Citrus essential oil
Sweet orange
Citrus sinensis
Sweet orange is the friendly, inexpensive citrus oil, pressed from the peel of Citrus sinensis, much of it in Brazil and the United States. It smells exactly like peeling an orange and blends easily with spices, florals and woods, which makes it a staple in seasonal and calming diffuser blends. Unlike bitter orange, it is not considered phototoxic, so it is a gentler citrus choice for skin blends. Its weakness is shelf life: almost all of it is limonene, which breaks down in air and light, and oxidised oil is more likely to irritate. Keep it cool and tightly capped.
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 sinensis |
|---|---|
| Plant family | Rutaceae |
| Plant part | Fruit peel |
| Extraction | cold pressing |
| Main origins | Brazil, United States and Mexico |
| Aroma family | Citrus |
| Note | Top note |
| Aroma | Sweet, juicy orange peel |
| Main constituents | limonene, myrcene, alpha-pinene and linalool |
| Common uses | uplifting, calm, fresh air and seasonal |
| 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 | Sweet orange is not phototoxic (bitter orange is), and no skin limit is commonly set, but oxidised orange oil can irritate, so use it fresh. 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
Used in: Essential Oil Blends for Calm, Essential Oil Blends for a Fresh Home, Essential Oil Blends for Seasonal Comfort
Sources
- Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals, 2nd edition (Tisserand & Young), Churchill Livingstone / Elsevier
- Safety, National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA)
- Citruses: a comparison of different oils, Tisserand Institute
- Updates on essential oils, Pet Poison Helpline