Citral
INCI: CITRAL
Regulatory Status
For full compliance data across 55 jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Toxicological Studies
10 study endpoints found for Citral. NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) values are used to calculate the Margin of Safety per SCCS methodology.
| Endpoint | Value | Route | Species | Study Type | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOAEL | 2400 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Short Term Toxicity | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 2400 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Short Term Toxicity | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 1500 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Short Term Toxicity | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 1140 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Short Term Toxicity | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 8550 mg/kg bw/day | oral | mouse | Short Term Toxicity | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 534 mg/kg bw/day | oral | mouse | Short Term Toxicity | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 2280 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Short Term Toxicity | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 125 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Developmental | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 820 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Subchronic | COSMOS_DB |
| NOAEL | 745 mg/kg bw/day | oral | mouse | Subchronic | COSMOS_DB |
GHS Hazard Classification
Globally Harmonized System classification per ECHA C&L inventory and ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Cards.
Safety Opinions
Official safety assessments from the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) and Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR).
Sensitization Profile
Contact sensitization data for Citral based on clinical patch test studies and IFRA standards.
Source: ESSCA/IVDK
Dermal Penetration Profile
Skin absorption and penetration characteristics of Citral, relevant to systemic exposure and MoS calculations.
Source: SCCS/1459/11, IFRA
Expert Verdict
EU 26 declared allergen requiring individual label declaration above threshold concentrations in leave-on and rinse-off products; restrictions apply equally to natural and synthetic sources.
Regulatory Flags
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Citral safe in cosmetics?
EU 26 declared allergen requiring individual label declaration above threshold concentrations in leave-on and rinse-off products; restrictions apply equally to natural and synthetic sources. The EU classifies Citral as "restricted". Safety rating: MODERATE. 10 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database. This ingredient has been reviewed by sccs.
Is Citral allowed in the EU?
Citral EU regulatory status: restricted. Maximum allowed concentration: 10 ppm in leave-on products, 100 ppm in rinse-off products. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Citral do in cosmetics?
Citral functions as: Fragrance. It is classified as a Fragrance in our database. CAS number: 5392-40-5.
What is the Margin of Safety for Citral?
adequate The Margin of Safety (MoS) is calculated using SCCS methodology. A MoS above 100 is generally considered safe. Use the MoS Calculator tool to calculate MoS for your specific formulation and product category.
What is the NOAEL for Citral?
The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for Citral is 2400 mg/kg bw/day based on a Short Term Toxicity study via oral route in rat. A total of 10 study endpoints are available. Source: COSMOS_DB.
Is Citral classified as hazardous under GHS?
Citral carries a GHS signal word of "WARNING". Hazard statements: Combustible liquid May be harmful if swallowed or in contact with skin Causes skin irritation May cause allergic skin reaction Toxic to aquatic life. This classification is based on the ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Card and ECHA C&L inventory data. Note: GHS classification applies to the pure substance — at cosmetic use concentrations, hazard thresholds may not be met.
Compliance Tools
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