Activity on cultured fibroblasts

Which products can use geranium oil?

Face

Body

Hair

Geranium, ylang ylang, patchouli or rosewood?

Frequently asked questions about geranium oil

Further reading

Sources

Tell us about your project