A fragrance substance with a lemon scent.
What it is
Citral is a mixture of two aldehydes (geranial and neral) found in lemongrass, lemon and verbena oils. It gives a fresh lemon note.
Where it is used
Found in perfumed products and products with citrus or lemongrass oils.
Limits of interpretation
The INCI list shows which ingredients are present, not how much of each. Above 1%, ingredients are listed in descending order of weight; below 1% the order is free.
Above set thresholds (0.001% in leave-on and 0.01% in rinse-off products) it must be named on EU labels as a fragrance allergen; its presence does not mean the product will cause a reaction.
Functions
- Fragrance
- Imparting an odour or taste. Creating a perceivable pleasant smell and/or masking a bad smell.
- Perfuming
- Used for perfume and aromatic raw materials.
- Flavouring
- Imparting taste and/or flavour to a cosmetic product.
EU regulation
- Product type
- (a) Lip make-up products, lipstick, lip salves (b) Deodorants and antiperspirants (c) Eye products, face make-up and make-up remover (d) Fragrance products (hydroalcoholic and non-hydroalcoholic, spray and non-spray) (e) Leave-on skin products (except lip products, deodorants and antiperspirants, fragrance products, eye products, face make-up and make-up remover) and nail products (f) Oral products (g) Hair leave-on products (h) Skin and hair rinse-off products (i) Leave-on products for the anogenital area (baby wipes and intimate wipes)
- Maximum concentration
- (a) 0,11 % (b) 0,032 % (c) 0,65 % (d) 0,6 % (e) 0,15 % (f) 0,35 % (g) 1,2 % (h) 1,2 % (i) 0,063 %
- As of
- 3 November 2026 · (EU) 2026/909
Safety Gate alerts (EU)
12 alerts about dangerous cosmetics in the EU mention this substance. An alert concerns a specific product, usually one that breaks EU rules.
- Neptune (2026-09-16)
- BLUE FOR MEN – ULTRA EDITION (2026-05-21)
- Shirley May DELUXE – Herman (2026-02-12)
- bioherba – Handpflegeöl (2025-12-04)
- R&R Skincare – Luxury Limited Skincare Shea Hand Cream (2025-03-04)
Scientific opinions (SCCS)
Opinions of the EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety that mention this ingredient. They assess specific uses and concentrations; read the opinion for its scope.
Products with this ingredient (1516)
- Football Season 3-in-1 Hair, Face & Body Wash · Bath & Body Works
- Cytrusowy poncz · 4 szpaki
- Black Musk Body Lotion · The Body Shop
- Guarana & Coffee Energising Cleanser for Men · The Body Shop
- Ginger Scalp Care Conditioner · The Body Shop
- Black Musk Deodorant · The Body Shop
- Black Musk Eau De Parfum · The Body Shop
- Full Ylang Ylang Eau de Parfum · The Body Shop
- Arber Eau de Toilette · The Body Shop
- British Rose Eau De Toilette · The Body Shop
- Glowing Cherry Blossom Eau de Toilette · The Body Shop
- Vibrant Bergamot Eau de Toilette · The Body Shop

