When it comes to protecting yourself and your family from mosquitoes and ticks, there’s a growing demand for clean, plant-based alternatives to chemical-laden repellents. But here’s the truth: not all botanical repellents are created equal.
At Notch, we developed our Nourish + Defend Botanical Insect Repellent using geraniol, a powerful, plant-derived active ingredient that not only delivers real results but outperforms many other natural repellents on the market. If you’re looking for protection that’s both effective and clean, this guide will help you understand what makes geraniol stand out.
*Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) vs. lemon eucalyptus essential oil. Despite having similar names, OLE is a different product than lemon eucalyptus essential oil. OLE is an extract from the leaves of the lemon eucalyptus tree. It’s enriched for an active ingredient called para-menthane-3,8-diol (PMD). PMD can also be chemically made in a laboratory. (Independent academic studies; footnotes below)
What Is Geraniol?
Geraniol is a naturally occurring compound found in the essential oils of plants like citronella, rose, and lemongrass. It’s a terpenoid alcohol with a light floral scent shown to repel mosquitoes with impressive efficacy.
Unlike citronella or lemongrass oil alone, geraniol works harder and lasts longer, making it a top choice for consumers who want effective protection without synthetic chemicals.
Why Geraniol Stands Out
In recent clinical and laboratory studies, geraniol shows it's more than just another botanical option, it’s a proven performer.
Here’s why:
- Outperforms Other Plant-Based Repellents. Geraniol has been shown to outperform other common botanical repellents, including citronella, lemongrass, and linalool, in both duration and effectiveness (source).
- Up to 97% Repellency in Lab Tests. At just 5% active concentration, geraniol has been shown to repel up to 97% of mosquitoes in controlled laboratory conditions (source).
- 1-1.5 Hours of Proven Protection. In independent testing, geraniol provided up to 1.5 hours of reliable protection—comparable to synthetic repellents like DEET and picaridin, but without the harsh chemicals (source).
Why We Chose Geraniol for Notch
When developing Notch Nourish + Defend Botanical Insect Repellent, we tested multiple natural ingredients for both efficacy and skin compatibility. Geraniol consistently ranked at the top, not just for mosquito protection, but also for its mildness on skin and low likelihood of irritation.
We use geraniol at a 5% active concentration, which science shows is the sweet spot for maximum repellency and safety.
And unlike traditional repellents, Notch doesn’t just protect, it hydrates too. Our lightweight formula is designed for daily wear, whether you're at a picnic at the park or enjoying a warm evening on the patio.
Footnotes
1. Mosquito protection (same strength)
Based on arm-in-cage assays at 10% lotion concentration in Luker et al., 2023 (Scientific Reports):
- Geraniol: >60 minutes CPT
- Citronella: ~30 minutes CPT
- Lemongrass: ~30–40 minutes CPT
Geraniol provided about 2× the complete protection time of citronella and lemongrass under the same test conditions.
Source: Luker et al., 2023 (uploaded: s41598-023-28820-9.pdf)
2. Tick protection
In the same study, and supported by additional field data:
- Geraniol produced meaningful tick repellency in “tick on-arm” CPT tests.
- Citronella and lemongrass did not demonstrate significant tick CPT under the same conditions.
- This is reinforced by Bissinger et al., 2014 (summarized in the NYS Geraniol Profile) showing 5% geraniol outperformed 15% DEET in tick drags.
Sources:
NYS IPM Geraniol Profile (geraniol-MRP-NYSIPM.pdf)
Luker et al., 2023 tick on-arm data
3. Concentration needed (Low / Medium)
Derived from dose–response findings:
- Geraniol shows a steep increase in efficacy between 4% → 5%, plateauing between 5–10% (Lopez et al., 2025).
- Citronella and lemongrass typically need 10–20% in formulations to approach strong CPT windows.
Sources:
Lopez et al., 2025 (Insects) (uploaded: Repellency_of_Essential_Oils_and_Plant-Derived_Com.pdf)
Luker et al., 2023
4. Skin irritation risk
From toxicology & irritation data:
- Geraniol at typical cosmetic levels shows low irritation.
- Citronella: documented irritant/sensitizer in fragrance literature.
- Lemongrass (high citral) is a well-known sensitizer, causing higher rates of skin reaction.
Source:
NYS IPM Geraniol Profile (irritation data)
General EO irritation levels summarized in Luker 2023 discussion
5. Scent descriptors
Consumer-friendly translations of documented odor profiles:
- Geraniol: light rose-citrus → “Fresh”
- Citronella: strong lemon-grasslike, chemical-sharp → “Pungent”
- Lemongrass: citral-rich, sharper & more herbal than citronella → “Sharp”
Source: Profiles in NYS IPM Geraniol Profile + Luker 2023 EO composition
