Ingredient guide ›

Citral

A fresh lemony scent.

What it does

Adds a fresh lemon smell. It's found naturally in lemongrass and lemon oils.

Good to know

It's one of the EU's listed fragrance allergens, so it must be named on the label above 0.001% in leave-on and 0.01% in rinse-off products. Sensitive skin may react.

Often found in: Deodorants, Soaps, Shower gels

Around the world

• United States: No label rule yet. A 2022 law told the FDA to require fragrance allergen labels, but that rule isn't out. Source
• EU and UK: EU: from 2027, limits by product, like 0.15% in face and body creams and 0.11% in lip products. UK: label rule only. Source
• Canada: Must be named on the label above 0.001% in leave-on and 0.01% in rinse-off products (since April 2026). Source
• Australia: Controlled in cosmetics above 5% (Schedule 5). At 5% or less, no limit. Source

Sources

• SCCS opinion: Fragrance allergens in cosmetic products (2012) (Independent)
• UK Cosmetics Regulation, Annex III (legislation.gov.uk) (Regulator)
• RIFM safety assessment: citral, update (2026) (Industry-funded)