Effect & Use of Citral
Citral is also known as limonal. Citral is a component of lemongrass oil and the oils of verbena, lemon myrtle, lemon, and orange.
Citral is used in the formulation of many types of products, including:
- Aftershave lotions
- Bath products
- Moisturizers
- Perfumes and colognes
- Skincare products
- Sunscreen products
Citral has a strong lemon scent. For this reason, it is widely used as a fragrance ingredient. Citral is also added to lemon oil to enhance its scent. Additionally, citral has antibacterial properties.
Allergic Reactions
Citral is listed as a fragrance compound that can cause allergic reactions. If a product contains more than a certain concentration of citral, it must be listed on the packaging according to European regulations.
People who are allergic to citrus peels are often also allergic to citral. Possible symptoms include:
- Skin rash
- Itching
- Bumps
- Irritated mucous membranes
