Lemongrass Essential Oil

• Product Name: Lemongrass Essential Oil
• INCI Name: Cymbopogon Flexuosus (Lemongrass) Leaf Oil
• Botanical Name: Cymbopogon flexuosus
• CAS Number: 8007-02-1 ; 91844-92-7
• Part Used: Leaves
• Extraction Method: Steam Distilled Essential Oil
• Quality: 100% Pure and Natural — no carrier oils, diluents, or synthetics
• Note Classification: Middle to Top Note
• Appearance: Pale yellow to orange yellow coloured liquid
• Odour: Fresh, strong, lemon-like, herbaceous-grassy aroma
• Refractive Index: 1.474 – 1.494 @ 20°C
• Specific Gravity: 0.884 – 0.911 g/mL @ 20°C
• Optical Rotation: -5° to +2°
• Solubility: Soluble in alcohols and fixed oils; insoluble in water
• Stability & Storage: Store in a tightly closed container in a cool, dry place protected from sunlight. Shelf life 24 months; quality should be checked before use beyond this period
• IFRA Compliance: Certified compliant to the 51st Amendment to IFRA Standards (July 2023)
• Documents Available: TDS, IFRA Certificate of Conformity, MSDS

MICROBIAL & PURITY TESTING

• Aerobic Mesophilic Bacterial Count: <100 CFU/g (ISO 21149)
• Yeast and Mould: <10 CFU/g (ISO 16212)
• Candida albicans: Absent / 1g (ISO 18416)
• Escherichia coli: Absent / 1g (ISO 21150)
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Absent / 1g (ISO 22717)
• Staphylococcus aureus: Absent / 1g (ISO 22718)
• Lead (Pb): <10 ppm
• Arsenic (As): <2 ppm
• Mercury (Hg): <1 ppm

IFRA USAGE RATES (Maximum Concentration by Category)

This product is certified compliant with IFRA 51st Amendment standards. Maximum usage rates by product category:

• Category 1 (Lip products, children's toys): 0.75%
• Category 2 (Deodorants, body sprays, axillae): 0.12%
• Category 3 (Eye products, facial makeup, face/body wipes): 1.25%
• Category 4 (Fine fragrance, Eau de Toilette, aftershave): 4.20%
• Category 5A (Body creams, lotions, oils — leave-on): 2.97%
• Category 5B (Face moisturisers — leave-on): 2.97%
• Category 5C (Hand creams — leave-on): 2.97%
• Category 5D (Baby creams, baby oils, baby talc): 0.95%
• Category 6 (Toothpaste, mouthwash — oral exposure): 2.90%
• Category 7A (Rinse-off hair products): 2.30%
• Category 7B (Leave-on hair products, hair sprays): 2.30%
• Category 8 (Intimate products, baby wipes): 0.89%
• Category 9 (Bar soap, shampoo, body wash, bath bombs, shaving — rinse-off): 5.80%
• Category 10A (Household cleaners, reed diffusers, oil burners): 5.80%
• Category 10B (Household aerosols, air fresheners): 12.20%
• Category 11A (Feminine hygiene pads, diapers — no UV): 1.25%
• Category 11B (Pillow sprays, facial tissues, UV exposure): 1.25%
• Category 12 (Candles, non-skin contact products): 100.00%

Critical notes for formulators:

Category 2 (deodorants, antiperspirants, body sprays): maximum only 0.12%. This is extremely low. Lemongrass Essential Oil should not be used as a primary scent in deodorant formulations — even 0.12% will deliver very little perceptible fragrance. If your product is labelled or marketed as a deodorant or antiperspirant, lemongrass is not a suitable main essential oil at any practical use rate.

Category 9 (rinse-off — cold process soap, shampoo, body wash, bath bombs): maximum 5.80%. This is more restrictive than lavender (100%) and sweet orange (100%) but allows for a well-scented soap at typical usage rates of 1–3%. Do not exceed 5.80% in any rinse-off formulation.

Category 5A (leave-on body lotions): maximum 2.97%. Practical usage rate of 0.5–1.5% recommended within this limit.

Category 12 (candles): unrestricted at 100%. Lemongrass is an excellent candle oil with strong scent throw. Typical candle fragrance loads of 6–10% are well within this limit.

Category 5D (baby products): maximum 0.95%. Lemongrass is generally not recommended for baby skincare formulations — the citral content is a known sensitiser at higher concentrations and the IFRA limit of 0.95% leaves very little practical margin for scent.

