Lemongrass: A Botanical Note

Lemongrass essential oil is valued in skincare for its zesty, purifying character, traditionally associated with a fresh, clarifying feeling, and unlike most true citrus oils, it tends to hold its scent through the cold process cure considerably better, which makes it one of the more forgiving bright notes in my range to actually work with.

It also happens to be the scent I reach for most on a grey October morning, since it cuts through flatness better than almost anything else I make.

Where the scent comes from

Lemongrass essential oil is steam distilled from the leaves and stalks of the lemongrass plant, a tall tropical grass. Despite its citrus like scent, it is not a true citrus fruit oil, which is part of why it behaves differently in soap than lemon or orange do.

Its traditional place in skincare

Lemongrass carries a long traditional reputation for feeling clarifying and purifying, often included in fresher, brighter formulations aimed at an energised, clean feeling on the skin, in a similar family to how citrus and mint notes are generally used.

Why it holds up better than true citrus oils

Because lemongrass is a grass rather than a citrus fruit, its aromatic compounds behave somewhat differently through saponification and curing than true citrus oils like lemon or sweet orange. It generally fades less dramatically, which makes it a slightly more reliable choice if you want a genuinely zesty, bright scent without quite as much of the fading concern that comes with true citrus oils.

A scent with a slightly exotic edge

Lemongrass carries a touch more complexity than a straightforward citrus note, with a slightly green, almost tropical quality alongside its zest. It reads as a little more distinctive than sweet orange or pink grapefruit, which suits anyone looking for a bright scent that still feels a bit different.

Frequently asked questions

Is lemongrass essential oil the same as citrus essential oils like lemon?

No. Lemongrass comes from a grass plant rather than a citrus fruit, which is part of why it behaves differently, and generally more reliably, in cold process soap than true citrus oils.

Does lemongrass essential oil fade during soap curing?

It fades less than true citrus oils like lemon or sweet orange, though like most bright, lighter scents it can still soften somewhat over a full cure.

What does lemongrass smell like compared to lemon?

Lemongrass carries a zesty, green, slightly tropical quality, distinct from the sharper, more straightforward brightness of true lemon.

Lemongrass is one of the brighter, more distinctive scents in my essential oil range, and it is particularly popular through the autumn months when a little zest goes a long way.