Sweet orange smells exactly like peeling a fresh orange: bright, sweet and happy. It's one of the most affordable and crowd-pleasing essential oils, and a great choice if you're new to aromatherapy.
What is sweet orange essential oil?
Sweet orange oil is cold-pressed from the peel of Citrus sinensis, the same oranges you eat. Its main compound is limonene, which gives it its fresh citrus scent.
Benefits of orange oil
1. Lifts your mood
Citrus scents are linked to a brighter, more upbeat feeling. Some small studies have found that smelling sweet orange may help people feel less anxious in stressful situations, like waiting at the dentist.
2. Makes the whole house smell fresh
Orange is the perfect "welcome home" scent for living rooms and kitchens. It's also great for covering cooking smells.
3. A natural cleaning helper
Limonene is a natural degreaser, which is why orange is a common ingredient in natural cleaning products. Add it to your homemade sprays for a fresh scent.
4. A cheerful massage oil
Diluted in a carrier oil, orange makes a warm, uplifting massage or body oil, especially when blended with vanilla.
How to use orange oil
- Diffuser: 4–6 drops. Orange is gentle, so you can use a bit more.
- Cleaning spray: 15 drops in a spray bottle with 1 cup of water and 1/2 cup of white vinegar. Shake before use.
- Body oil: 5–6 drops in 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of carrier oil such as argan oil.
- DIY potpourri: a few drops on dried orange slices or pinecones.
Orange blends well with
Vanilla, ginger, lavender and peppermint. For a cozy holiday diffuser blend, try 3 drops orange + 2 drops ginger. For a body oil, add 3 drops orange to 10 ml of our vanilla oil.
Side effects and safety tips
- Always dilute before skin use and patch test first.
- Citrus oils oxidize faster than others. Keep the cap tight, store in a cool, dark place and use within about a year of opening. Old citrus oil is more likely to irritate skin.
- Don't swallow essential oils, and keep them away from children and pets.
- Check with your doctor if pregnant, breastfeeding or managing a medical condition.
More on safe use: Essential oil dilution guidelines.
Frequently asked questions
Is sweet orange oil phototoxic?
Sweet orange oil is generally not considered phototoxic, unlike lemon or bitter orange. It's still smart to dilute it and patch test.
What's the difference between orange and lemon essential oil?
Orange is sweeter and more relaxing; lemon is sharper and more energizing. Lemon is also phototoxic on skin. See our lemon oil guide.
Can I put orange oil in my drinking water?
No. Don't swallow essential oils. Use fresh orange slices instead.
Is orange oil good for skin?
It's mainly used for its scent. Diluted in a body oil, it adds an uplifting fragrance; avoid using old, oxidized oil on skin.
Shop organic orange oil
Our Organic Orange Essential Oil is 100% pure, undiluted and certified organic, in a 10 ml glass bottle. It's also included in our Organic Essential Oils Kit, and it's the scent in our best-selling Whipped Body Butter (Orange).