Citral is a natural organic compound found in the essential oils of citrus fruits including lemon and lime. In skincare and cosmetics, it's used primarily as a fragrance ingredient to create a fresh and citrusy scent to products. It can be found in skincare products like creams, lotions and body cleansers where it’s used to create a more pleasurable sensory experience.
INCI
Citral
ORIGIN
Citral is derived from various natural sources, primarily the essential oils of citrus fruits like lemon, lime and orange. It's obtained through the steam distillation of these oils which makes it a common fragrance ingredient in cosmetics and perfumes.
SKIN TOLERANCE
Citral is generally well-tolerated on most skin when used as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetic and skincare products, but it can cause skin sensitization for those with sensitive or allergy-prone skin.
SKINCARE BENEFITS
Citral itself doesn't offer specific skincare benefits beyond its role as a fragrance ingredient. Its primary function in skincare products is to improve the product's scent and overall experience.
