Chapter 8: Fragrance · Part 1: The listed fragrance allergens
Citral
- Officially classed skin allergen
- Contaminant risk
The worst fact: Australia's Poisons Standard lists it for cosmetics and household cleaning products above 5%, and lemongrass oil has a matching entry, though we found no such product above that level.
Why brands use it: it smells strongly of lemon.
Take care if: you have a fragrance allergy.
Comes from: lemongrass oil is 75 to 85% citral. It's also made in a factory from pine or petroleum chemicals.
Myth check: "it's just lemongrass": lemongrass oil is mostly citral, and both are on the poisons list.
Contaminants: oxidation products, which can be stronger allergens.
Fair to say: at 5% or less, products are exempt.
Correct as of November 2026. What the badges mean
Sources
- Australian Government. Poisons Standard October 2026 (F2026L01327): citral, lemongrass oil, eugenol, isoeugenol, coumarin.
- Safe Work Australia. Hazardous Chemical Information System (HCIS). hcis.safeworkaustralia.gov.au
The full source list is at the end of Chapter 8.