Citrus oils
Citrus oils are bright, zesty essential oils extracted from the peel of oranges, lemons, grapefruits and bergamot. They are popular in UK skincare and haircare for their fresh scent and ability to cleanse and invigorate the skin and scalp. Often used in small amounts, they bring a natural glow and pleasant aroma to cleansers, toners, body washes and hair products.
How it works in skincare
In cosmetics and skincare, citrus oils function primarily as fragrant components and mild cleansing agents. Their natural volatile compounds help to dissolve excess sebum and impurities on the skin’s surface, making them useful in cleansers and toners. When properly diluted they can impart a refreshing scent and contribute to the overall sensory experience of a product while supporting the appearance of clean, toned skin.
Key benefits
- Delivers a fresh, uplifting fragrance to products
- Helps remove excess oil and impurities from skin
- Gives a bright, invigorated appearance to dull skin
- Can help balance oily and combination skin
- Adds a pleasant scent to shampoos and conditioners
- Supports the look of toned and clarified skin
Best for
oily skin, combination skin, dull skin, normal skin
Where it comes from
Citrus oils are cold-pressed from the outer peel (rind) of various citrus fruits such as sweet orange, lemon, grapefruit and bergamot. These fruits grow on evergreen trees native to Asia but are now cultivated widely in Mediterranean climates and other warm regions.
Products with Citrus oils
Not every product on UK Lips lists a full ingredient breakdown — so there may be many more formulas that contain Citrus oils than we can show here. These are the comparisons where we’ve confirmed it in the listed ingredients.