With its powerful lemon-like aroma, citronella is a familiar component of bug-repelling sprays. Astringent and cleansing citronella is also useful for oily, blemished skin and large pores. It can be irritating, so be sure to dilute properly

• Always read and follow all label warnings and cautions
• Keep oils tightly closed and out of the reach of children
• Never ingest essential oils
• Don't use undiluted oils on your skin (Dilute with vegetable oils such as sweet almond oil or grapeseed oil)
• Skin test oils before using. Dilute a small amount and apply to the skin on your inner arm. Do not use if redness or irritation occurs.
• Keep oils away from eyes and mucous membranes.
• If redness, burning, itching or irritation occur, stop using oils immediately.
• Avoid use of these oils during pregnancy: bitter almond, basil, clary sage, clove bud, hyssop, sweet fennel, juniper berry, marjoram, myrrh, peppermint, rose, rosemary, sage, thyme and wintergreen.
• These oils can be especially irritating to the skin: allspice, bitter almond, basil, cinnamon leaf, cinnamon bark, clove bud, sweet fennel, fir needle, lemon, lemongrass, melissa, peppermint, tea tree and wintergreen.
• Angelica and all citrus oils make the skin more sensitive to ultraviolet light. Do not go out into the sun with these oils on your skin.
• Sweet fennel, hyssop, sage and rosemary should not be used by anyone with epilepsy.
• People with high blood pressure should avoid hyssop, rosemary, sage and thyme.