Citral

Citral is a naturally occurring aldehyde found in lemongrass and citrus oils, widely used as a fragrance component. It gives formulations a bright lemon note but is a listed fragrance allergen and typically present at low concentrations.
Like this ingredient?

Ingredient Snapshot

Overview
A citrus-scented fragrance ingredient that can be sensitizing.
Category
Fragrance
Type
Fragrance

Ingredient Ratings

Overall Rating

Fair

Comedogenic Risk

None

Skin Benefits

Provides a crisp citrus aroma that feels fresh and uplifting, improving the overall sensory experience. Helps refresh the scent profile of products.

Uses In Skincare & Cosmetics

Common in perfumes, deodorants, and facial cleansers; also used to fragrance shampoos and leave-in hair products.

Comedogenic Rating

This ingredient is not typically evaluated for comedogenicity, and no standardized rating is available.

Safety

Can cause irritation or allergic contact dermatitis, especially if oxidized; store products tightly closed and away from heat. In the EU, it requires allergen labeling above 0.001% in leave‑on and 0.01% in rinse‑off formulations.

Is Citral a Good Ingredient?

Delivers a bright lemon note but is a common fragrance allergen/irritant, with oxidation potentially increasing sensitization risk. Usually kept at low percentages to balance scent with tolerability. Those gaps in the evidence, plus the added risk, are why it sits at Fair.

Products with Citral

Related Ingredients