Is Citral Banned? EU vs US Status, Risks & Where It Hides
TL;DR: Citral is warning label required in the EU but allowed in the US (fragrance allergens).
INCI name Citral. CAS 5392-40-5.
Is Citral banned in the EU?
| EU status | Warning label required |
|---|---|
| US status | Allowed |
| Risk level | low |
| Where it shows up | perfume, scented products |
| CAS number | 5392-40-5 |
What is Citral?
Citral (Citral) is a citrus fragrance allergen.
Why is Citral used in personal-care products?
It is used for its preservative, coloring, fragrance, solvent or texture-enhancing function.
Is Citral dangerous? Documented risks
An EU-listed fragrance allergen requiring declaration.
Products that may contain Citral
How to avoid Citral: safer alternatives
Choose EU-compliant or 'free-from' formulations and read the INCI list. BannedPantry flags this ingredient and suggests safer swaps.
Frequently asked questions about Citral
Is Citral banned in the EU?
Citral is warning_required under the EU Cosmetics Regulation (1223/2009), but it is allowed in US personal-care products.
Is Citral in US cosmetics?
Yes — Citral can still appear in US-sold cosmetics and personal-care products because US rules are far less restrictive than the EU's.
What products contain Citral?
Read the INCI ingredient list on the back of the package. Scan the barcode with BannedPantry to flag Citral automatically.
Are there safer alternatives to Citral?
Yes. Look for EU-compliant or 'free-from' formulations; BannedPantry suggests safer swaps when it detects Citral.
Scan any product's barcode and instantly see if it contains Citral or other ingredients banned overseas.
Scan a product free →Related fragrance allergens
Avoiding banned beauty ingredients? Check your food, too.
Sources
- EU Cosmetics Regulation Annex II (prohibited substances) — EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009
- EU-banned cosmetics ingredients and US impact — RegASK
- Chemicals in cosmetics — CHEM Trust
Our scores are never influenced by brands. Last updated 6/11/2026.