"Why does my rose perfume fade by afternoon?"
If you've ever worn a floral perfume and noticed the rose character disappearing after 3-4 hours, you're experiencing geraniol evaporation.
The short answer: Geraniol lasts 3-5 hours at room temperature. In Indian heat (35°C), expect 2-4 hours.
It's a middle note - longer-lasting than citrus (limonene), similar duration to lavender (linalool), but nowhere near as persistent as woody base notes (santalol).
Geraniol has the same molecular weight as linalool (154), but a lower vapor pressure - making it slightly longer-lasting despite the identical mass.
In this post, I'll explain why geraniol lasts 3-5 hours, how it compares to other molecules, and what this means for rose-heavy perfumes.
Quick Answer: Geraniol Longevity Chart
| Temperature | Longevity | Note Classification |
|---|---|---|
| 25°C (Room temp) | 3-5 hours | Middle/Heart note |
| 35°C (Indian summer) | 2-4 hours | Fading middle note |
| 15°C (Cool/AC) | 4-6 hours | Extended middle note |
Comparison to other molecules:
| Molecule | MW | Longevity (25°C) | Longevity (35°C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Limonene (citrus) | 136 | 30-60 min | 20-40 min |
| Linalool (lavender) | 154 | 2-4 hours | 1.5-3 hours |
| Geraniol (rose) | 154 | 3-5 hours | 2-4 hours |
| Santalol (sandalwood) | 220 | 12-24 hours | 8-18 hours |
Key takeaway: Geraniol lasts 1.5x longer than linalool despite identical molecular weight, 6-10x longer than limonene, but 4-8x shorter than sandalol.
What Is Geraniol?
Geraniol is a monoterpene alcohol - the primary fragrance molecule in rose oil and geranium oil.
Chemical formula: C₁₀H₁₈O Molecular weight: 154.25 g/mol (identical to linalool) CAS Number: 106-24-1
Structure: Linear terpene with a hydroxyl (-OH) group
Smell profile:
- Sweet, rosy, floral
- Green, slightly citrus undertones
- Waxy, metallic facets at high concentration
- Fresh, uplifting character
Where geraniol comes from:
Natural sources with high geraniol content:
- Rose oil: 15-40% geraniol (varies by species)
- Geranium oil (Pelargonium): 15-30% geraniol
- Citronella oil: 20-25% geraniol
- Palmarosa oil: 70-85% geraniol (richest source)
- Lemongrass oil: 10-15% geraniol
Synthetic production:
- Most commercial geraniol is semi-synthetic
- Derived from pinene or lemongrass
- Chemically identical to natural geraniol
- More cost-effective and consistent
Usage in perfumery:
- One of the most important floral molecules
- Rose accord building block
- Used in 60-70% of floral perfumes
- Bridges fresh and floral categories
- Can be used up to 10-15% in fragrance concentrate
Why Geraniol Lasts 3-5 Hours
Despite having the same molecular weight as linalool (154), geraniol lasts slightly longer. Here's why:
Same Molecular Weight, Different Vapor Pressure
Linalool: MW 154, vapor pressure ~0.12 mmHg at 25°C Geraniol: MW 154, vapor pressure ~0.08 mmHg at 25°C
Lower vapor pressure = slower evaporation = longer longevity.
Geraniol's vapor pressure is about 30-40% lower than linalool, explaining why it lasts 1.5x longer despite identical molecular weight.
Why the difference?
Chemical structure matters more than molecular weight alone:
- Linalool: Tertiary alcohol (more volatile)
- Geraniol: Primary alcohol (less volatile)
- Geraniol: Linear structure (more intermolecular forces)
- Linalool: Branched structure (less intermolecular forces)
Result: Geraniol molecules "stick together" more, slowing evaporation.
Middle Note Classification
At MW 154, geraniol sits in the heart of the middle note range:
| Note Type | MW Range | Evaporation Time |
|---|---|---|
| Top notes | 130-160 | 30 min - 2 hours |
| Middle notes | 150-220 | 2-6 hours |
| Base notes | 200-300+ | 8-24+ hours |
Geraniol (154) is a classic middle note - the "heart" that emerges after top notes fade and before base notes dominate.
Temperature Impact
Like all molecules, geraniol evaporates faster when hot:
| Temperature | Relative Evaporation Rate | Geraniol Longevity |
|---|---|---|
| 15°C (cool) | 0.7x | 4-6 hours |
| 25°C (room temp) | 1.0x (baseline) | 3-5 hours |
| 35°C (Indian summer) | 1.5-1.8x | 2-4 hours |
In Delhi summer (40°C), geraniol-heavy perfumes might only last 2-3 hours before the rose character fades significantly.
