GET TO KNOW YOUR OILS
Blood Orange
Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck
Chemotype: limonene-rich citrus type
- PLANT PART
- citrus rind (peel)
- EXTRACTION
- cold pressed / expressed
- AROMA NOTE
- top
LEARN AS YOU COMPARE
What’s inside this oil?
Constituents are the natural chemicals that give an oil its character. See the main ones, learn what they do, and explore differences between batches.
Meet the main constituents, then select one to see what makes it interesting.
FOLLOW YOUR SENSES
Aroma & character
A closer look at this oil's scent, strength, and staying power.
- Aroma intensity
- 70 / 100
- Note layer
- top
If you like this scent, explore
A LITTLE CARE GOES A LONG WAY
Using it thoughtfully
Read the full safety context before bringing this oil into your routine.
- Cited dermal maximum · leave-on
- 5.18%
- Phototoxicity
- Not flagged in this profile
- Oxidation risk
- high
A cited maximum is a limit, not a suggested dilution. Missing restrictions do not establish safety.
Public blood orange supplier safety documents located in this pass do not classify the oil as phototoxic in the same way as expressed bergamot, lemon, lime, or bitter orange. The public IFRA conformity document instead communicates category-specific use maxima, with 5.18% for Category 5A.
Contraindications & cautions
- minorHigh limonene content means oxidized oil should be avoided because oxidation products can increase sensitization risk.
Explore measured chemistry from supplier batches
A supplier report describes a particular sample. Open this workspace to investigate measured constituents and their original documents.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE SCENT
Inside the oil
An oil's character comes from its natural chemical composition. Explore each constituent to understand the connections.
About this composition
This profile uses a public Essential Oil Exchange COA for exact blood orange peel-oil assay values, then supplements minor-citrus context with public blood-orange references. The oil is a limonene-dominant cold-pressed peel oil with myrcene as the clear secondary constituent and only small amounts of pinenes, alpha-terpineol, linalool, and decanal.
| Constituent | Typical amount | Reported range | Chemical family | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Limonene | 95.16% | 93–96% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceBlood Orange Essential Oil Certificate of Analysis https://www.essentialoilexchange.com/Images/EOX%20COA%20Blood%20Orange%20PDF.compressed.pdf (Limonene 95.16%; specification 93.00-96.00) |
| Myrcene | 1.89% | 1.5–3.5% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceBlood Orange Essential Oil Certificate of Analysis https://www.essentialoilexchange.com/Images/EOX%20COA%20Blood%20Orange%20PDF.compressed.pdf (Myrcene 1.89%; specification 1.50-3.50) |
| alpha-Pinene | 0.49% | 0.2–0.49% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceD-limonene rich volatile oil from blood oranges inhibits angiogenesis, metastasis and cell death in human colon cancer cells; Progress in Essential Oils - Perfumer & Flavorist https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0024320512004444 (search snippet reports alpha-pinene 0.49%); https://img.perfumerflavorist.com/files/base/allured/all/document/2008/12/pf.PF_34_01_048_10.pdf (blood orange table includes alpha-pinene 0.20%) |
| alpha-Terpineol | 0.42% | 0.42–0.42% | monoterpene alcohol | View sourceD-limonene rich volatile oil from blood oranges inhibits angiogenesis, metastasis and cell death in human colon cancer cells https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0024320512004444 (search snippet reports alpha-terpineol 0.42%) |
| Linalool | 0.4% | 0.39–0.4% | monoterpene alcohol | View sourceProgress in Essential Oils - Perfumer & Flavorist https://img.perfumerflavorist.com/files/base/allured/all/document/2008/12/pf.PF_34_01_048_10.pdf (blood orange oil table: linalool 0.39%; later profile 0.40%) |
| Decanal | 0.29% | 0.29–0.74% | aliphatic aldehyde | View sourceProgress in Essential Oils - Perfumer & Flavorist https://img.perfumerflavorist.com/files/base/allured/all/document/2008/12/pf.PF_34_01_048_10.pdf (blood orange oil table: decanal 0.74%; later profile 0.29%) |
Profile source: Blood Orange Essential Oil Certificate of Analysis; Blood Orange Essential Oil IFRA COC; Blood Orange Essential Oil: Benefits, Uses & Insights · https://www.essentialoilexchange.com/Images/EOX%20COA%20Blood%20Orange%20PDF.compressed.pdf ; https://avenalab.com/images/001SDS/Alergeni/Blood_Orange_Essential_Oil_IFRA_COC.pdf ; https://www.aromaweb.com/essential-oils/blood-orange-essential-oil.php
A TRADITION OF BOTANICAL CURIOSITY
Traditional & reported uses
These uses reflect the profile's reported traditions and literature. They are not established treatment recommendations.
- traditionally used in aromatherapy for uplifting, mood-brightening effect
- reported to ease occasional stress and low mood through its sweet citrus aroma
- used in perfumery and home fragrance for a juicy, slightly tart citrus top note
- traditionally associated with easing occasional tension and promoting a sense of comfort
- used in blends intended to support a cheerful, energizing atmosphere
For aromatherapy and wellness use only — not medical advice. Effect statements are traditional/reported associations, not treatment claims. The Synergy Rating scores blend craft, harmony and safety, not medical efficacy. Read the safety framework.
What we're still learning · 2 data gaps
Good decisions start with knowing what is — and isn't — in the evidence.
- No public source located in this pass gave directly measured volatility-rate or tenacity-hour values for blood orange peel oil.
- The archive's 70 odor-intensity score normalizes AromaWeb's categorical 'Medium-Strong' aroma-strength descriptor rather than a directly published 0-100 sensory measurement.