Citrus essential oil
Mandarin
Citrus reticulata
Mandarin essential oil is cold pressed from the fruit peel of Citrus reticulata, a member of the Rutaceae family, and is mostly produced in Italy and sometimes Brazil. It smells sweet and citrusy, with red mandarin the sweetest and green mandarin, pressed from unripe fruit, the most tart. As a top note, it pairs well with sweet orange, neroli, lavender or sandalwood, and people choose it for calming, uplifting and bedtime blends and for skin care. No maximum skin level has been published, so normal dilution still applies. Keep it away from cats, as citrus oils are listed as toxic to them. Check that the label says peel: mandarin petitgrain, from the leaves, is phototoxic.
Safety at a glance
- Pregnancy Generally well tolerated
- Children From age 2
- Dogs Use with caution
- Cats Avoid
- Sunlight Not phototoxic
- On skin No published maximum
Reference
| Botanical name | Citrus reticulata |
|---|---|
| Plant family | Rutaceae |
| Plant part | Fruit peel |
| Extraction | cold pressing |
| Main origins | Italy and Brazil |
| Aroma family | Citrus |
| Note | Top note |
| Aroma | Sweet, mellow citrus peel |
| Main constituents | limonene, gamma-terpinene, myrcene, alpha-pinene and dimethyl anthranilate |
| Common uses | calm, sleep, uplifting and skin |
| Suggested maximum on skin | No published maximum |
| Phototoxic | No |
| Shelf life once opened | 1 to 2 years |
| Pregnancy | Generally well tolerated |
| Children | From age 2 |
| Dogs | Use with caution |
| Cats | Avoid |
| Safety notes | Tisserand and Young confirm that pressed mandarin peel oil is not phototoxic, though mandarin petitgrain (from the leaves) is. Store it cool and capped, because oxidised oil can sensitise skin. It is on the IFPA list of oils used in pregnancy. Pet Poison Helpline lists citrus oils as toxic to cats; dogs are less sensitive, but diffuse lightly and leave the dog free to walk away. |
Blends well with
Sources
- Mandarin Essential Oil, AromaWeb. Accessed October 26, 2026
- Aromatherapy and pregnancy guidelines, International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists (hosted by NAHA). Accessed October 26, 2026
- Updates on essential oils, Pet Poison Helpline. Accessed October 26, 2026
- Essential oil shelf life (Robert Tisserand's guideline), AromaWeb. Accessed October 26, 2026