Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil
Also known as Geranium flower oil, Rose geranium oil, Geranium oil
“No regulator has issued a verdict on this ingredient.”
Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil is a volatile essential oil distilled from the flowers of rose geranium (Pelargonium graveolens, Geraniaceae), used primarily as a fragrance and masking agent in cosmetics. Its major constituents are beta-citronellol (~19-22%), geraniol (~11-23%), citronellyl formate (~13%), and linalool (~3-4%). No completed CIR safety assessment exists as of 2026; CIR listed Pelargonium graveolens-derived ingredients on its 2024/2025 pending docket. An EFSA (2023) assessment for animal feed use found the oil safe at proposed use levels but flagged it as a skin and respiratory sensitiser at occupational handling concentrations. Geraniol, a major constituent, is documented to form oxidized contact allergens on air exposure (Hagvall et al., 2007).
Widely used fragrance and masking ingredient with long history in perfumery and cosmetics
Demonstrated antimicrobial activity against multiple bacterial strains in vitro
Antioxidant activity attributed to high citronellol and geraniol content
- · Geraniol undergoes autoxidation on air exposure to form hydroperoxide and aldehyde derivatives (geranial, neral) with moderate sensitizing capacity — substantially higher than pure geraniol.
- · CIR formal assessment is pending (2024/2025 docket) — no US regulatory safety conclusion available.
Contains geraniol, citronellol, and linalool — all EU Annex III-listed fragrance allergens requiring label disclosure above threshold concentrations (0.01% in leave-on, 0.1% in rinse-off products). Note: the Pelargonium oil itself is a general-inventory ingredient; it is the constituent terpenes that carry the Annex III allergen obligation.
EFSA (2023) classified the essential oil as a skin and eye irritant and skin and respiratory sensitiser at occupational handling levels; context is animal feed, not topical cosmetic use, but the constituent-level hazard is relevant.