Linalool, limonene, geraniol - what are they?

The ingredients list on many products often contain one or all of these components. They are chemicals which are extracted from plants and used in perfumery. Limonene is found in many citrus plants, while linalool can come from lavender, mint and some other plants. Geraniol, as the name implies comes from geraniums.

The important thing to remember is the fact that these substances are isolated from the essential oil and shouldn't ever be considered even close to being essential oil. Lavender essential oil, for example, contains well over 100 constituents which work synergistically. That is, they work together to create something greater than any of the components on their own.

These components are becoming over-used in the personal care industry because they are cheap. Essential oils are expensive. However, it is this over-use that is causing problems. People are becoming sensitive to products containing synthetic fragrances such as linalool  because it breaks down and becomes oxidised. It is this oxidisation that causes allergies in people.

Read the following article for more information:

Linalool In Shampoos And Skin Products Causes Allergy And Eczema

By eNotAlone.com Published: April 22, 2009

Therefore, manufacturers have to add other ingredients to counter-act the oxidisation. The silly thing is, if they had just used lavender essential oil in it's entirety, no oxidisation would occur.


Essential oils not only fragrance a product but provide a host of benefits. Lavender is listed in Julia Lawless' book,' The Encyclopaedia of Essential Oils' as being analgesic, antidepressant, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, deodorant, diuretic, insecticidal, tonic, stimulant, carminative etc. etc.
Ms Lawless also mentions lavender as being the most versatile essence therapeutically. Listed are the following uses:
SKIN CARE:  Abscesses, acne, allergies, boils, bruises, burns, dandruff, dermatitis, earache, eczema, inflammations, insect bites and stings, sores, spots, scabies, sunburn, wounds.
This is only for Skin Care!!

I was astounded to find that on the ingredients list of this product below there was linalool and limonene!

This company claims to have only the most natural ingredients. Not so....

The product below includes on its ingredients list not only linalool and geraniol, but d-limonene!

D-Limonene is an ingredient extracted from citrus peel and is used in those 'Yuk-Off' type products to remove sticky glue residue and grease.

I use the Eco Store laundry and cleaning products, but wouldn't for a minute consider using their personal care products if they put such low priced useless ingredients such as these in their baby products.

Sure, Skinflint uses fragrance oils in some products. Certainly not in any baby products, nor in any products designed for the face.
Skinflint uses high quality Brambleberry and Sweetcakes Fragrance Oils, imported from the US. These are known to contain high levels of essential oils. Last year when patchouli crops failed, the price of patchouli increased, and subsequently an amazing number of these fragrance oils increased due to their patchouli content!

Remember, be choosy, read the label and don't take any notice of advertising hype.