Ingredient dictionary

Hydroxycitronellal

A lab-made fragrance ingredient whose main job is giving products a fresh, floral scent, often described as lily of the valley. It is on the label of 51 products in our library. Checked against our library November 6, 2026.

The catch: it is one of 26 scent chemicals the EU asks brands to name on labels, so check the list if you react to fragrance; it can also appear 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 Hydroxycitronellal does

Adds a fresh, floral scent
Helps cover the smell of other ingredients
Keeps a product's scent steady over time

Hydroxycitronellal is made in a laboratory. It starts from citronellal, a compound found in citronella oil, which is changed into the final molecule in a simple chemical step. Perfumers like it because it gives a clean, floral smell close to lily of the valley.

In a formula, its job is almost always scent. Fragrance ingredients are usually used in small amounts, and they help keep a product's scent steady from first use to last. On skin or hair, it does not add much feel of its own. Texture and care come from the other ingredients.

Good for

Shoppers who enjoy floral scents and have no known reaction to fragrance ingredients.

Be careful if

It is one of 26 scent chemicals the EU asks brands to name on labels, so check the list if you react to fragrance; it can also appear in products scented only with essential oils.

Frequently asked questions

Is hydroxycitronellal an allergen?

It is one of 26 fragrance allergens the EU asks brands to name on labels. If you react to scent chemicals, check labels for it. A patch test on a small area of skin can help you decide if a product suits you.

Is hydroxycitronellal natural?

It starts from citronellal, a compound in citronella oil, but the final molecule is made in a lab, so it is not an essential oil. Other scents may be natural, so check the full ingredient list if that matters to you.