Citral
Citral is a naturally derived fragrance ingredient found in essential oils such as lemongrass, lemon, and orange. It gives products a fresh, zesty citrus scent and is commonly used in UK skincare, haircare, and bath products to add a clean, uplifting aroma.
How it works in skincare
In cosmetics and skincare, citral functions primarily as a fragrance and masking agent, imparting a bright, lemon-like scent that enhances the sensory experience of creams, serums, cleansers, and perfumes. It is often included in formulations at low levels to provide a natural top note while helping to mask any undesirable base odours from other raw materials. As a component of many essential oils, it is valued in British beauty products for its fresh character and compatibility with both rinse-off and leave-on formulations.
Key benefits
- Adds a refreshing citrus scent to products
- Enhances the overall sensory experience of skincare and haircare
- Helps mask unpleasant odours from other ingredients
- Contributes to a clean, uplifting aroma in bath and body products
- Provides a natural fragrance alternative in essential oil blends
- Commonly used in formulations targeting a fresh, zesty profile
Best for
all skin types, oily skin, combination skin, normal skin
Where it comes from
Citral occurs naturally in the essential oils of several plants, most notably lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus), lemon myrtle, and the peel of citrus fruits such as lemons and oranges.
Products with Citral
Not every product on UK Lips lists a full ingredient breakdown — so there may be many more formulas that contain Citral than we can show here. These are the comparisons where we’ve confirmed it in the listed ingredients.