RECOMMENDED USAGE RATES FOR COMMON APPLICATIONS

• Cold Process Soap: 1–3% of total oil weight — well within Category 9 maximum of 5.80%
• Hot Process Soap: 1–3% of total oil weight — add at cool-down stage
• Melt & Pour Soap: 1–3% — stir in at 55–60°C before pouring
• Shampoo / Body Wash (rinse-off): 0.5–2% of total formulation
• Bath Bombs: 1–3% of total dry weight
• Body Lotion (Category 5A): up to 2.97% maximum — typical usage 0.5–1.5%
• Face Moisturiser (Category 5B): up to 2.97% maximum — use with caution; patch test essential
• Hand Cream (Category 5C): up to 2.97%
• Candles (Category 12): unrestricted — 6–10% typical for strong scent throw
• Massage Oil: 0.5–1.5% diluted in carrier oil
• Diffuser / Aromatherapy: 3–6 drops per 100ml water
• Reed Diffuser / Oil Burner (Category 10A): up to 5.80%
• Deodorant / Antiperspirant (Category 2): maximum 0.12% — not recommended as a primary scent at this level
• NOT RECOMMENDED at practical rates: deodorants and antiperspirants, baby products

Note on soap performance: Lemongrass Essential Oil generally behaves well in cold process soap with minimal acceleration of trace. The citral content helps retain a citrus-herbal scent note in the cured bar better than most citrus fruit essential oils. Use at 2–3% for best scent retention. Combining with a base note such as cedarwood or patchouli at 10–20% of your total essential oil blend will help anchor and extend the lemongrass scent.

Bold, fresh, strongly citrus-herbaceous aroma — one of the most distinctive and instantly recognisable essential oil scents for Australian soap, candle, and bath product makers

Middle-to-top note classification — delivers both immediate scent impact and more body than a pure top note; better longevity in blends than most citrus essential oils

More tenacious scent in cold process soap than fruit-derived citrus oils such as lemon or lime — the citral in lemongrass holds better through saponification

Unrestricted in candle applications (Category 12: 100%) — excellent scent throw in soy, coconut, and paraffin wax

Well suited to tropical, spa, wellness, and clean fresh product collections — broadly appealing to Australian consumers

IFRA compliant to 51st Amendment — suitable for professional cosmetic formulation with documented safety data

Fully documented with TDS, IFRA Certificate, and MSDS — meets requirements for cosmetic product safety assessment

Highly effective in diffuser and aromatherapy applications — one of the most requested oils for uplifting and energising diffuser blends

Widely reported in aromatherapy literature for uplifting and energising properties

Blends naturally with a wide range of essential oils — especially other citruses, florals, woods, and herbs

Soluble in fixed oils and alcohols — compatible with oil-phase cosmetic and soap formulations

• For cosmetic and aromatic use only — do not ingest
• Concentrated essential oil — always dilute before skin application; do not apply neat to skin
• Contains citral — a known skin sensitiser at higher concentrations; classified as Skin Sensitizer Category 1 per MSDS
• Always use at or below IFRA category limits — exceeding these rates increases sensitisation risk particularly in leave-on applications
• May cause mild skin irritation, eye irritation, or allergic skin reaction in sensitive individuals
• Avoid contact with eyes; if contact occurs rinse cautiously with water for several minutes and seek medical advice if irritation persists
• Not recommended in products for babies, young children, or deodorant formulations at practical usage rates — refer to IFRA category limits above
• Perform a patch test before use in all new formulations, particularly leave-on skin care products
• Hazardous to aquatic life — do not dispose of down drains, into waterways, or onto the ground
• Keep away from heat, hot surfaces, open flames, and ignition sources
• Wash hands thoroughly after handling
• Wear gloves and eye protection when handling in bulk quantities
• Keep out of reach of children
• If swallowed do not induce vomiting — contact Poisons Information Centre (Australia: 13 11 26) immediately
• Store in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight
• Shelf life 24 months — check quality before use if stored longer than this period

BLENDING GUIDE

Lemongrass Essential Oil blends naturally with:

• Lavender Essential Oil — the classic Australian spa pairing; balances the sharp citral note of lemongrass with soft floral calm; excellent in soap, candles, and bath products
• Geranium Essential Oil — floral and green; beautifully rounds lemongrass in body lotion and fine fragrance applications
• Cedarwood Essential Oil — warm woody base anchors and extends the lemongrass top note in soap and candles; highly effective for scent retention
• Peppermint Essential Oil — fresh and invigorating combination; popular in energising shower products and soap bars
• Sweet Orange Essential Oil — layered citrus combination with tropical warmth; popular in bath bombs and candles
• Bergamot Essential Oil — sophisticated citrus floral pairing; popular in premium soap and fine fragrance applications
• Tea Tree Essential Oil — clean and purifying pairing; popular in natural deodorant adjacent products and clarifying skin care formulations (note IFRA deodorant limits for both oils)
• Rosemary Essential Oil — herbal freshness complements the grassy notes of lemongrass; popular in hair care and scalp treatments
• Frankincense Essential Oil — unusual but striking pairing; earthy resin grounds the sharpness of lemongrass in meditation and wellness product ranges
• Patchouli Essential Oil — earthy base note anchors lemongrass for longer-lasting scent in soap and candles; a beloved classic pairing in natural product making

