Neroli

Neroli is the flower of the bitter orange tree—Citrus aurantium var. amara—delicate white petals distilled into an oil that feels both ethereal and grounded. Steam captures the soul of the blossoms just as they open, often by hand and always at dawn. Named for an Italian princess who perfumed her gloves with it, neroli carries both wild citrus and soft bloom. It is not the fruit. It is the flowering.

Flowering scent—distilled just as the blossoms exhale.

Cultural Lineage + Ancestral Use

In Mediterranean and North African traditions, bitter orange trees have long been cultivated for their multiple gifts: fruit, leaf, and flower. Neroli water was used in Morocco to calm fever, aid digestion, and scent bridal chambers. In ancient Egypt, bitter orange blossoms were gathered for ceremony and skin. Renaissance Europe used neroli to soothe nervous ailments and scent linens. It has always signified both clarity and softness—used not to dazzle, but to restore.

Medicinal Properties

Neroli is used in skincare for its gentle antiseptic and regenerative properties—beneficial for sensitive, irritated, or mature skin. It helps calm redness, encourage cell turnover, and soften the appearance of scars or stretch marks. In aromatherapy, it is renowned for its calming effects on the nervous system—supporting anxiety, sleep, and emotional overwhelm. It’s especially valued for its balance: uplifting yet deeply calming.

Aroma Properties

The scent of neroli is uniquely balanced—floral but crisp, sweet but not cloying. It opens with bright citrus, drifts into soft flower, and settles with a green-powder finish. As a top-to-middle note, it helps bridge heavier bases with light, bright openings. Used in natural perfumery, neroli adds lift and lightness to deeper blends and softens sharp notes without disappearing.