The citral concentration makes the opening immediately striking: crisp, effervescent, and intensely lemony, with a clarity and directness that outperforms most citrus materials on sheer aromatic presence. There is a faint sweetness underneath that keeps it from reading as sharp or industrial, and the small citronellal contribution adds a subtle rosy warmth at the edges. Unlike cold-pressed citrus oils, it is not photosensitising and has better tenacity than lemon peel, making it more useful in leave-on formulations.

Lemon Myrtle Essential Oil works as a top note, high-citral lemon character builder, and Australian native-themed functional ingredient.

Recommended concentration: 0.5-2% in finished fragrance formulations; follow IFRA guidelines strictly for leave-on applications due to citral content, though the absence of photosensitising furocoumarins gives it an advantage over cold-pressed citrus oils in rinse-off and leave-on personal care.

Particularly effective in:

Australian native and botanical fragrance compositions
High-impact lemon character in fine fragrance and personal care
Toners, facial cleansers, serums, and body washes
Shampoos and conditioners where a fresh, clean citrus note is desired
Aromatherapy blends for focus and clarity
Candles and home fragrance where a strong, clean lemon note is needed

Blends well with:

Other Australian natives: tea tree, eucalyptus, manuka
Citrus: bergamot, yuzu, pink grapefruit
Herbs: lemongrass, basil, rosemary
Woods: cedarwood for grounding contrast
Florals: neroli and orange blossom for a citrus-floral structure

Note: as with all high-citral materials, follow IFRA leave-on limits carefully and dilute before skin application.

Material Type: Essential oil
Botanical Name: Backhousia citriodora
Common Name: Lemon Myrtle
Plant Part: Leaves
Extraction Method: Steam distillation
CAS Number: 90063-52-8
Origin: Australia
Odour Profile: Crisp, potent, clean lemon, effervescent, faintly sweet
Appearance: Clear, pale yellow mobile liquid
Solubility: Soluble in alcohol and oils
Key Components: Citral/neral and geranial (87-95%), citronellal (0.1-1%)
Agriculture: Conventional (regenerative harvesting practices)
INCI Name: Backhousia Citriodora Leaf Oil
Regulatory Status: SDS documentation can be supplied upon request where available.

For external use only. Do not ingest
Not recommended during pregnancy
Very high citral content; citral is an IFRA-restricted allergen. Observe leave-on skin limits strictly and always dilute before skin application
May cause skin sensitisation and irritation, particularly at higher concentrations; patch test before use
Avoid contact with eyes
Store tightly sealed in a cool, dark place below 30°C
Shelf life: 2-3 years when stored correctly