Geraniol in Different Perfume Types
Rose Soliflores (Pure Rose)
Examples:
- Frédéric Malle Une Rose
- Diptyque L'Ombre dans L'Eau
- Jo Malone Red Roses
Geraniol role: Primary heart note (20-40% of composition)
Typical longevity: 4-6 hours total
- First hour: Fresh, green rose (geraniol + citronellol)
- Hours 2-4: Pure rosy heart (geraniol peak)
- Hours 4-6: Fading rose, woody base emerging
Why modest longevity? High geraniol concentration means most character evaporates by hour 5-6.
Floral Bouquets
Examples:
- Chanel No. 5 (rose + jasmine)
- Dior J'adore (mixed florals)
- YSL Libre (lavender + rose)
Geraniol role: Supporting middle note (5-15%)
Typical longevity: 6-8 hours
- First hour: Aldehydes + citrus top
- Hours 2-5: Geraniol + other florals (linalool, phenylethyl alcohol)
- Hours 6-8: Woody-musky base
Why longer? Geraniol blended with other middle notes and grounded by base notes.
Oriental Florals
Examples:
- Tom Ford Black Orchid
- Yves Saint Laurent Opium
- Lancôme Trésor
Geraniol role: Floral accent (3-8%)
Typical longevity: 8-12+ hours
Why longest? Geraniol is just a fleeting floral accent. Heavy resins, vanilla, and amber carry the fragrance all day.
India Climate Impact on Geraniol
Tested in Mumbai and Delhi conditions:
| Condition | Geraniol Longevity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| European climate (20°C) | 4-5 hours | Baseline performance |
| Indian winter (25°C) | 3-4 hours | Slightly faster |
| Indian summer (35°C) | 2-3.5 hours | 30-40% reduction |
| Delhi peak summer (40°C+) | 2-3 hours | 40-50% reduction |
| AC environment (22°C) | 3.5-5 hours | Close to baseline |
Key insight: Heat significantly impacts geraniol. Rose perfumes designed for Paris (20°C) will have noticeably shorter rose phase in Mumbai summer.
Practical implication:
A rose perfume with 20% geraniol:
- Paris: Rosy heart lasts 4-5 hours
- Mumbai summer: Rosy heart lasts 2-3 hours
After that, you're left with base notes (if any) or the scent fades entirely.
Geraniol vs Other Floral Molecules
How does geraniol compare to other common florals?
Geraniol vs Linalool
| Property | Geraniol | Linalool |
|---|---|---|
| MW | 154 | 154 |
| Smell | Rosy, floral, sweet | Lavender, floral-woody |
| Longevity (25°C) | 3-5 hours | 2-4 hours |
| Vapor pressure | ~0.08 mmHg | ~0.12 mmHg |
| Source | Rose, geranium | Lavender, bergamot |
Winner for longevity: Geraniol (20-30% longer despite same MW)
Geraniol vs Phenylethyl Alcohol (Rose Alcohol)
| Property | Geraniol | Phenylethyl Alcohol |
|---|---|---|
| MW | 154 | 122 |
| Smell | Green-rosy | Honey-rosy, heavier |
| Longevity (25°C) | 3-5 hours | 2-3 hours |
| Character | Fresh rose | Rich rose |
Geraniol lasts longer despite higher MW of PEA seeming like it should last longer - vapor pressure matters more.
Geraniol vs Citronellol (Rose Molecule)
| Property | Geraniol | Citronellol |
|---|---|---|
| MW | 154 | 156 |
| Smell | Sweet rosy | Rosy, slightly citrus |
| Longevity (25°C) | 3-5 hours | 3-5 hours (similar) |
Very similar longevity - often blended together in rose accords.
How to Make Geraniol Last Longer
Geraniol's 3-5 hour longevity is fixed by chemistry, but you can extend the overall rose character:
1. Choose Rose Perfumes with Woody Bases
Look for perfumes where rose is the heart, not the entirety:
- Diptyque Eau Rose: Rose + woody base (6-8hr)
- Tom Ford Noir de Noir: Rose + oud + truffle (10-12hr)
- Byredo Rose of No Man's Land: Rose + papyrus + amber (8-10hr)
The geraniol still fades by hour 4, but base notes carry the composition longer.
2. Layer with Fixatives
Apply a base layer first:
- Sandalwood oil (creamy + rosy works beautifully)
- Rose oud (oud extends rose character)
- Vanilla (sweet + floral synergy)
Then apply rose perfume on top. The base persists after geraniol evaporates.
3. Apply to Cooler Skin Areas
- Inside elbows (cooler than wrists)
- Back of knees
- Lower back
- Hair (if alcohol-free oil)
Cooler areas = slower evaporation = 30-60 min extra longevity.
