A BOTANICAL PROFILE

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Lemon, cold-pressed (Citrus limon)

Citrus limon

Chemotype: limonene chemotype (monoterpene hydrocarbons ~92%)

citrusfreshsharpsweetfruitygreen
PLANT PART
peel
EXTRACTION
cold pressed/expressed
AROMA NOTE
top

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What’s inside this oil?

Constituents are the natural chemicals that give an oil its character. See the main ones, learn what they do, and explore differences between batches.

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FOLLOW YOUR SENSES

Aroma & character

A closer look at this oil's scent, strength, and staying power.

citrusfreshsharpsweetfruitygreen
Aroma intensity
45 / 100
Soft & subtleBold & expressive
Note layer
top
Approximate tenacity
1–4 hours

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A LITTLE CARE GOES A LONG WAY

Using it thoughtfully

Read the full safety context before bringing this oil into your routine.

Cited dermal maximum · leave-on
2%
Phototoxicity
Phototoxic — use caution
Maximum for sun-exposed skin
2%
Oxidation risk
high

A cited maximum is a limit, not a suggested dilution. Missing restrictions do not establish safety.

Cold-pressed (expressed) lemon is phototoxic due to oxypeucedanin and bergapten (5-MOP). Tisserand & Young phototoxic dermal maximum 2.0%. Steam-distilled/FCF lemon is non-phototoxic. IFRA leave-on citrus bergapten limit <=15 ppm.

Contraindications & cautions

  • moderatePhototoxic on UV-exposed skin above 2%.
  • minorHigh d-limonene oxidizes to sensitizing hydroperoxides; store cool/dark.
Read the complete safety guide
Explore measured chemistry from supplier batches

A supplier report describes a particular sample. Open this workspace to investigate measured constituents and their original documents.

THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE SCENT

Inside the oil

8 constituents

An oil's character comes from its natural chemical composition. Explore each constituent to understand the connections.

About this composition

Cold-pressed peel oil from fresh pericarp; 45 compounds, 99.7% identified. Dominated by monoterpene hydrocarbons; limonene by far the largest. Neral+geranial (citral) give the lemon top-note. β-Pinene and γ-terpinene highly variable across origin/maturity.

ConstituentTypical amountReported rangeChemical familySource
Limonene (D-limonene)
60.7%
37.6–76.4%Monoterpenes
View source

PMC10893099 (60.7%); literature range 37.6-76.4%

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10893099/
β-Pinene
12.6%
8–18.7%Monoterpenes
View source

PMC10893099 (12.6%); literature range up to ~18.7%

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10893099/
γ-Terpinene
10.3%
7–12%Monoterpenes
View source

PMC10893099 (10.3%)

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10893099/
α-Pinene
2.6%
1.4–2.6%Monoterpenes
View source

PMC10893099 (2.6%)

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10893099/
Sabinene
2.4%
—Monoterpenes
View source

PMC10893099 (2.4%)

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10893099/
Geranial (E-citral, citral a)
2.2%
—Aldehydes
View source

PMC10893099 (2.2%)

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10893099/
β-Myrcene
1.9%
—Monoterpenes
View source

PMC10893099 (1.9%)

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10893099/
Neral (Z-citral, citral b)
1.2%
—Aldehydes
View source

PMC10893099 (1.2%)

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10893099/

Profile source: AromaWeb Lemon Essential Oil profile; Chemical Composition of Citrus limon L. Burmf Peel Essential Oil from North East India · https://www.aromaweb.com/essential-oils/lemon-essential-oil.php ; https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340891465_Chemical_Composition_of_Citrus_limon_L_Burmf_Peel_Essential_Oil_from_North_East_India