Ingredient dictionary

Citral

Citral is a lemon-scented compound found in lemongrass and other citrus oils, used mainly to add a fresh, citrusy scent. It is on the label of 104 products in our library. Checked against our library November 6, 2026.

The catch: citral is one of the 26 scent chemicals the EU makes brands name on labels, so check the label if you know you react to it, including in products scented only with essential oils.

Labelled fragrance allergens. If you know you react to one of them, this is the line to check. They also show up in products scented only with essential oils.

What Citral does

Provides a fresh, lemon-like scent
Adds bright citrus notes to fragrances
Used in small amounts for scent

Citral is a pair of closely related molecules, called geranial and neral, that give lemongrass and many citrus oils their sharp, lemony smell. It is often extracted from lemongrass oil and can also be made synthetically. Its scent is what makes it useful.

In moisturizers, deodorants, dry shampoos and baby washes, citral is there for scent. It is volatile, meaning it evaporates easily, so the scent is strongest at first and then fades. Because it is a known fragrance allergen, people with sensitive skin often choose products without it.

Good for

Suits people who enjoy fresh, lemony scents in everyday skin and hair products, like moisturizers and dry shampoo.

Be careful if

Citral is one of the 26 scent chemicals the EU makes brands name on labels, so check the label if you know you react to it, including in products scented only with essential oils.

Frequently asked questions

Is citral the same as lemon oil?

No. Citral is one of several lemon-scented molecules found in citrus oils, which contain many other compounds too. In products it is added on its own as a fragrance ingredient, so it is not the same as a full lemon oil.

Does citral cause allergies?

Citral is on the EU list of 26 labelled fragrance allergens, so it can trigger skin reactions in some people. Many people use it without any problem. If you know you react to it, look for it on the ingredient list and avoid it.