Is citronella essential oil beneficial for the skin when properly diluted?

From the Guidelines

Citronella essential oil is not recommended for skin use due to its potential to cause irritation, sensitization, or allergic reactions, even when properly diluted. When considering the use of citronella essential oil on the skin, it's crucial to prioritize the potential risks to morbidity, mortality, and quality of life. Although citronella oil may have antimicrobial properties and a pleasant scent, its benefits do not outweigh the potential harm it can cause to the skin. The provided evidence 1 focuses on the management of radiation dermatitis and does not specifically address the use of citronella essential oil for skincare. However, the general principles of skin care outlined in these studies, such as maintaining good hygiene, avoiding skin irritants, and using gentle cleansers, can be applied to the use of any topical agent, including essential oils.

Some key points to consider when evaluating the use of citronella essential oil on the skin include:

• The potential for skin irritation, sensitization, or allergic reactions, even when diluted to 0.5-1% in a carrier oil 1
• The importance of performing a patch test before widespread use to check for reactions
• The need to avoid using citronella oil on sensitive skin or in individuals with certain health conditions
• The availability of gentler essential oils with better established skin benefits for those looking to improve their skincare routine

In the context of real-life clinical medicine, it is essential to prioritize caution and avoid using citronella essential oil on the skin, especially in individuals with sensitive skin or certain health conditions. Instead, consider alternative skincare ingredients that have a more established safety profile and proven benefits for the skin.

From the Research

Citronella Essential Oil and Skin Health

• Citronella essential oil can cause contact allergy, as shown in a study published in 2016, where it was found to have a positive patch test reaction in greater than 2% of patients 2.
• The oil's potential to cause skin irritation may be reduced when diluted properly, but there is limited research on the specific effects of diluted citronella essential oil on the skin.
• A review of the therapeutic potential of citronella essential oil published in 2019 highlights its various biological properties, including antimicrobial, anthelmintic, antioxidant, and wound healing activities 3.
• However, the review also notes that citronella essential oil can cause skin eruptions and other adverse effects, particularly when used in high concentrations or without proper dilution.

Patch Testing and Contact Allergy

• Patch testing with purified and oxidized citronellol, a component of citronella essential oil, has shown that oxidized citronellol detects more cases of contact allergy than purified citronellol 4.
• The study suggests that patch testing with oxidized citronellol may be useful in diagnosing fragrance allergy, but it does not provide direct evidence on the safety of citronella essential oil for skin use when diluted properly.
• Other studies on tea tree oil, another essential oil, have shown that it can cause contact allergy and that its chemical composition plays a role in its allergenic potential 5, 6.
• While these studies do not directly address citronella essential oil, they highlight the importance of considering the potential for contact allergy when using essential oils on the skin, even when diluted properly.