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Hydroxycitronellal products at Skintique
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What Is Hydroxycitronellal?
Hydroxycitronellal is a synthetic fragrance compound used to add scent to cosmetic and skincare products. It is classified as a fragrance ingredient rather than a functional skincare component, meaning its primary role is olfactory rather than therapeutic.
This ingredient appears in roughly 2.7% of skincare formulations. As a fragrance material, it functions to enhance the sensory experience of a product without directly targeting skin concerns.
How It Works
Hydroxycitronellal works as a fragrance by providing odour characteristics to a skincare product. It does not penetrate the skin or alter skin function; instead, it remains largely on the surface, delivering scent during application and use.
Clinical Evidence & References
Regulatory safety assessments have evaluated hydroxycitronellal for potential toxicological effects including genotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, and skin sensitisation. Available data suggest it does not pose these risks at typical cosmetic exposure levels, with exposure estimated to fall below established safety thresholds.
Fragrances in general are the leading cause of allergic contact dermatitis from cosmetics, and individual fragrance materials can trigger reactions in sensitive individuals. The prevalence of fragrance-related sensitivity varies considerably between people.
How to Use
If you have fragrance sensitivity or a history of allergic contact dermatitis, consider performing a patch test before using products containing this ingredient. Fragrance-free or fragrance-reduced skincare may be a better choice if you experience reactions to scented products.
Safety & Precautions
How widely it's used
Regulatory information
Standardised cosmetic-ingredient identifiers used by regulators.
Show identifiers
- INCI Name
- HYDROXYCITRONELLAL
- EC Number
- 203-518-7
- Function
- Perfuming
Frequently Asked Questions
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