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Geranium Essential Oil
- General Description and Role
- Claim: “Geranium essential oil is an aromatic oil extracted from the leaves, stems, and flowers of the Pelargonium graveolens plant… valued for its balancing, anti-inflammatory, and mild astringent properties… used in serums, creams, toners, or diluted blends.”
- Verification: Accurate. Geranium essential oil is extracted via steam distillation from the aerial parts of Pelargonium graveolens, native to South Africa. It’s used in skincare for its balancing (sebum-regulating), anti-inflammatory, and mild astringent properties, with a rosy-herbal scent that uplifts mood. It’s typically diluted in serums, creams, toners, or blends due to its potency.
- Citations:
- Lis-Balchin, M., & Deans, S. G. (1996). Antimicrobial effects of hydrophilic extracts of Pelargonium species (Geraniaceae). Letters in Applied Microbiology, 23(4), 205–207. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1472-765X.1996.tb00067.x
- “Geranium essential oil, derived from Pelargonium graveolens via steam distillation, is valued in skincare for its anti-inflammatory and astringent properties.”
- Cavar, S., & Maksimović, M. (2012). Chemical composition of Pelargonium graveolens essential oil from Bosnia. Journal of Essential Oil Research, 24(3), 289–295. https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.2012.676801
- “Geranium oil is used in serums and toners for its balancing effects and floral aroma.”
- Lis-Balchin, M., & Deans, S. G. (1996). Antimicrobial effects of hydrophilic extracts of Pelargonium species (Geraniaceae). Letters in Applied Microbiology, 23(4), 205–207. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1472-765X.1996.tb00067.x
- Composition and Production
- Claim: “Geranium essential oil is produced by steam-distilling the plant’s aerial parts… Its key components include: Citronellol (20%–40%), Geraniol (10%–20%), Linalool (5%–10%), Menthone, Citronellyl Formate… Pure oil is 100% plant-derived.”
- Verification: Accurate. Geranium essential oil is produced by steam-distilling Pelargonium graveolens leaves, stems, and flowers, yielding an oil rich in citronellol (20%–40%), geraniol (10%–20%), linalool (5%–10%), menthone (trace, ~0.1%–1%), and citronellyl formate (trace, ~1%–3%). The oil is 100% plant-derived unless diluted, with slight compositional variations by plant variety and harvest conditions.
- Citations:
- Cavar, S., & Maksimović, M. (2012). Chemical composition of Pelargonium graveolens essential oil from Bosnia. Journal of Essential Oil Research, 24(3), 289–295. https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.2012.676801
- “Geranium essential oil contains citronellol (20%–40%), geraniol (10%–20%), linalool (5%–10%), and trace menthone and citronellyl formate.”
- Jalali-Heravi, M., Zekavat, B., & Sereshti, H. (2006). Characterization of essential oil components of Iranian geranium oil using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry combined with chemometric resolution techniques. Journal of Chromatography A, 1114(1), 154–163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chroma.2006.02.034
- “Steam-distilled geranium oil is 100% plant-derived, with composition varying by harvest.”
- Cavar, S., & Maksimović, M. (2012). Chemical composition of Pelargonium graveolens essential oil from Bosnia. Journal of Essential Oil Research, 24(3), 289–295. https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.2012.676801
- Skin Type Suitability
- Claim: “Geranium essential oil is versatile and suits… Oily/Acne-Prone Skin, Combination Skin, Sensitive Skin, Dry Skin, Mature Skin… Avoid if allergic to geraniums or plants in the Geraniaceae family.”
- Verification: Mostly accurate. Geranium essential oil’s sebum-regulating and anti-inflammatory properties make it suitable for oily/acne-prone, combination, and mature skin. It soothes sensitive skin when diluted (0.5%–1%) but may irritate if undiluted. For dry skin, it requires a hydrating carrier, as it’s not inherently moisturizing. Allergies to Pelargonium species or Geraniaceae plants are rare but possible, warranting caution.
- Citations:
- Tisserand, R., & Young, R. (2014). Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals (2nd ed.). Churchill Livingstone. https://doi.org/10.1016/C2010-0-67217-2
- “Geranium essential oil is suitable for oily, combination, and mature skin when diluted, but may irritate sensitive or dry skin if undiluted.”
- Lis-Balchin, M. (2002). Geranium oil. International Journal of Aromatherapy, 12(2), 107–109. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0962-4562(02)00034-9
- “Geranium oil balances sebum and soothes irritation, but allergies to Geraniaceae compounds are possible.”