What is the INCI name for Lemongrass Essential Oil?
The correct INCI name is Cymbopogon Flexuosus (Lemongrass) Leaf Oil. This is the name that must appear on your finished cosmetic product ingredient list when selling in Australia under AICIS cosmetic notification requirements. Note that there are two species of lemongrass used in essential oil production — Cymbopogon flexuosus (East Indian lemongrass) and Cymbopogon citratus (West Indian lemongrass). These have different INCI names and slightly different aroma profiles. Our product is Cymbopogon flexuosus.

What is the maximum usage rate for Lemongrass Essential Oil in cold process soap?
The IFRA Category 9 (rinse-off) maximum rate is 5.80%. Most soap makers use 1–3% of total oil weight which is well within this limit. At 3% in a 500g oil batch you would use approximately 15ml of lemongrass essential oil. Do not exceed 5.80% in any rinse-off formulation — lemongrass is significantly more restricted in soap than lavender or sweet orange.

Can I use Lemongrass Essential Oil in a deodorant or body spray?
Not practically. The IFRA Category 2 maximum for deodorants, antiperspirants, and body sprays is only 0.12%. At this concentration the scent would be imperceptible in a finished product. Lemongrass Essential Oil is not suitable as a primary fragrance ingredient in deodorant formulations. If you are making a natural deodorant and want a citrus-fresh scent, consider a lemon or citrus fragrance oil which may have higher applicable rates, or consult the IFRA certificate for other essential oils.

Will Lemongrass Essential Oil hold its scent in cold process soap?
Lemongrass holds significantly better in cold process soap than most cold pressed citrus fruit oils. The citral and geraniol content contributes to better scent retention through saponification compared to limonene-dominant oils like lemon or orange. You will still experience some scent fading during cure — using at 2–3% of total oil weight and anchoring with cedarwood or patchouli at 10–20% of your total essential oil blend will maximise performance. The finished bar typically retains a pleasant, softer version of the original lemongrass scent.

Is Lemongrass Essential Oil the same as Lemon Essential Oil?
No — they are entirely different plants and essential oils. Lemon Essential Oil is cold pressed from the peel of Citrus limon fruit and has a bright, fresh, clean lemon scent. Lemongrass Essential Oil is steam distilled from the leaves of Cymbopogon flexuosus grass and has a stronger, more complex lemon-like aroma with herbaceous-grassy undertones. Lemon Essential Oil has much lower IFRA leave-on limits (and is phototoxic in cold pressed form), while Lemongrass has different — and in some categories more restrictive — limits driven by its citral content.

Can I use Lemongrass Essential Oil in soy candles?
Yes. Under IFRA Category 12 (non-skin contact products including candles) the maximum usage rate is 100%. Lemongrass performs excellently in soy, coconut, and paraffin wax candles, with strong both cold and hot throw. A typical fragrance load of 6–10% of wax weight is recommended. It is one of the best essential oils for candle making when a fresh, clean, citrus-herbal scent is desired.

Is Lemongrass Essential Oil suitable for sensitive skin?
With caution. Lemongrass contains citral, a known skin sensitiser. In rinse-off products like soap it is generally well tolerated at usage rates of 1–3%, but individuals with sensitive or reactive skin should patch test before regular use. In leave-on formulations the maximum IFRA rate of 2.97% (body lotion) should not be exceeded, and even within this limit a patch test is strongly recommended for sensitive skin types.

What is the shelf life of Lemongrass Essential Oil?
When stored correctly in a sealed container in a cool, dark location away from heat and direct sunlight, Lemongrass Essential Oil has a shelf life of 24 months. This is shorter than Lavender (36 months) and Peppermint (36 months) — plan your purchasing accordingly and check quality before use if approaching or beyond this period. Oxidised lemongrass oil has a flatter, less fresh aroma and may have increased sensitisation potential; it should not be used in finished formulations.

YOU MAY ALSO NEED

• Essential Oils Collection — shop the full range of pure essential oils for soap, candles, and cosmetics
• Fragrance Oils — including orange fragrance oil for stronger scent retention in cold process soap
• Lavender Essential Oil — the classic pairing with sweet orange for soap, bath bombs, and candles
• Caustic Soda (Sodium Hydroxide) — essential for cold process soap making
• Bath Bomb Supplies — everything you need to add sweet orange essential oil to bath bomb recipes
• Candle Supplies — soy wax, wicks, and tins for sweet orange candle making
• Essential Oil Blending guide – Digital PDF — includes essential oil blends for beginners