Neroli

Neroli essential oil is steam distilled from the blossoms of the bitter orange tree, Citrus aurantium, family Rutaceae. Its aroma is intensely floral, citrusy and sweet, and it sits as a middle note in perfumery. People choose it for calming or sleep blends, skin care and homemade perfume, pairing it with lavender, rose, petitgrain, bergamot, sweet orange, sandalwood or marjoram. No maximum skin dilution has been published, so normal dilution applies, and unlike the pressed peel it is not phototoxic. The key caution is cats: neroli contains limonene, so keep it away from them. When buying, check that the label names the blossoms, since petitgrain and bitter orange oil come from the same tree.