Neroli is a beautifully aromatic essential oil distilled from the delicate white blossoms of the bitter orange tree. Floral, fresh and softly citrus, it has a lightness to it that feels both calming and quietly joyful.
Revered for centuries, neroli is known for its ability to soothe the skin and lift the spirits at the same time. It’s particularly loved for stressed, tired or mature skin, where its gentle anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties help support healthy skin function and encourage natural cell renewal. The result is skin that feels calmer, more balanced and naturally radiant.
Its distinctive scent – sweet citrus with a floral softness – is also deeply comforting. Neroli is often used in aromatherapy to ease tension, promote relaxation and bring a sense of emotional steadiness, making it as nurturing for the mind as it is for the skin. A precious oil, used sparingly, and chosen as much for how it makes you feel as how it supports your skin.
Quick facts
INCI name: Citrus aurantium amara
Texture: Light essential oil
Best for: Tired, stressed or mature skin
Key benefits: Balancing, soothing, uplifting
Used in: Happy Glow Lucky Serum, Rosey Hand Salve, Bee Rosey Body Oil
Neroli Essential Oil & the bees
Orange blossom flowers are rich in nectar, making them a magnet for bees and other pollinators. When citrus groves are in bloom, they quite literally hum with life.
Bees rely on the nectar and pollen from orange blossoms for food, while orange trees rely on bees to pollinate their flowers, without pollination, there would be no fruit, no seeds, and no new trees. It’s a beautifully balanced partnership. You can read more about our work dedicated to saving the bees here.
Because of this, many farmers place beehives directly into orange groves during flowering season to support pollination. The result is healthier trees, better fruit yields, and a delicately flavoured orange blossom honey, a perfect example of how thriving ecosystems depend on cooperation and community.
Origins
Named after the Italian princess Anne-Marie Orsini of Nerola, neroli rose to popularity in the 17th century when she began using the scent to perfume her gloves. Its gentle, uplifting aroma has since become a timeless favourite in perfumery and wellbeing traditions.
How it's made
Neroli essential oil is produced by gently steam-distilling freshly harvested orange blossom flowers. This careful process captures the plant’s delicate aromatic compounds without the use of solvents, preserving both the oil’s natural scent and its skin-supporting properties.
Skin benefits of Neroli Essential Oil
Neroli supports skin gently but effectively:
- Helps balance oil production
- Supports skin elasticity
- Soothes stressed or tired skin
- Encourages a fresh, healthy complexion
Well-being benefits
Traditionally used to ease anxiety and lift low mood, neroli is known for bringing calm optimism and emotional balance.
The experience
Light, floral and uplifting, neroli feels joyful without being overpowering.
Why we use Neroli Essential Oil in our skincare
We choose neroli for its rare ability to support both skin and spirit. It helps bring balance and brightness to our blends, while encouraging a sense of calm, comfort and natural glow.
You can learn more about the other ingredients used in our skincare range here.
Sustainability and sourcing
Our lovely neroli is sourced from trusted producers who prioritise careful harvesting and gentle, respectful distillation. This approach protects the integrity of the blossoms, supports skilled growers, and ensures the oil retains its natural complexity without all of the unnecessary waste or overprocessing.
Fun fact
Neroli is one of the most expensive essential oils to produce, simply because it takes such a vast number of blossoms to yield a small amount of oil, a reminder of just how precious this ingredient really is.
Used in
Final thoughts
Neroli is often referred to as “sunshine in oil form”, a soft, steady brightness that uplifts, balances and restores. It doesn’t shout or overwhelm; it simply supports. And that quiet, nurturing quality is exactly why it has earned a permanent place in our ingredients list.
Julie Macken
After graduating with a Chemistry Degree and subsequent MBA, Julie spent 25 years 'in corporate life' working in Sales and Marketing for companies including Unilever and GSK. Her 'aha moment' came whilst running a marketing workshop in Brazil persuading South Americans to eat plastic-packed frozen chips instead of fresh potato.
Realising there were more fulfilling ways to utilise her skills, Julie founded Neve's Bees a family skincare business – creating a unique range of waterless skincare, using only natural and sustainable ingredients blended with Oxfordshire beeswax, promoting healthy skin and a healthy eco-system. Following a lifelong passion, Julie is also studying part time for a degree in Traditional Herbal Medicine.
Julie lives in Rural Oxfordshire with her husband, 2 children, 3 cats, 4 hens, 5 beehives, 6-acre wildflower meadow…and Bella the Dog.
