What is it?
An essential oil from Pelargonium graveolens, a fragrant plant in the geranium family and the source of the oil sold as geranium or Bourbon geranium oil. Its main constituents are citronellol, isomenthone and aromatic esters, with smaller amounts of geraniol and linalool. It is used to scent cosmetics, personal care products and perfumes.
Key information
- The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety classifies geranium oil as an established contact allergen.
- Products placed on the EU market after July 31, 2026, must name geranium oil on the label above 0.001 percent in leave-on or 0.01 percent in rinse-off products.
- IFRA restricts geraniol, one of the oil's constituents, because of skin sensitization and systemic toxicity.
More information
The oil’s makeup varies with where the plant is grown, and oil from Reunion and Madagascar, called Bourbon geranium, is considered the most valuable. One oil analyzed for a fragrance safety study contained 41.1 percent citronellol, 6.2 percent isomenthone, 4.9 percent geraniol and 2.1 percent linalool, plus rose oxide and several esters.
In 2012 the EU’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) reviewed patch-test data and classified geranium oil as an established contact allergen in humans. In two studies of patients already allergic to fragrance ingredients, 7.4 and 8.4 percent reacted to Bourbon geranium oil. In a mouse test of sensitizing potency, though, the oil was weak, with an EC3 value above 50 percent. The SCCS also notes that the oxidation products of geraniol and linalool, which form when they are exposed to air, are potent sensitizers in animal tests.
Following that opinion, the EU added geranium oil, listed as Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, to the fragrance allergens that must be named on labels above 0.001 percent in leave-on or 0.01 percent in rinse-off products placed on the market after July 31, 2026. Its constituents citronellol, geraniol and linalool were already on the list. IFRA separately restricts geraniol in finished products because of skin sensitization and systemic toxicity.
If you know you are allergic to fragrance ingredients, look for Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil, citronellol, geraniol and linalool on EU-style ingredient lists. Perfume blends can generally be listed simply as parfum, so these names may be the only sign of geranium oil in a fragranced product; see our Fragrances/Parfum profile.
Sources: SCCS: Opinion on fragrance allergens in cosmetic products (2012); Official Journal of the EU: Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/1545 on labelling of fragrance allergens; European Commission: Fragrance allergens labelling; IFRA: Standard for geraniol (Amendment 51)
