Geraniol, citronellal, citronellol
LaboratoryGeraniol represents 42.13% of the oil, citronellal 17.31% and citronellol 16.91%. The oil showed cytotoxicity on mammalian fibroblasts only above 250 µg/mL. The study concerns parasites, not cosmetics4.
Java citronella essential oil
The citronella essential oil in the glossary is obtained from the grass of Cymbopogon winterianus, Java citronella1. It contains mostly geraniol (42.1%), citronellal and citronellol4. It is not named in Annex III, which covers other Cymbopogon ("lemongrass"), but geraniol and citronellol are named there23.
Java citronella oil at a glance
Entry from our cosmetic ingredient glossary. Regulatory data from the European Commission's CosIng database1 and from Regulations (EU) 2023/15452 and 1223/2009 consolidated3. Copy the identifiers in one click for your files.
- INCI name
- CYMBOPOGON WINTERIANUS HERB OILCosIng gives no separate US INCI name1
- Other names
- Java citronella essential oilCitronella oil (Java). Not to be confused with lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus, flexuosus or schoenanthus), a different INCI1
- CAS number
- 91771-61-8CosIng1
- EC number
- 294-954-7CosIng1
- Botanical origin
- Java citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus, Poaceae)CosIng: essential oil obtained from the herbaceous parts of the plant1
- Composition
- Geraniol, citronellal, citronellolGeraniol 42.1%, citronellal 17.3%, citronellol 16.9% in one analyzed oil4
- CosIng functions
- Fragrance"Perfuming"1
- EU status
- Oil not named; constituents namedLine 354 of Annex III names the oils of Cymbopogon schoenanthus, flexuosus and citratus ("Lemongrass Oil"), not that of Cymbopogon winterianus. CosIng indicates no restriction21
- Allergen to declare
- Yes, through geraniol and citronellolGeraniol (line 78) and citronellol (line 86): above 0.001% in a leave-on product and 0.01% in a rinse-off product. Citronellal is not named in Annex III3.
What the research says
Each result shows the protocol and the level of evidence. The higher the level, the better the result carries over to a finished formula.
Clinical trialReview or consensusLaboratory
Oil compositionChemistry
Oxidation and contact allergiesToxicology
Citronella, among nine oils with more than 2% positive tests
ReviewNine oils exceeded 2% positive tests, including citronella oil (the abstract does not specify the species). Relevance data are missing or insufficient5.
Geraniol oxidizes in air and becomes sensitizing
LaboratoryPure geraniol is a weak allergen. Exposed to air, it forms hydrogen peroxide, geranial and neral, among others: oxidized samples have a moderate sensitizing potential7.
Oxidized geraniol: 3 to 8% positive tests
Clinical studyPure geraniol at 6% gives 1% positive tests; oxidized geraniol at 6% gives 3% and at 11% gives 8%. Most people react only to oxidized geraniol8.
Oxidized citronellol: up to 4.5% positive tests
Clinical studyPure citronellol detects 0.15 to 0.31% positive tests, oxidized citronellol 0.61 to 4.5%. Among people reacting to oxidized citronellol, 75 to 91% also react to oxidized linalool or limonene9.
Use on skinLaboratory
Java citronella and melanin production, in a formulation
LaboratoryThe study evaluates the skin release of citral, myrcene and citronellal from a blend of oils, with the idea of inhibiting tyrosinase. The oil-in-water emulsion releases the compounds better. This is formulation work, not a cosmetic outcome trial10.
No cosmetic clinical trial retained
ReviewThe lemongrass review describes its composition and contact allergies6. We retained no robust cosmetic clinical trial on skin for Java citronella: the oil remains first of all a fragrance ingredient1.
This page summarizes published literature on a cosmetic ingredient. It does not describe the effect of a finished product, which depends on its formula, and it is not medical advice. Evidence is flagged by level: clinical trial, review or laboratory.
Which products can use citronella oil?
No formula in our white label catalog features citronella oil yet. Our formulation lab can add it to a custom formula or to a catalog formula. Its common uses:
Face
Fresh fragrance in toners and creams for normal to combination skin.
Body
Fragrance in shower gels, soaps, scrubs and massage oils.
Hair
Fragrance in shampoos and hair sprays.
Citronella, litsea cubeba, lemon or sweet orange?
Four lemon-scented or citrus oils often compared. Their chemistry differs, so does their labeling.
| Citronella | Litsea cubeba | Lemon | Sweet orange | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dominant constituents | Geraniol (42.1%), citronellal (17.3%), citronellol (16.9%)4 | Neral and geranial (citral), 78.7 to 87.4%11 | Limonene (60.7% in one analyzed oil)12 | Limonene, 73.9 to 97%13 |
| Regulation (EU) 2023/1545 | Oil not named; geraniol and citronellol named3 | Oil not named; citral named (line 70)2 | Oil named (line 353)2 | Oil named (line 351)2 |
| Carmel catalog formulas | None | None | 1 formula | 1 formula |
Frequently asked questions about citronella oil
What is citronella oil?
