Citronellol (Acyclic Monoterpenol · Insect Repellent · Antimicrobial · Fragrance)
Compiled from published pharmacological and botanical literature. Not independently verified by Herbuno. Spotted an error or have a correction? Flag it below →
| Compound | Citronellol |
| Chemical class | Terpenoid — Monoterpenol (Acyclic) |
| CAS | 106-22-9 |
| Primary source | Pelargonium graveolens (rose geranium), Rosa spp., Cymbopogon nardus (citronella) |
| Key applications | Insect repellent, antimicrobial, antifungal, fragrance active |
| Claim strength | Moderate |
| Typical form | Rose geranium oil constituent (20–40% citronellol); citronella oil constituent; isolate |
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Name origin: From citronella grass (Cymbopogon nardus), one of its primary commercial sources. Traditional use: Rose geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) has traditional aromatherapy and folk medicine use for anxiety, wound healing, and skin care. Citronella grass has extensive use as a natural insect repellent across tropical Asian, African, and South American traditions. Research trajectory: Citronellol has documented antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory (COX-2 inhibition, NF-κB suppression), and insect repellent properties. Significant commercial use in high-end fragrance and personal care formulations. Listed as a mandatory EU Cosmetics Regulation fragrance allergen. Commercial source: Contact Herbuno for availability assessment.
Evidence for Citronellol Applications
Insect repellent: Primary active in citronella-based insect repellent products. Less effective than DEET at equivalent concentrations but provides meaningful mosquito repellent activity at 10–15% topical concentration. Protection duration approximately 30–120 minutes. Relevant for natural insect repellent personal care products. Claim strength: Moderate.
Antimicrobial and antifungal: MIC values of 0.1–1 mg/mL against S. aureus, E. coli, and C. albicans. Mechanism: cell membrane disruption similar to other monoterpenols. Activity is lower than carvacrol or thymol but significant for personal care and topical antimicrobial formulations. Claim strength: Moderate.
Anti-inflammatory (antinociceptive): Inhibits COX-2 and reduces prostaglandin E2 in cell models. Significant antinociceptive activity in animal models via multiple pathways. Human anti-inflammatory data absent. Claim strength: Emerging.
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Dosage & Formulator Specification
Insect repellent topical: 10–20% citronella oil (2.5–10% citronellol) in lotion, spray, or cream. Aromatherapy: 1–3% in carrier oil. Antimicrobial personal care: 0.1–0.5% in finished product. No oral supplement dose established. Citronellol is a mandatory EU Cosmetics Regulation fragrance allergen — must be declared on cosmetic labels above 0.001% in leave-on and 0.01% in rinse-off products. For natural label positioning, specify botanical source (rose geranium or citronella). Regulatory pathway for insect repellent claims varies by market: EPA registration required in the US; biocidal product regulations govern EU claims.
Frequently Asked Questions — Citronellol
Is citronellol the same as citronella?
Citronella is the essential oil distilled from Cymbopogon nardus or C. winterianus grass. Citronellol (15–45%) is one of its primary constituents alongside citronellal and geraniol. Full citronella oil is typically used for insect repellent applications; isolated citronellol allows specific concentration control without full oil complexity.
Why is citronellol listed as a fragrance allergen?
Citronellol can cause contact sensitisation in susceptible individuals, particularly at higher concentrations. The EU Cosmetics Regulation requires mandatory disclosure above threshold concentrations. This indicates a disclosure requirement, not a prohibition — typical use concentrations are safe for most individuals. Patch testing is recommended for leave-on products.
Is geraniol related to citronellol?
Geraniol and citronellol are biosynthetically related acyclic monoterpenols. Geraniol is the unsaturated form; citronellol has a reduced double bond providing better stability. They co-occur in rose geranium oil with similar floral, rosy fragrance character. Geraniol has slightly stronger antimicrobial activity; citronellol has better stability due to reduced oxidation susceptibility.
Can citronellol-containing products make DEET-equivalent claims?
No. DEET is a registered pesticide active; citronellol products must be positioned as pesticide-free or natural alternatives, not as having equivalent DEET efficacy. In the US, EPA registration is required for insect repellent claims; in the EU, biocidal product regulations apply. Verify regulatory pathway before labelling any product with mosquito repellent claims.
Related compounds: Linalool, Limonene, Terpinen-4-ol, Myrcene
Claim-strength scale – High = multiple human RCTs; Moderate = limited trials or strong preclinical convergence; Emerging = early-stage lab or animal data.
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