4. Use Rose Absolute or Otto (Oil-Based)
Geraniol in oil evaporates slower than in alcohol:
- Alcohol-based: 3-5 hours
- Oil-based (rose otto): 5-8 hours
Rose attar or oil-based formulations extend longevity significantly.
Geraniol Safety and Allergen Info
Geraniol is generally safe but must be disclosed as a potential allergen.
IFRA Standards
IFRA requires geraniol to be listed as an allergen if concentration >0.001% in the final product.
Why?
- Geraniol can oxidize over time
- Oxidized geraniol forms hydroperoxides
- Hydroperoxides are potential sensitizers
IFRA requirements:
- Add antioxidants (BHT, vitamin E) to prevent oxidation
- Limit concentration in certain product categories
- Label as allergen
What this means for you:
If you're sensitive to fragrances:
- Avoid old rose perfumes (2+ years) where geraniol may have oxidized
- Look for perfumes with antioxidants
- Patch test before full application
- Fresh geraniol is generally safer than oxidized
Natural vs Synthetic Geraniol
Natural geraniol (from rose/geranium):
- Contains trace amounts of other compounds
- Slightly more complex smell
- More expensive
- Variable quality
Synthetic geraniol:
- 99%+ purity
- Consistent quality
- Less expensive
- Identical molecular structure
From a safety and longevity perspective, synthetic geraniol is often superior due to higher purity and consistency.
Famous Rose Perfumes (Geraniol-Heavy)
These perfumes rely heavily on geraniol:
1. Frédéric Malle Une Rose
- High geraniol concentration (20-30%)
- Longevity: 5-7 hours
- Pure Turkish rose character
2. Diptyque L'Ombre dans L'Eau
- Geraniol + blackcurrant
- Longevity: 4-6 hours
- Green rose profile
3. Jo Malone Red Roses
- Fresh cut rose (high geraniol)
- Longevity: 3-4 hours
- Very realistic rose
4. Chanel No. 5
- Geraniol in the floral bouquet
- Longevity: 6-8 hours (aldehydes + base extend it)
- Classic rose-jasmine blend
5. Dior J'adore
- Geraniol supporting role
- Longevity: 6-8 hours
- White floral + rose
All of these smell incredible during the geraniol phase (hours 1-4), then transition to whatever base notes the perfumer included.
Key Takeaways
Geraniol longevity:
- ✓ 3-5 hours at 25°C (room temperature)
- ✓ 2-4 hours at 35°C (Indian summer)
- ✓ 4-6 hours in cool/AC environments
Why this matters:
- Geraniol is the primary rose molecule in perfumery
- If a perfume is geraniol-heavy (rose soliflore), expect moderate longevity
- In Indian heat, the rose character fades 30-40% faster
Comparison to other molecules:
- 1.5x longer than linalool (despite same MW 154)
- 6-10x longer than limonene
- 4-8x shorter than santalol
- Similar to other middle notes
How to maximize geraniol longevity:
- Choose rose perfumes with woody/amber bases
- Layer with fixatives (sandalwood, vanilla)
- Apply to cooler skin areas
- Use rose otto/absolute (oil-based lasts longer)
For perfume shopping:
- Pure rose soliflores: expect 4-6 hour lifespan
- Rose with woody base: expect 6-10 hours (base carries it)
- In Indian summer: rose character fades to 2-3 hours
- Fresh geraniol > oxidized (safety)
Bottom line: Geraniol is a beautiful rosy middle note, but it's not built for marathon longevity. Enjoy it for what it is - the heart of the fragrance that blooms and fades like a real rose.
Further Reading
Want to understand longevity of other molecules?
- Perfume Molecule Longevity Chart: Complete MW Guide - Master reference hub
- Linalool Longevity: Lavender's 2-4 Hour Lifespan - Similar middle note character
- Limonene Evaporation Time: Why Citrus Fades Fast - Fastest-evaporating top note
- Hedione Longevity: The Jasmine Radiance Molecule - Floral with longer duration
- Santalol Longevity: Why Sandalwood Lasts 24+ Hours - Base note fixative
- 11 Fascinating Fragrance Chemistry Facts - Surprising discoveries
Looking for perfumes formulated for Indian climate? Browse our collection →
References
- PubChem. 'Geraniol Compound Summary.' National Center for Biotechnology Information
- Turek, C., & Stintzing, F. C. (2013). 'Stability of Essential Oils: A Review.' Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, 12(1)
- IFRA (International Fragrance Association). 'IFRA Standards for Geraniol'
- Fragrantica. 'Rose perfume ingredient, Rose fragrance and essential oils'
- The Good Scents Company. 'Geraniol Technical Data'
About Syed Asif Sultan
Founder of House of Sultan. Passionate about fragrance chemistry and transparency in perfumery.