Does citronella repel mosquitoes?
We retained no study of Java citronella applied on human skin. A repellent is a use outside cosmetics: for a brand, we formulate citronella-scented care products, with no promise of protection against mosquitoes.
Do I have to declare citronella oil in the ingredient list?
Cymbopogon winterianus oil is not named in Annex III; line 354 covers the oils of Cymbopogon schoenanthus, flexuosus and citratus ("Lemongrass Oil")2. However, the geraniol and citronellol it contains are named and must be declared above 0.001% in a leave-on product and 0.01% in a rinse-off product3. Citronellal is not named.
Is citronella allergenic?
It can be: in a 2016 review, citronella oil is among nine oils with more than 2% positive tests5. Geraniol oxidizes in air and becomes sensitizing7: 8% positive tests to oxidized geraniol at 11% versus 1% to pure geraniol8. Citronellol follows the same pattern9. Air-protected packaging, an antioxidant and tolerance tests are recommended.
What is the difference between citronella, lemongrass and litsea cubeba?
Is citronella photosensitizing?
Can you manufacture a citronella product for my brand?
Yes. Our ISO 22716 certified lab can add citronella to a catalog formula that you customize or to a custom formula, taking the declaration of geraniol and citronellol into account. Samples are free.
Further reading
- Fragrance allergens 2026: Canada, EU, USA compliance checklist for white label brandsThe fragrance allergens to declare and what changes as the list is extended
- EU cosmetics regulations in 2026The European framework brands need to know in 2026
- Cosmetics labeling regulations: what changes for brandsThe labeling rules that affect the ingredient list
Sources
Peer-reviewed studies and official regulatory sources, checked on November 3, 2026.
- European Commission. CosIng, entry CYMBOPOGON WINTERIANUS HERB OIL (CAS 91771-61-8, EC 294-954-7). ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing
- Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/1545 of 26 July 2023 amending Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards labelling of fragrance allergens in cosmetic products (Annex III). eur-lex.europa.eu
- Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council on cosmetic products, consolidated version of 1 May 2025 (Annexes II and III). eur-lex.europa.eu
- Pereira PS, Oliveira CVB, Maia AJ, Vega-Gomez MC, Rolón M, Coronel C, et al. Evaluation of the In Vitro Antiparasitic Effect of the Essential Oil of Cymbopogon winterianus and Its Chemical Composition Analysis. Molecules. 2022;27(9):2753. doi:10.3390/molecules27092753
- de Groot AC, Schmidt E. Essential Oils, Part IV: Contact Allergy. Dermatitis. 2016;27(4):170-175. doi:10.1097/der.0000000000000197
- de Groot A, Schmidt E. Essential Oils, Part V: Peppermint Oil, Lavender Oil, and Lemongrass Oil. Dermatitis. 2016;27(6):325-332. doi:10.1097/der.0000000000000218
- Hagvall L, Bäcktorp C, Svensson S, Nyman G, Börje A, Karlberg AT. Fragrance compound geraniol forms contact allergens on air exposure. Identification and quantification of oxidation products and effect on skin sensitization. Chem Res Toxicol. 2007;20(5):807-814. doi:10.1021/tx700017v
- Hagvall L, Bruze M, Engfeldt M, Isaksson M, Lindberg M, Ryberg K, et al. Contact allergy to oxidized geraniol among Swedish dermatitis patients-A multicentre study by the Swedish Contact Dermatitis Research Group. Contact Dermatitis. 2018;79(4):232-238. doi:10.1111/cod.13047
- Hagvall L, Rudbäck J, Bråred Christensson J, Karlberg AT. Patch testing with purified and oxidized citronellol. Contact Dermatitis. 2020;83(5):372-379. doi:10.1111/cod.13654
- Capetti F, Cagliero C, Argenziano M, Cavalli R, Dianzani C, Pavarino M, et al. A New Blend of Litsea cubeba, Pinus mugo, and Cymbopogon winterianus Essential Oil Active as an Anti-tyrosinase Ingredient in Topical Formulations. Planta Med. 2024;90(4):267-275. doi:10.1055/a-2225-7603
- Si L, Chen Y, Han X, Zhan Z, Tian S, Cui Q, et al. Chemical composition of essential oils of Litsea cubeba harvested from its distribution areas in China. Molecules. 2012;17(6):7057-7066. doi:10.3390/molecules17067057
- Kačániová M, Čmiková N, Vukovic NL, Verešová A, Bianchi A, Garzoli S, et al. Citrus limon Essential Oil: Chemical Composition and Selected Biological Properties Focusing on the Antimicrobial (In Vitro, In Situ), Antibiofilm, Insecticidal Activity and Preservative Effect against Salmonella enterica Inoculated in Carrot. Plants (Basel). 2024;13(4):524. doi:10.3390/plants13040524
- Geraci A, Di Stefano V, Di Martino E, Schillaci D, Schicchi R. Essential oil components of orange peels and antimicrobial activity. Nat Prod Res. 2017;31(6):653-659. doi:10.1080/14786419.2016.1219860
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