Citrus, Citrus Everywhere

Citrus notes are some of the most recognizable, uplifting, and universally loved scents in fragrance. Whether in candles, perfume, skincare, or home products, citrus oils bring brightness, freshness, and immediate impact. In natural perfumery especially, citrus ingredients often serve as the starting point—affordable, powerful, and easy to appreciate.

Why Citrus Is Everywhere

Walk down any natural product aisle (or browse online) and you’ll see citrus everywhere. There’s a reason for that:

• They’re naturally crowd-pleasing — bright, juicy, fresh.
• They’re highly volatile — meaning they evaporate quickly and provide instant lift.
• They’re comparatively affordable — though this varies widely by fruit.

For example:

• Orange oil is one of the least expensive citrus materials (~USD $10/kg).
• Kumquat can exceed USD $200/kg.
• Yuzu often exceeds USD $400/kg.

Other commonly used citrus oils include lime, lemon, blood orange, mandarin, bergamot, and pink grapefruit.

How Citrus Oils Are Extracted

Citrus oils are unique because their aromatic compounds are stored directly in the peel—tiny oil glands that burst when the skin is broken. Unlike many botanicals, citrus does not require heat or water for extraction.

Instead, extraction is purely mechanical:

• Fruit peels are placed inside a specialized rotating drum
• The walls are lined with tiny spikes
• As the drum spins, the spikes puncture the peel
• The released oils are rinsed, collected, and separated

It’s simple, efficient, and preserves the fresh, natural brightness that defines citrus materials.

Our Favorite Citrus Ingredients

Pink Grapefruit

Pink grapefruit is tart, juicy, energetic, and incredibly bright. We love it for the way it adds sparkle and vitality to formulations—especially when balancing heavier floral, sweet, or balsamic notes.

Bergamot

One of the most elegant citrus materials used in perfumery, bergamot grows almost exclusively in Calabria, Italy. It is one of the few citrus fruits we don’t eat.

Pure bergamot smells like:

• Fresh lemon
• Soft peppercorn
• Refined bitterness

It’s beloved for its ability to add sophistication and effortless balance to a wide range of fragrance styles.

What Citrus Smells Like

Olfactive Profile: bright, juicy, zesty, fresh, uplifting

Citrus notes bring:

• Immediate freshness
• Clean transparency
• Brightness and clarity
• Volatile top-note lift that enhances deeper notes

Their volatility makes them essential in both natural and mixed-media compositions.

Where You Can Smell Citrus in Our Collection

A few of our favorite citrus-forward fragrance oils include:

• Grapefruit Shiso
• Citrus Sun

Explore Citrus-Related Collections

• Citrus Fragrance Oils
• Fresh & Clean Fragrance Oils
• Green Fragrance Oils
• Spring & Summer Fragrances
• Floral Fragrance Oils

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do citrus notes fade quickly?

Citrus molecules are highly volatile, meaning they evaporate faster than other fragrance materials. This gives citrus its iconic “burst” of freshness.

Are citrus oils always natural?

Citrus essential oils are natural, but citrus notes in fragrances may also be supported by other natural or synthetic materials for stability, longevity, or cost-efficiency.

Is bergamot safe to use?

Yes. Bergamot used in fragrance is typically bergapten-free (also labeled as FCF — furocoumarin-free) to meet IFRA phototoxicity standards.

Do citrus oils work in all product types?

Yes. Citrus notes are used across fine fragrance, home fragrance, skincare, haircare, cleaning, and more. Always check IFRA category limits for your specific application.

Can you create custom citrus-forward fragrances?

Absolutely. Our Fragrance Design Services team can develop bespoke citrus accords—from sparkling grapefruit to refined bergamot.

Have questions about citrus or formulation? Contact us—we’re happy to help.