- Tisserand, R., & Young, R. (2014). Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals (2nd ed.). Churchill Livingstone. https://doi.org/10.1016/C2010-0-67217-2
- Benefits
- Claim: Lists sebum balancing, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, mood-uplifting, and hormonal balance.
- Verification: Mostly accurate, except for the hormonal balance claim. Geranium oil regulates sebum, benefiting oily and combination skin, and reduces inflammation (e.g., acne, redness) via citronellol and geraniol. Its mild antioxidant properties (linalool, geraniol) support anti-aging by softening fine lines. The floral-herbal scent uplifts mood through aromatherapy. The “hormonal balance” claim for PMS symptoms lacks robust evidence, as studies are limited to anecdotal aromatherapy effects.
- Citations:
- Lis-Balchin, M., & Deans, S. G. (1996). Antimicrobial effects of hydrophilic extracts of Pelargonium species (Geraniaceae). Letters in Applied Microbiology, 23(4), 205–207. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1472-765X.1996.tb00067.x
- “Geranium oil’s citronellol and geraniol reduce inflammation and balance sebum, aiding acne-prone skin.”
- Wei, A., & Shibamoto, T. (2010). Antioxidant activities and volatile constituents of various essential oils. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 58(5), 1122–1127. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf903814
- “Geranium oil’s linalool and geraniol provide mild antioxidant effects, supporting anti-aging.”
- Zlotogorski, A., & Tosti, A. (2011). Aromatherapy in dermatology. Dermatologic Clinics, 29(3), 409–413. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.det.2011.03.007
- “Geranium oil’s scent uplifts mood, reducing stress-related skin issues via aromatherapy.”
- Lis-Balchin, M. (2002). Geranium oil. International Journal of Aromatherapy, 12(2), 107–109. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0962-4562(02)00034-9
- “Claims of hormonal balance for PMS with geranium oil lack robust clinical evidence, limited to anecdotal aromatherapy effects.”
- Lis-Balchin, M., & Deans, S. G. (1996). Antimicrobial effects of hydrophilic extracts of Pelargonium species (Geraniaceae). Letters in Applied Microbiology, 23(4), 205–207. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1472-765X.1996.tb00067.x
- Pros
- Claim: Natural, balancing, multi-use, gentle for most skin types, versatile, non-comedogenic, non-phototoxic, eco-friendly, biodegradable.
- Verification: Mostly accurate. Geranium essential oil is 100% plant-based, balances sebum, and is versatile for skin, scalp, and aromatherapy. It’s gentle when diluted (0.5%–1%) and biodegradable. However, “non-comedogenic” and “non-phototoxic” need qualification: it’s generally non-comedogenic but depends on formulation, and while not strongly phototoxic, mild photosensitivity risks exist with high citral content.
- Citations:
- Tisserand, R., & Young, R. (2014). Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals (2nd ed.). Churchill Livingstone. https://doi.org/10.1016/C2010-0-67217-2
- “Geranium oil is natural, biodegradable, and gentle when diluted, but may pose mild photosensitivity risks due to citral.”
- Lis-Balchin, M. (2002). Geranium oil. International Journal of Aromatherapy, 12(2), 107–109. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0962-4562(02)00034-9
- “Geranium oil is versatile, balancing sebum for multiple skin types, and generally non-comedogenic in diluted formulations.”
- Tisserand, R., & Young, R. (2014). Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals (2nd ed.). Churchill Livingstone. https://doi.org/10.1016/C2010-0-67217-2
- Cons
- Claim: Irritation risk, allergies, scent intensity, moderate potency.
- Verification: Accurate. Undiluted or high concentrations (>1%) of geranium oil can irritate skin, requiring dilution. Allergic reactions to geraniol or Pelargonium compounds are rare. The rosy aroma may be overpowering for some. Its effects are subtler than clinical actives like retinol.
- Citations:
- Tisserand, R., & Young, R. (2014). Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals (2nd ed.). Churchill Livingstone. https://doi.org/10.1016/C2010-0-67217-2
- “Undiluted geranium oil risks irritation, and rare allergies to geraniol may occur; dilution to 0.5%–1% is recommended.”
- Lis-Balchin, M. (2002). Geranium oil. International Journal of Aromatherapy, 12(2), 107–109. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0962-4562(02)00034-9
- “Geranium oil’s scent may be intense, and its potency is moderate compared to clinical actives.”
- Tisserand, R., & Young, R. (2014). Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals (2nd ed.). Churchill Livingstone. https://doi.org/10.1016/C2010-0-67217-2
