Citral

Citral

7.0

Ingredient Info

Citral is a naturally-derived fragrance compound found in citrus essential oils and lemongrass. It's used in skincare products primarily to provide a fresh, lemony scent while also contributing mild preservative and skin-conditioning properties.



Benefits

  • Provides natural fragrance
  • May support skin renewal through TRPV3 receptor activation
  • Acts as a natural preservative agent
  • Derived from plant sources

Potential concerns

  • Can cause skin sensitization or irritation in sensitive individuals
  • May trigger photosensitivity reactions when combined with sun exposure
  • Known allergen for some people; fragrance-related contact dermatitis possible
  • Essential oil components can be irritating at high concentrations

Science: Recent research (2025) suggests citral and plant essential oils may activate TRPV3 receptors involved in skin renewal, though human efficacy data is limited. Citral is widely recognized as a fragrance ingredient in cosmetics, but like most essential oil components, carries potential for sensitization in vulnerable individuals.



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