Citronella Essential Oil, 10 ml

Citronella essential oil gives a formulation a fresh citrus fragrance and also masks the less pleasant odour of raw materials. It is a distillate from the aerial parts of the grass Cymbopogon winterianus, of Asian origin, also known in the trade as Java citronella. In a formulation it serves as a fragrance component. According to the manufacturer, it also has insect-repellent properties, which is why it appears in products intended for summer and time outdoors.

It is obtained by steam distillation. The raw material is plant-based, vegan and free from palm oil ingredients.

What characterises the oil

• Fragrance – the manufacturer classes it as citrus. Its character comes from the monoterpenes citronellal, geraniol, citronellol, limonene, geranyl acetate and camphene.
• Odour masking – according to the manufacturer, the fragrance helps to cover an unpleasant smell, in practice for example the natural odour of oils, butters or plant extracts in the finished product.
• Insect repellency – the manufacturer reports insect-repellent properties, which is why the oil is popular in body oils, sprays and candles for outdoor use. This is the manufacturer’s claim, not a guaranteed effect of the finished product.
• Hair and scalp – according to the manufacturer, the oil supports a feeling of freshness and cleanliness of the scalp and can be incorporated into shampoos, conditioners and scalp products.
• Soothing and antimicrobial action – the manufacturer’s marketing materials describe a soothing effect on irritated skin and antimicrobial properties. The manufacturer does not provide studies for these claims; treat them as supplementary information, not as the main effect of the product.

Use in a formulation

The oil is added to the oil phase, in emulsions most often only in the cooling phase, or it can be incorporated afterwards into the finished base. The recommended processing temperature is below 40 °C. The oil consists of volatile components that evaporate at higher temperatures, which weakens the fragrance.

It belongs to the oil phase and does not dissolve in water. For toners, body mists and other water-based systems it is therefore introduced via a solubiliser. According to the manufacturer’s data, it is compatible with non-ionic surfactants and with alcohol, so it can be used in alcohol-based sprays or in cleansing products based on non-ionic surfactants. In anhydrous products such as body oils, balms and ointments, it is mixed into the oil or into the melted base after it has partly cooled.

An exact recommended usage rate is not available. The upper limit is set for each product type by the relevant IFRA category: a lip balm is assessed differently from a body cream, shampoo or candle. Repellents applied to the skin have their own category together with body creams and oils. Before production, check the limit for the category your finished product belongs to and set the concentration below it.

Suitable for products such as

• Body oils, balms and ointments – anhydrous products for summer and time in nature, where both the fragrance and the oil’s reputation as a repellent ingredient are put to use.
• Body sprays and mists – in an alcohol base or with the help of a solubiliser in a water base.
• Soaps and shower gels – the manufacturer mentions use in soaps and cleansing products; the fragrance masks the smell of fats and oils.
• Shampoos and scalp products – according to the manufacturer, for a feeling of scalp freshness.
• Candles and aromatherapy – the manufacturer lists it among the oils commonly used in candles and aromatherapy.

Good to know

The oil is yellow to brownish yellow and at a higher usage rate the finished product may take on a slight yellow tint. This shows mainly in white emulsions and clear water-based products. In sprays and toners with a low oil content, the effect on colour is usually negligible.

Its behaviour in cold process soap has not been verified by our own practical test. Before a larger batch, make a small trial batch and monitor trace and any discolouration of the soap batter.

Children’s creams, lotions and oils have a separate category under IFRA. If you are formulating a product for children, check the limit for that category, not the one for cosmetics for adults.

Frequently asked questions