Citronella Compounds in Cosmetics: More Than Just Lemongrass Scent

Citronella and related compounds such as Citronellal, Alpha-methylene Citronellal, and Hydroxycitronellal are often used in various skincare products like creams, toners, and serums.

Although the name Citronella is associated with a lemongrass scent, these compounds can be utilized in cosmetic formulations for various purposes beyond providing a distinct fragrance.

• Fragrance/Odor Masking: As you and the other commenter mentioned, these compounds can be used in very small amounts to help modify or mask unpleasant odors from other ingredients in the formula. This makes the product more pleasant to use without necessarily having a noticeable lemongrass scent.
• Fragrance Component: In some cases, these compounds are part of a complex fragrance blend, which may not contribute a singular lemongrass note but rather contribute to the overall scent profile of the product.

Therefore, even if you don't detect a strong lemongrass scent from products containing these ingredients, it's possible that manufacturers are using them in small quantities for odor modification purposes or as part of a complex fragrance blend.