3 Health Benefits and Uses of Geranium Essential Oil with Recipes
Geranium essential oil benefits and uses for skin and mood, plus geranium blend recipes for the diffuser, face oil and bath.
In this guide
Geranium essential oil benefits the skin, the mood and the lymphatic system. Its sweet, floral scent relaxes the mind, while its balancing and stimulating properties support clear skin, circulation and natural detox. Below you will find the main geranium essential oil uses, what geranium blends well with, and 5 easy geranium blend recipes for the face, the bath and the diffuser.
Key takeaways
- Rose geranium essential oil (Pelargonium graveolens) is steam distilled from the leaves of the geranium plant.
- Its three big benefits are skincare, a calmer mood and better lymphatic flow.
- Geranium blends well with rose, lavender, lemon, bergamot, frankincense, neroli and sweet orange.
- For a diffuser, 1 or 2 drops of geranium in a 5 to 7 drop blend is plenty.
- Avoid geranium in the first trimester of pregnancy, and always dilute it for skin use.
What is geranium essential oil?
Geranium essential oil is a fragrant plant oil with a wide range of health benefits. It smells floral, sweet and slightly fruity, a little like a softer, greener rose.
The oil is steam distilled from the leaves of the rose geranium plant. That is why it is often called rose geranium oil. It is one of the most useful oils for skin, mood and gentle body care.
Geranium essential oil properties at a glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Aroma | Floral, fragrant, sweet and slightly fruity |
| Properties | Relaxing, sedative, anti-depressant, balancing, diuretic, anti-fungal, antibacterial, antimicrobial and antiseptic. A circulatory and lymphatic stimulant, traditionally said to stimulate the liver and pancreas |
| Skin types | Suits all skin types: dry, oily, sensitive, mature and combination |
| Blends well with | Rose, lavender, lemon, bergamot, neroli, tea tree, frankincense, cedarwood, patchouli, jasmine, lime, sweet orange, rosemary, cardamom, clary sage and pine |
| Take care with | Do not use in the first trimester of pregnancy. It may irritate very sensitive skin |
3 health benefits of geranium essential oil
1. Geranium oil benefits for skin
Geranium essential oil is excellent for skincare. It helps oily, dry, mature, sensitive and acne-prone skin. Its antifungal and antiseptic actions cleanse away impurities, while its astringent effect tones and tightens the skin.
With anti-inflammatory properties, geranium reduces redness and irritation. It also supports wound healing for a glowing, balanced complexion. Many people also use rose geranium oil for hair, to support scalp health and natural shine. Read more in our guide to rose geranium oil for hair.
2. Geranium for mood and mental health
The sweet, floral scent of geranium supports emotional wellbeing. With its natural antidepressant and sedative qualities, it helps calm anxiety, lift the mood and reduce stress.
Add it to bath soaks, facial steams, massage oils or your diffuser for a simple act of self-care that brings balance and relaxation.
3. Geranium for lymphatic cleansing
The lymphatic system is vital for detox. Geranium oil stimulates circulation, reduces water retention and supports the removal of toxins. It is especially useful for varicose veins, oedema, cellulite and that heavy, sluggish feeling.
Using geranium for lymphatic flow can help you feel lighter and more energised. For more ideas, see our guide to essential oils and lymphatic flow.
What does geranium essential oil blend well with?
Geranium sits in the middle of a blend, so it pairs with florals, citrus, woods and herbs. Here are the best partners and what each one adds.
| Oil | What it adds to geranium |
|---|---|
| Rose | A deeper, richer floral note |
| Lavender | Soft, herbal calm for relaxation and sleep |
| Lemon and lime | Bright, fresh citrus that lifts the mood |
| Bergamot | Gentle citrus that suits skin blends |
| Sweet orange | A sunny, cheerful finish |
| Neroli | A delicate, slightly citrus floral |
| Jasmine | A rich, sweet, exotic floral |
| Frankincense | Warm resin for calm and skin care |
| Cedarwood and patchouli | Earthy, woody depth that makes a blend last |
| Clary sage | Nutty, herbal sweetness for balance |
| Tea tree | A clean, fresh lift for skin blends |
| Rosemary, cardamom and pine | Herbal, spicy or green freshness |
Find every partner oil in our essential oils collection.
Pro tip
Geranium is quite strong, so let it play a supporting role. One or two drops in a blend is usually enough to add a fresh, rosy note without taking over.
5 geranium essential oil blend recipes
The first two recipes are for your skin and your bath. The last three are diffuser blends from our seasonal guides, each with geranium as a key note.
