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Geraniol

What Geraniol is & what it does

A sweet, rosy fragrance compound found in many essential oils. It adds scent and is a labeled fragrance allergen that may irritate sensitive skin.

What is Geraniol and what does it do in sunscreen?

Geraniol is a fragrance compound with a sweet, rosy scent that occurs naturally in rose, geranium and citronella oils. In a sunscreen it is part of the fragrance or essential-oil blend, used to give the product a pleasant smell. It plays no role in sun protection itself, it is purely there for scent.

Is Geraniol safe?

For most people, yes, at the low levels used in cosmetics. The main thing to know is that Geraniol is one of the fragrance compounds the EU requires to be named on the label because it can cause allergic reactions in some people. It is generally fine for most skin, but those prone to fragrance sensitivity may want to avoid it.

Why is Geraniol listed separately on the label?

Because it is a recognized fragrance allergen. EU rules require a set of known fragrance allergens, including Geraniol, to be declared by name when they are present above a small threshold, instead of being hidden under the generic word "parfum". Seeing Geraniol on the list simply means the brand is disclosing what is in the fragrance, which helps sensitive users avoid it.

Is Geraniol bad for sensitive skin?

It can be for some people. As a labeled fragrance allergen, Geraniol may cause irritation or an allergic reaction in those with sensitive or fragrance-reactive skin, especially on compromised or eczema-prone skin. Most people tolerate it without any problem, but if you react to fragranced products, a fragrance-free sunscreen is the safer choice.

Is Geraniol natural or synthetic?

It can be either. Geraniol occurs naturally in many essential oils such as rose and geranium, and it is also produced synthetically for use in fragrance. The two versions are the same molecule, and both are labeled as a fragrance allergen regardless of source.

Sunscreens with Geraniol

We rate 452 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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