Citrus Aurantium

Citrus Aurantium Description

_Citrus aurantium_, also sometimes listed on skincare labels as _Citrus aurantium amara_, is the taxonomic name for a plant more commonly called the bitter orange that is native to Southeast Asia.

When it comes to citrus in skincare, which part of the plant is used is important. While all parts of the bitter orange have skin-beneficial antioxidant compounds, certain extracts are harmful.

This is especially true of the oil extracted from bitter orange flowers, known also as neroli oil. A potent fragrance ingredient, this oil can cause phototoxicity, where skin has an allergic response when it comes into contact with UV light. It also contains compounds, including linalool and limonene, that cause skin irritation.

There are other, better plant extracts that don’t pose this risk of irritation, including non-fragrant plant oils such as grape and olive, that we recommend instead of the one from _Citrus aurantium_.