1. DIY Geranium Skin Serum
Best for: a glowing, balanced complexion
- 15ml Evening primrose oil
- 10ml Jojoba oil
- 5ml Rosehip seed oil
- 1ml Vitamin E
- 2 drops Geranium oil
- 2 drops Bergamot oil
- 1 drop Neroli oil
Combine in a sterilised dropper bottle, label it and store in a cool, dry cupboard. Massage into your face daily, from the centre outwards. Follow with sunscreen to protect your skin from sun damage.
2. Geranium Flow for the Lymph Bath Soak
Best for: lymphatic flow and a relaxed mind
- 1 cup Sea salt
- 1 tbsp Carrier oil (sweet almond, grapeseed or jojoba)
- 4 drops Geranium oil
- 3 drops Lemon oil
- 3 drops Lavender oil
A perfect springtime bath treat. Mix the oils into the carrier first, then stir into the salt and add to warm running water. Geranium, lemon and lavender promote lymphatic flow while soothing the mind.
3. Neroli State of Mind
Best for: a calm, gentle afternoon
- 2 drops Lemon oil
- 1 drop Lavender oil
- 1 drop Rose geranium oil
- 1 drop Neroli oil
From our spring diffuser blends. Fresh lemon and soft neroli meet the soothing feel of rose geranium and lavender. Add to your diffuser in the afternoon.
4. Summer Flowers
Best for: the bedroom, living room or bathroom
- 3 drops Lavender oil
- 2 drops Geranium oil
- 1 drop Rose oil
- 1 drop Sweet orange oil
For lovers of floral scents. Lavender and rose keep it soft, geranium adds a fresh garden note and sweet orange gives a sunny finish.
5. Lavender Confidante
Best for: unwinding at any time of day
- 2 drops Lavender oil
- 1 drop Ylang ylang oil
- 1 drop Rose geranium oil
- 2 drops Frankincense oil
Fragrant flowers meet grounding frankincense. It is gentle, calming and relaxing, so diffuse it whenever you need to unwind.
How to use geranium essential oil
- In a diffuser: add 1 or 2 drops of geranium to a 5 to 7 drop blend. Run it for 30 to 60 minutes, then take a break.
- On the face: use a weak blend, such as the serum above, which has 5 drops of essential oil in 30ml of carrier oils.
- On the body: mix into a carrier oil for massage, especially for lymphatic or circulation support.
- In the bath: always mix the drops into salts or a carrier oil first, so they spread through the water.
Who should not use geranium oil?
Safety first
Do not use geranium in the first trimester of pregnancy. Always dilute it before skin use and patch test first, as it may irritate very sensitive skin.
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, speak to your GP or midwife before using any essential oil.
- Keep oils out of reach of children, and use weaker blends on young skin.
- Cats and dogs are sensitive to diffused oils. Leave pets a way out of the room.
- Keep essential oils away from the eyes and never swallow them.
FAQs
What is geranium essential oil good for?
Geranium is good for skincare, mood and lymphatic flow. It helps balance and tone the skin, calm anxiety and stress, and support circulation, water retention and natural detox.
What blends well with geranium oil?
Geranium blends well with lavender, rose, frankincense and citrus oils such as lemon, bergamot and sweet orange. It also pairs nicely with neroli, jasmine, clary sage and cedarwood.
Can I mix geranium oil with frankincense?
Yes. Geranium and frankincense are a lovely pairing for relaxation and skin health. Add them to a massage oil or diffuser, as in the Lavender Confidante blend above.
Is diffusing geranium essential oil good?
Yes. Diffusing geranium fills the room with a sweet, floral scent that helps lift the mood and ease stress. Use 1 or 2 drops with lavender, lemon or rose for a balanced blend.
Does geranium brighten skin?
Yes, brighter skin is one of the main benefits of geranium. It helps balance oil, reduce redness and improve texture for a natural glow.
How do you use geranium oil on your face?
Always dilute it first. The DIY Geranium Skin Serum above is a simple option: massage a few drops into clean skin from the centre outwards, then follow with sunscreen.
How is geranium oil made?
Geranium essential oil is made by steam distilling the leaves of the geranium plant. You cannot easily make a pure essential oil at home, but you can steep the leaves in a carrier oil to make a gentle infused oil.
Who should not use geranium oil?
Avoid geranium in the first trimester of pregnancy, and take care if you have very sensitive skin. Always dilute it and check with a doctor if you are unsure.
The bottom line
Geranium essential oil is more than a sweet floral scent. It is a powerful ally for skincare, emotional wellbeing and lymphatic health. Start small with one of the five recipes above, then find geranium and its partner oils in our essential oils collection.
