Lemon myrtle

Botanical0.1–1%

A native rainforest leaf with a bright lemon scent, used in fresh, cleansing body and hand care.

What it is

Lemon myrtle is a rainforest tree from coastal Queensland whose leaves are distilled into a lemon-scented essential oil. The oil is mostly citral, which gives it a bright, clean scent and a fresh, cleansing feel. It gives hand washes, body washes and deodorants a distinctly Australian character.

Good for

Body odourOily skinSkin refreshment

How it works

Citral, made up of geranial and neral, disrupts microbes in lab tests. Neat, the oil is harsh on skin cells, so finished products rely on it for fragrance and a fresh, cleansing feel.

Ratings

Evidence

3/5

Good lab antimicrobial and toxicity data, but few skin studies.

Gentleness

2/5

Citral is a known skin sensitiser, so keep levels low.

Formulation difficulty

3/5

Citral breaks down in acidic and alkaline bases, shifting scent.

Cost

2/5

Moderate, as plantation supply keeps the price reasonable.

Popularity

3/5

A familiar Australian scent in hand, body and home care.

Pairs and cautions

Pairs well with

In a routine. Pairing in one formula depends on matching pH windows.

Take care with

Baby productsCitral can sensitise
High leave-on levelsCitral sensitisation
Strongly acidic or alkaline basesCitral breakdown

Formulations it suits

Body washBar soapDeodorant stick Lotion Shampoo

Packaging

Regional considerations

Australia	Citral is Schedule 5 in cosmetic and household cleaning preparations above 5%, so neat lemon myrtle oil (about 90% citral) sold for those uses is scheduled, while finished products at normal levels are not. The oil is on the EPBC exempt list for export.
European Union	Citral must be named in the ingredient list above 0.001% leave-on or 0.01% rinse-off, as in Canada. Regulation (EU) 2026/909 now caps citral, in line with IFRA, at 0.15% in leave-on skin products such as body lotion, 1.2% in rinse-off products and 0.032% in deodorants, for products placed on the market from 1 January 2027.
China	Listed in China's IECIC as Backhousia Citriodora Leaf Oil, so it needs no new-ingredient filing with NMPA.
Climate	Citral breaks down with heat and light, so in hot, sunny markets the lemon scent fades faster and can develop off-notes; use opaque packs and an antioxidant.

In the lab

Specifications

Typical use level

0.1–1%0525%

pH window

pH 5–72 acid7 neutral10 alkaline

Solubility

Oil-soluble

Sensitive to

OxygenHeatLightLow pHHigh pH

Washes and soaps use up to about 1% for a strong lemon scent; body lotions about 0.1–0.15%, and deodorants only a trace.

INCI	Backhousia Citriodora Leaf Oil
Also known as	Lemon-scented myrtle, Backhousia citriodora
Origin	plant-derived

Lab notes

Solubility and phase

Oil phase, or solubilise into water-based products. Water-soluble leaf extracts are also available.

Stability

Add below 40 °C with tocopherol or BHT, and expect the scent to fade or shift over shelf life.

Regulatory, Australia

Cosmetic ingredient in Australia, and citral is Schedule 5 only above 5% in cosmetic preparations, so finished products at normal levels are unscheduled. Citral is also an EU-labelled fragrance allergen with IFRA limits.

Claims to take care with

Cosmetic claims include 'cleansing', 'refreshing' and 'naturally fragranced'. 'Antibacterial' must meet the Excluded Goods conditions, and 'antiseptic' or 'antifungal' are therapeutic (TGA).