Geranium essential oil benefits start with skin, hair and mood, but there’s more to this oil. Geranium essential oil, derived from the Pelargonium plant, has been used in a number of ways for its many healing benefits. This fragrant and versatile oil can be used in applications for purposes including skin care, body balancing, relaxation, hair care, deodorants, and perfuming. It is an uplifting middle note with a floral, yet herbaceous scent.
Chemically speaking, geranium essential oil contains high levels of the components geraniol, citronellol, and linalool. It shares some chemical components with rose oil, making it a popular alternative to the more expensive rose in aromatherapy and perfuming. There are more than 250 species of geranium. Depending on the species of geranium being grown, the oil can be extracted by steam distillation from leaves, seeds, or flowers. Pelargonium graveolens is the most commonly distilled species for aromatherapy use. Wondering how to use geranium essential oil for maximum benefit? Let’s dive in.
Add Geranium Essential Oil to Your Skin Care Routine
Geranium essential oil is great for skin extremes, as it is a balancing oil that can be used for either very dry or very oily skin. Geranium essential oil is known to eliminate dead skin cells and encourages new healthy skin cell growth, making it a great choice for wounds and scars. It is also beneficial for blotchy skin. Geranium essential oil is anti-inflammatory, an astringent, and the geraniol component is an antioxidant. Use it in an anti-aging skin cream. It’s antifungal and antibacterial components make it a great choice for help with skin concerns such as acne, impetigo or athletes foot. Blend it with grapefruit essential oil to create a synergy that can even be used in formulations to reduce the appearance of cellulite. Not to mention, it’s high citronellol component makes geranium essential oil an effective ingredient for insect repellents.
Check out our Lavender Geranium Foaming Face Wash
Experience Body Balancing Effects
Geranium essential oil is known to balance the adrenals, therefore it is very beneficial when added to a body lotion. It can also be used to ease the symptoms of pms and menopause[i]. Its balancing effect on the nervous system makes it calming for people who are stressed and eases workaholics. Geranium essential oil’s positive effect on edema and lymph congestion make it a beneficial ingredient in a massage blend.
Grab Some Down Time With Relaxation Benefits
The linalool content of Geranium essential oil provides a sense of relaxation. It can be used to reduce feelings of stress, anxiety, and tension. It is also beneficial for relief of fatigue. Geranium essential oil has a cooling effect energetically. It enhances a general sense of wellbeing and may be helpful for insomnia. Geranium essential oil is also great for opening up intuition and imagination. If you want to relax the mind and calm agitation, consider adding geranium to your essential oil collection.
Encourage Healthy Hair Care
Geranium essential oil can be balancing for the hair. Add 1-2 drops into your shampoo to nourish the scalp and balance sebum production, helping to encourage healthier hair.
Deodorant
Geranium essential oil is antibacterial and beneficial for deodorizing, making it a good ingredient for deodorants. Consider using it in formulations for body odor products.
Create a Personal Perfume
With its sweet, floral, herbaceous scent geranium essential oil is often used in perfume, sometimes as a substitute for the more expensive rose. I find it to be a strong scent, so if you plan on using it for perfuming begin with a low dilution. It’s been known as an aphrodisiac.
How to use geranium essential oil
Looking to speak to a certified aromatherapist? Use the Contact Us form to ask me questions about the oils you’re curious about. If this is your first time using geranium essential oil, be sure to do a patch test to test for an allergic reaction. Essential oils need to be diluted into a carrier oil such as grapeseed or olive oil to be used on the body safely and keep your dilution rate low. For example, use 1 oz of your favourite carrier oil and add 1 drop of geranium essential oil and 1 drop of lavender essential for use on acne prone skin.
I’m currently loving this Good Vibes Only diffuser blend for an uplifting and production day.
Geranium – 2 drops
Grapefruit – 2 drops
Lavender – 1 drop
Amyris – 1 drop
Cautions
Overexposure to geranium essential oil may lead to headaches, or cause skin sensitivity. It is recommended to not use geranium essential oil if you are on anti-diabetic medication. Geranium essential oil may enhance the penetration of topical drugs, so do not use it on the skin if you are being treated with topical drugs. In fact, if you are on medication at all, seek advice from a licensed medical professional to ensure that any essential oil won’t interfere with your medication. Essential oils are not a substitute for medical advice from a licensed professional for physical or mental health concerns. Please seek advice from a medical practitioner.
