Citronellal, with the CAS number 106-23-0, is a naturally occurring aldehyde found in various essential oils, particularly in citronella oil and rose oil. It is characterized by its fresh, lemony scent with a hint of floral undertones, making it a popular choice in perfumery for adding brightness and complexity to compositions. Citronellal is often used in citrus and floral accords, where it can enhance the overall freshness of a fragrance. In formulations, it typically appears in the top or middle notes, contributing to the initial impression of the scent. While it is valued for its olfactory properties, it is important to note that citronellal is also recognized as a potential allergen, which necessitates careful consideration in cosmetic formulations. Regulatory bodies, including IFRA, have established guidelines for its use in fragrances to ensure consumer safety, and it is advisable for formulators to be aware of these restrictions when incorporating citronellal into their products. — AI-generated summary, 2026-09-02.
A sharp, intensely lemony aldehyde with a green, slightly grassy edge and a waxy-fatty undertone. Opens bright and citrus-peel-like with a metallic sparkle, then softens into a slightly soapy, herbaceous facet reminiscent of citronella and lemongrass.AI · claude-opus-4-7
Composition, IFRA restriction figures, allergen concentrations and where this material is bought are part of Perfume Foundry’s curated library and need an account. Create one or sign in.
Other ingredients whose composition declares this material as a constituent. The percentage shown is the supplier-declared concentration in that parent.
| Ingredient | % | Range |
|---|---|---|
| ORANGE OIL SWEET | — | 5–10% |
| ROSE ABSOLUTE CENTIFOLIA | — | 1–5% |
| BERGAMOT OIL | — | 0.1–1% |
| BERGAMOT OIL, FUROCOUMARIN FREE | — | 0.1–1% |
| DOUGLAS FIR NEEDLES OIL | — | 0.1–1% |
| GINGER OIL (ROOT) | — | 0.1–1% |
| GRAPEFRUIT OIL | — | 0.1–1% |
| APPLE | — | — |
Perfume and Flavor Chemicals, page 276.
Colorless mobile liquid.
Very slightly soluble in water, soluble in alcohol and oils.
Powerful, fresh, green-citrusy, slightly woody odor, lacking in sweetness and fruitiness as compared to Citral, and more suggestive of Citronella oil, inevitably if the observer is familiar with that oil.
Citronellal is occasionally used — in traces - in flavor compositions of the Citrus, Cherry, Fruit (tutti-frutti), Ginger Ale, Spice and other types.
This aldehyde is rather unstable under exposure to air, daylight and alkali, and is therefore not much used as such in perfumes or flavors. Citronella oil is less expensive and more stable. It gives a more attractive picture of the Citronellal odor in its natural modification and composition.
1) By isolation from Eucalyptus Citriodora oil or from Java/Formosa/Guatemala type of Citronella oil. 2) Synthetically from Pinene. 3) By dehydrogenation of Geraniol.
Natural complex substances (NCSs) in which this material typically occurs.
| NCS | Botanical | Typical % |
|---|---|---|
| EUCALYPTUS CITRIODORA OIL | Corymbia citriodora (Hook.) K.D. Hill & L.A. Johnson | 75% |
| CITRUS HYSTRIX EXTRACT | Citrus hystrix DC | 11.7% |
| LIME OIL. EXPRESSED FOLDED (2-5X) | Citrus aurantifolia (Christman) Swingle | 5% |
| CITRONELLA OIL, CEYLON TYPE | Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle | 4.5% |
| KUMQUAT OIL, FORTUNELLA MARGARITA | Fortunella (Lour.) Swingle | 3% |
| LEMON OIL TERPENELESS | Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f. | 3% |
| MANDARIN OIL, TERPENELESS | Citrus reticulata Blanco | 3% |
| TANGERINE OIL TERPENELESS | Citrus reticulata blanco | 3% |
| ORANGE PEEL OIL, SWEET TERPENELESS | Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck | 2% |
| ORANGE OIL, SWEET, PSORALEN-FREE | Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck | 2% |
| LIME OIL, COLD PRESSED, FUROCOUMARIN FREE | Citrus aurantifolia (Christman) Swingle | 1.4% |
| LIME OIL, EXPRESSED | Citrus aurantifolia (Christman) Swingle | 1.4% |
| MELISSA OIL (GENUINE MELISSA OFFICINALIS L.) | Melissa officinalis L. | 1.3% |
| LITSEA CUBEBA OIL | Litsea Cubeba(Lour.) Pers. | 1.1% |
| LEMON OIL COLD PRESSED | Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f. | 1% |
| PETITGRAIN LEMON OIL | Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f. | 1% |
| LEMONGRASS OIL, EAST INDIAN | Cymbopogon flexuosus (Nees ex Steudel) Will. Watson | 0.7% |
| FIR BALSAM OLEORESIN | Abies balsamea (L.) Mill. | 0.6% |
| GINGER OIL (ROOT) | Zingiber officinale Rosc. | 0.4% |
| CITRON OIL | Citrus medica L. | 0.2% |
| MEYER LEMON OIL. COLD PRESSED | Citrus x meyerii | 0.2% |
| GERANIUM OIL | Pelargonium graveolens l'Hertier ex Aiton | 0.15% |
| MURCOTE OIL, EXPRESSED | Citrus clementina Hort. Ex Tan | 0.1% |
| GRAPEFRUIT OIL, FOLDED | Citrus paradisi Macf. | 0.1% |
| GRAPEFRUIT OIL | Citrus paradisi Macf. | 0.1% |
| LEMON OIL, FUROCOUMARIN FREE | Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f. | 0.1% |
| ROSE OIL | Rosa x damascena Mill. | 0.1% |
| TANGELO OIL, EXPRESSED | Citrus x tangelo Ingram and Moore | 0.1% |
| PETITGRAIN MANDARIN OIL TERPENELESS | Citrus reticulata Blanco | 0.1% |
| TANGERINE OIL | Citrus reticulata blanco | 0.1% |
| PETITGRAIN BIGARADE OIL | Citrus aurantium L. spp. Amara Link | 0.05% |
| LEMON EXTRACT | Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f. | 0.03% |