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Citronella oil is one of the most common “natural mosquito repellent” ingredients on the market and has long been used in Asian traditions for insect repellency, incense, and folk remedies. After the 20th century, with the widespread adoption of the chemical mosquito repellent DEET, citronella oil was temporarily sidelined; however, in recent years, as demand for “plant-based” and “natural mosquito repellents” has risen, it has once again become a popular ingredient in the public eye. But can it truly replace chemical mosquito repellents?
Citronella oil is an essential oil extracted from lemongrass through steam distillation, primarily derived from the grass species Cymbopogon nardus or Cymbopogon winterianus. Native to the tropical regions of South and Southeast Asia, it has a fresh, herbal scent reminiscent of lemon and has long been used for insect repellency, incense, and folk remedies.
Citronella oil does not kill mosquitoes; rather, it acts as a repellent by disrupting the mosquitoes’ olfactory receptors with its strong, volatile scent, making it difficult for them to detect attractant signals such as carbon dioxide and lactic acid emitted by the human body.
This is the most widely known use of citronella oil. It is commonly added to products such as mosquito repellent lotions, sprays, creams, wristbands, and patches, and is also used in outdoor citronella candles, torches, and incense sticks. Citronella oil has a certain repellent effect on some biting insects, such as mosquitoes, midges, and gnats, but its repellent effect on ticks is relatively weak and short-lived.
It should be noted that the protective effect of citronella oil typically lasts between 20 minutes and 2 hours, making it suitable for low-risk, short-term outdoor activities, such as evening walks in the yard, relaxing on the balcony, or short camping trips. In areas with high insect density or a risk of mosquito-borne diseases, one should not rely solely on citronella oil.
Citronella oil has a refreshing lemongrass scent and is widely used in soaps, shampoos, body washes, perfumes, air fresheners, and cleaning products. In addition, it has some auxiliary antibacterial properties; however, this does not mean that applying citronella oil can treat skin infections.
In aromatherapy, lemongrass oil is often diluted for use in diffusers or massage. Its refreshing herbal scent is believed to help invigorate the mind and relieve tension and fatigue. However, lemongrass oil has a strong scent that some people may find overpowering, so ensure the area is well-ventilated when using it.
DEET (N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide) is one of the most thoroughly researched and widely used mosquito repellent ingredients. Compared to citronella oil, there are significant differences between the two in terms of concentration, duration of protection, and suitable applications:
Citronella oil provides protection for a shorter duration, primarily because it is highly volatile and its scent dissipates quickly. Even when the concentration is increased, the duration of protection is limited by its volatility.
The relationship between DEET concentration and protection duration is more clearly defined: 10% DEET provides approximately 2 hours of protection, while 20%–30% DEET provides approximately 4–6 hours of protection. When DEET concentrations exceed 30%–50%, the increase in protection duration is limited, and it may actually increase the risk of skin absorption and irritation.
Therefore, citronella oil can serve as a natural option for everyday, low-risk situations, but it is not recommended as a substitute for well-established mosquito repellent ingredients such as DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 in high-risk areas.
1. It Must Be Diluted; Never Apply Undiluted Essential Oil Directly to the Skin: Pure lemongrass oil is highly concentrated, and direct contact with the skin may cause redness, itching, a burning sensation, or even contact dermatitis. It is generally recommended to limit the concentration for topical application to 1%–5%, and to dilute it with a carrier oil, unscented lotion, or a commercially available product. For mosquito repellents, a concentration of 5%–15% may be used.
2. Perform a skin test first: Before using it for the first time, apply a small amount of the diluted product to the inner side of your forearm and observe for 24 to 48 hours. If reactions such as redness, swelling, itching, or stinging occur, discontinue use immediately.
3. Avoid sensitive areas: Citronella oil should be kept away from the eyes, mouth, nose, mucous membranes, broken skin, and sunburned areas. If it accidentally gets into the eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water.
4. Use with Caution on Children: Infants and toddlers have thin skin barriers and weak metabolic capacity; products containing citronella oil are not recommended for children under 2 years of age. For older children, it is best to consult a pediatrician before use and avoid applying the product to their hands to prevent them from rubbing their eyes or accidentally ingesting it.
5. Reapply Frequently: Since citronella oil evaporates quickly, protection time is further reduced after sweating, swimming, or wiping the skin. It is generally recommended to reapply every 30 to 60 minutes. For extended outdoor activities, choose a mosquito repellent with longer-lasting ingredients.
6. Do Not Ingest: Accidental ingestion of citronella oil may cause nausea, vomiting, throat irritation, and abdominal pain; in severe cases, it may suppress the central nervous system. If ingested, seek medical attention immediately; do not induce vomiting on your own.
It is not recommended to apply citronella oil to pets on your own, especially cats.
Cats have a limited ability to metabolize terpenoid essential oils such as citronella oil. Contact with or accidental ingestion may cause drooling, vomiting, lethargy, abnormal breathing, or even liver damage. It is not recommended to use citronella oil products on cats or in environments where cats frequently spend time. Dogs are relatively tolerant, but high-concentration pure essential oils should not be applied directly to their skin to prevent them from licking it off. It is best to consult a veterinarian before using insect repellents specifically formulated for pets.
Jinan Jinbon Chem is a professional supplier of citronella oil, offering ample inventory at competitive prices, along with TDS sheets and reasonable after-sales solutions. If you are interested in our products, please feel free to contact us at any time.
We are always committed to delivering optimal chemical solutions for all application scenarios.
