Neroli Oil Does A Lot More Than Smell Great: 8 Potential Skin, Hair & Health Benefits

But neroli offers more than just a floral, citrusy, almost spicy aroma: The oil has antimicrobial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties that can be beneficial when applied topically. Plus, inhaling the scent may be helpful for easing stress, anxiety, and even symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and menopause. Intrigued yet? Here's what to know.

"This oil works to reduce the appearance of your acne overnight with its antifungal and antimicrobial properties," says Daniel Lanzer, M.B., FACD, an Australian dermatologist. 

"With high antioxidants and cell regeneration properties," Lanzer explains, "neroli oil can produce an amazing overall glow. Try diluting two to six drops in a carrier oil, such as coconut or avocado oil, and lightly dab directly over the skin morning or night."

To try it, add a few drops of neroli to your favorite detangler or other leave-in hair product. You'll enjoy the lovely scent, and your strands will appreciate the extra attention.

Another study on humans4 found that smelling a blend of neroli, lavender, ylang-ylang, and marjoram reduced blood pressure for a small group of individuals with hypertension.

Those who inhaled neroli oil had reduced stress, lowered blood pressure, and increased sexual desire. The researchers reported that neroli may help improve endocrine system function.

In a double-blind clinical trial6 published in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, researchers looked at 62 university students over the course of a year. The students who inhaled neroli oil saw improvement in their PMS symptoms, such as pain, bloating, indigestion, and depression.

Although more research is needed on how neroli oil can be used to help interrupt pain signals and inflammatory processes, researchers found through an animal study7 published in the Journal of Natural Medicine that the ingredient does exhibit these benefits.

You can carry a bottle of neroli around for an on-the-go mood boost or add the oil to your diffuser to make your home smell heavenly.

As always, use caution when diffusing EOs around children, pets, or anyone with respiratory issues, such as allergies or asthma.

Start by putting in equal amounts of each oil into a diffuser or dark amber bottle. Feel free to add more of a certain oil to increase its scent prominence in your blend. If you're preparing your blend in a bottle, store it in a dry, dark place to help it maintain its potency.

Blend neroli with equal parts lavender, ylang-ylang, and marjoram to soothe away stress. One small study4 published in Evidence-Based Complementary Alternative Medicine found that this combination lowered blood pressure and cortisol levels.

Floral neroli and rose blend well with woodsy sandalwood to leave you feeling sensual.

Neroli is such a calming scent that it can be too mellow at times. Pair it with brighter geranium and grapefruit notes to keep you collected and cool.

Neroli's promising skin- and hair-boosting benefits, along with its ability to ease stress and even tamp down anxiety, make it a great EO to have in your arsenal. Plus, it simply smells so great that you might just want to use it as your signature scent.