CITRUS RETICULATA PEEL EXTRACT

📋 Quick facts

Description: CITRUS RETICULATA PEEL EXTRACT — antioxidant, fragrance (Mandarin Peel).

All Functions: antioxidant, fragrance (Mandarin Peel)

Quick Facts:

• Category: active
• Regulatory Note: Prohibited in the EU

Proven Benefits At A Glance:

• Citrus reticulata peel extract contains phenolic compounds and flavonoids with antioxidant properties
• Research in animal models suggests potential protective effects against oxidative stress and liver damage
• Studies note the extract contains various bioactive compounds including nobiletin and other flavonoids
• Animal research indicates possible effects on brain signaling pathways related to memory and learning
• Currently studied only in laboratory and animal models — no human skin studies available in these sources

📊 Comedogenicity

🛡️ Safety rating

Safety tier is a starting heuristic from regulatory status and comedogenic rating, not a dermatological verdict — see our Terms for the full disclaimer. Research confidence reflects how many real cited studies back this ingredient, not the strength of their findings.

🌍 Regulatory Status

💧 Skin Type Compatibility

⚠️ Don’t Combine With

📚 Research & Evidence

🔬 The Science

Citrus reticulata peel extract (often called CPE or CRE depending on the study) is being investigated in research for its composition and potential biological effects, though it’s important to note these studies are conducted in animals or cell cultures, not human skin. **What’s in it:** The extract contains multiple bioactive compounds. Gas chromatography analysis identified 19 components, with significant levels of phenolic compounds and flavonoids (Tissue Cell, 2024). Specific compounds identified include nobiletin, sinensetin, tangeretin, and various other polyphenolics detected through advanced analytical methods (J Neural Transm, 2013; ACS Omega, 2025). **Antioxidant activity (#1):** In rat studies, the extract demonstrated antioxidant effects by improving the body’s antioxidant defense systems and reducing oxidative stress markers (Tissue Cell, 2024).

When rats were exposed to a toxic chemical called abamectin, pretreatment with the peel extract reduced resulting damage, suggesting protective capabilities (Tissue Cell, 2024). **Potential liver support (#2):** Animal research showed the extract helped modulate liver function markers and reduced inflammation markers in mice fed a high-fat, high-sugar diet designed to cause fatty liver disease (ACS Omega, 2025). The study noted that certain compounds in the extract, particularly quercetin, showed theoretical binding interactions with inflammatory proteins (ACS Omega, 2025). **Brain signaling (#3):** Laboratory studies on cultured neurons found that concentrated nobiletin-rich extracts from Citrus reticulata peels activated signaling pathways (the cAMP/PKA/ERK/CREB cascade) involved in learning and memory formation, with multiple compounds in the extract contributing to this effect rather than one compound alone (J Neural Transm, 2013).

**Behavioral effects in animal models (#4):** In mice engineered to have seizure-like activity, the extract reduced seizure severity and decreased depression-like behaviors in forced swim and tail suspension tests; it also appeared to affect memory-related performance in maze tests (Nutr Neurosci, 2023). Gene expression analysis suggested these effects involved CREB signaling and altered neurotransmitter ratios (Nutr Neurosci, 2023). **Critical limitation:** None of these sources describe human skin application or effects. The research focuses on oral administration in animal disease models or direct cellular effects, not topical skincare use.

📄 Related Research

Matched by search — not necessarily verified support for every statement above.

• Rahib A et al. (2024). Citrus reticulata peel extract mitigates oxidative stress and liver injury induced by abamectin in rats. Tissue Cell.
• Sharma P et al. (2023). Dietary flavonoids-rich Citrus reticulata peel extract interacts with CREB signaling to suppress seizures and linked neurobehavioral impairments in a kindling mouse model. Nutr Neurosci.
• Elhady SS et al. (2025). Hepatoprotective Potential of Green Synthesized Nanoparticles from Citrus reticulata Peel Extract against HFS Diet-Induced NASH in Mice, Integrated with Chemical Profiling and Molecular Modeling. ACS Omega.
• Manrique-Castillo EV et al. (2025). Fast Kinetic Response and Efficient Removal of Methyl Blue and Methyl Green Dyes by Functionalized Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes Powered with Iron Oxide Nanoparticles and Citrus reticulata Peel Extract. Nanomaterials (Basel).
• Kawahata I et al. (2013). Potent activity of nobiletin-rich Citrus reticulata peel extract to facilitate cAMP/PKA/ERK/CREB signaling associated with learning and memory in cultured hippocampal neurons: identification of the substances responsible for the pharmacological action. J Neural Transm (Vienna).

🧴 Products Containing CITRUS RETICULATA PEEL EXTRACT

• Unilever, Timotei, Bio Timotei Shampooing 2en1 Purifiant 250ml
• Cosmia Bio Crème mains et ongles au beurre de karité bio
• Carrefour, Les Cosmétiques Design Paris, Nectar of nature Gel lavant mains tendresse
• Bio Naïa Crème mains