Ingredient decoder

Geraniol: is it comedogenic? What it does in skincare

INCI name: Geraniol

Acne verdict Watch

Worth watching on acne-prone skin

  • ComedogenicNo published rating
  • IrritancyNo published rating

What it does

Scent ingredient that can cause allergic reactions in some people.

  • Perfuming
  • Tonic

Geraniol in plain English

Geraniol is a rose-like scent compound found in rose, geranium and palmarosa oils, added to products for fragrance. It is one of the scent components that must be named on EU labels above set levels because it can trigger allergic reactions in some people. For acne-prone skin it does not clog pores, but irritation and redness can make breakouts look and feel worse, so sensitive skin may do better without it.

Is geraniol bad for acne?

Not usually, but it is worth watching. Geraniol is not a proven pore-clogger, but scent ingredients like this can irritate sensitive skin, and irritated skin can make breakouts look and feel worse. Notice how your skin reacts when a product lists it near the top.

Clean routine and still breaking out? The cause may be internal. See what is driving it

Also called

  • Geraniol
  • Trans-geraniol

Related ingredients

Browse all ingredients A to Z

Frequently asked questions

Is geraniol comedogenic?

Geraniol has no published comedogenic rating in Fulton's 1989 table. It is not a proven pore-clogger, but it is worth watching on acne-prone skin.

What does geraniol do in skincare?

In short: scent ingredient that can cause allergic reactions in some people. In formulas it is used for perfuming and tonic.

What else is geraniol called on ingredient labels?

On ingredient lists, geraniol can also appear as Trans-geraniol.

Sources