What is Citral?
Citral (INCI: Citral; chemical name: 3,7-Dimethyl-2,6-octadienal; also known by its isomeric names Geranial and Neral, or collectively as Lemonal) is a naturally occurring monoterpene aldehyde that is responsible for the characteristic lemon, citrus scent. It is found naturally in high concentrations in lemongrass oil (Cymbopogon citratus/flexuosus, 70–80%), lemon oil (~6%), lime oil, citronella oil, and melissa (lemon balm) oil, and at lower concentrations in many other citrus and aromatic plant oils.
Citral is one of the six components of Fragrance Mix II (FM II) and is an EU-regulated fragrance allergen requiring individual label declaration. It is used both as an isolated fragrance chemical (to provide clean lemon notes in products) and enters cosmetics as a natural component of citrus and lemongrass essential oils incorporated into formulations.
A critical point for consumers seeking "natural" cosmetics: citral in natural essential oils is chemically identical to synthetic citral and causes the same allergic reactions. The "natural" origin of lemongrass oil does not make its citral content less allergenic.
Why does Citral cause reactions?
Citral is an alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehyde — a functional group that makes it highly reactive with nucleophilic amino acid residues in skin proteins. This reactivity allows citral to form stable hapten-protein conjugates that initiate Type IV delayed hypersensitivity sensitization.
Additionally, citral has weak phototoxic properties: in some contexts, citrus-derived products containing citral can cause phototoxic reactions (distinct from photoallergy) where UV light activates the molecule to directly damage skin cells. This is particularly relevant for citrus essential oils applied directly to skin before sun exposure.
The widespread use of lemongrass oil and citrus oils in "natural" and "clean" beauty products has significantly increased citral exposure in consumers who specifically seek out natural skincare — creating a paradox where health-conscious shoppers encounter this allergen more than users of conventional synthetic-fragrance products.
Where is Citral found in products?
- Citrus-scented perfumes and body care: Lemon, lime, bergamot, grapefruit product lines
- Lemongrass-scented products: Body wash, soap, candles, air fresheners
- Natural and aromatherapy skincare: Products containing lemongrass oil, lemon oil, melissa oil, citronella oil, or bergamot oil
- Cleaning products: Many kitchen and bathroom cleaners with citrus scent
- "Natural" insect repellents: Lemongrass and citronella-based formulations
How to spot Citral on labels
- Citral — INCI name; must be individually declared on EU-compliant labels
- Geranial and Neral — the two geometric isomers of citral (alpha-citral and beta-citral)
- 3,7-Dimethyl-2,6-octadienal — IUPAC chemical name
Also check for essential oil sources of citral:
- Cymbopogon Flexuosus Oil or Cymbopogon Citratus Oil — lemongrass oil (very high citral)
- Citrus Limon Peel Oil — lemon oil
- Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Oil — lime oil
In Indian products 🇮🇳
Citral is extremely prevalent in the Indian personal care and household products market. Lemon-scented products dominate multiple categories in India — from Dettol (lemon variant), to lemon-fresh dish soap, to lemon-scented talcum powder, to lemongrass-based natural skincare. Indian brands that sell "natural" or "herbal" products with lemongrass, citrus, or lemon are major sources of citral exposure.
Popular Indian brands with citral-containing products include those in the lemon/citrus segment of: Godrej, Wipro Consumer, Himalaya Herbals (lemongrass range), Forest Essentials (lemon and citrus products), and virtually all major Indian natural skincare brands.
Indian consumers with FM II positive patch tests should pay special attention to lemon-scented and lemongrass products — both mass-market and natural/herbal brands.
Safer alternatives
- Fragrance-free personal care: Eliminates citral exposure from cosmetics
- Non-citrus cleaning products: Lavender-scented or unscented alternatives (check for linalool allergy if switching to lavender)
- Citral-free essential oil blends: Work with an aromatherapist knowledgeable about allergens — rose, chamomile, and calendula essential oils have lower citral content
- Patch testing before use: Test all lemongrass or citrus-containing natural products on inner arm before facial use