GET TO KNOW YOUR OILS
Lime Expressed
Citrus aurantifolia
Chemotype: limonene-rich expressed peel oil
- PLANT PART
- fruit peel
- EXTRACTION
- cold pressed / expressed
- AROMA NOTE
- top
LEARN AS YOU COMPARE
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.
Meet the main constituents, then select one to see what makes it interesting.
FOLLOW YOUR SENSES
Aroma & character
A closer look at this oil's scent, strength, and staying power.
- Aroma intensity
- 50 / 100
- Note layer
- top
If you like this scent, explore
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
- 0.7%
- Phototoxicity
- Phototoxic — use caution
- Maximum for sun-exposed skin
- 0.7%
- Oxidation risk
- high
A cited maximum is a limit, not a suggested dilution. Missing restrictions do not establish safety.
Expressed lime is phototoxic. The public IFRA standard for Lime oil expressed sets a 0.70% maximum for Category 5A and related leave-on categories, and public aromatherapy references also cite 0.7% as the dermal maximum for cold-pressed lime.
Contraindications & cautions
- majorExpressed lime should be kept at or below 0.7% in leave-on products because of phototoxic furocoumarins.
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
An oil's character comes from its natural chemical composition. Explore each constituent to understand the connections.
About this composition
This profile is anchored to a 2025 peer-reviewed analysis of fresh key lime essential oil and supplemented with direct phototoxicity references for expressed lime. The expressed peel profile is richer in furocoumarin risk than distilled lime and is treated separately for dermal safety.
| Constituent | Typical amount | Reported range | Chemical family | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Limonene | 42.02% | 42.02–42.02% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceCitrus aurantifolia essential oil: antiaging potential through integrated in vitro and in silico studies https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/chemistry/articles/10.3389/fchem.2025.1577871/full (lines 359-361; D-limonene 42.02%) |
| beta-Pinene | 10.88% | 10.88–10.88% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceCitrus aurantifolia essential oil: antiaging potential through integrated in vitro and in silico studies https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/chemistry/articles/10.3389/fchem.2025.1577871/full (line 361; beta-pinene 10.88%) |
| gamma-Terpinene | 10.16% | 10.16–10.16% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceCitrus aurantifolia essential oil: antiaging potential through integrated in vitro and in silico studies https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/chemistry/articles/10.3389/fchem.2025.1577871/full (line 361; gamma-terpinene 10.16%) |
| alpha-Terpineol | 7.84% | 7.84–7.84% | monoterpene alcohol | View sourceCitrus aurantifolia essential oil: antiaging potential through integrated in vitro and in silico studies https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/chemistry/articles/10.3389/fchem.2025.1577871/full (line 361; alpha-terpineol 7.84%) |
| Terpinen-4-ol | 1.71% | 1.71–1.71% | monoterpene alcohol | View sourceCitrus aurantifolia essential oil: antiaging potential through integrated in vitro and in silico studies https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/chemistry/articles/10.3389/fchem.2025.1577871/full (line 363; 4-terpinenol 1.71% in fresh oil) |
| beta-Bisabolene | 1.52% | 1.52–1.52% | sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceGC/MS Report: Key Lime Oil, Expressed, Mexico https://www.revive-eo.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/REVIVE-GCMS-Report-Key-Lime-Oil-Expressed-Mexico-1L.pdf (page 2 / lines 90-93 in extracted text; beta-bisabolene 1.52%) |
| Bergaptene | 0.07% | 0.07–0.07% | furocoumarin | View sourceGC/MS Report: Key Lime Oil, Expressed, Mexico https://www.revive-eo.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/REVIVE-GCMS-Report-Key-Lime-Oil-Expressed-Mexico-1L.pdf (page 2 / lines 107-110 in extracted text; bergaptene 0.07%) |
| Isopimpinellin | 0.06% | 0.06–0.06% | furocoumarin | View sourceGC/MS Report: Key Lime Oil, Expressed, Mexico https://www.revive-eo.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/REVIVE-GCMS-Report-Key-Lime-Oil-Expressed-Mexico-1L.pdf (page 2 / lines 108-111 in extracted text; isopimpinellin 0.06%) |
Profile source: Citrus aurantifolia essential oil: antiaging potential through integrated in vitro and in silico studies; Lime oil expressed IFRA Standard; Lime Essential Oil: Benefits, Uses & Insights; GC/MS Report: Key Lime Oil, Expressed, Mexico · https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/chemistry/articles/10.3389/fchem.2025.1577871/full ; https://d3t14p1xronwr0.cloudfront.net/docs/standards/IFRA_STD_093.pdf ; https://www.aromaweb.com/essential-oils/lime-essential-oil.php ; https://www.revive-eo.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/REVIVE-GCMS-Report-Key-Lime-Oil-Expressed-Mexico-1L.pdf
A TRADITION OF BOTANICAL CURIOSITY
Traditional & reported uses
These uses reflect the profile's reported traditions and literature. They are not established treatment recommendations.
- traditionally used in aromatherapy for uplifting, energizing, mood-brightening diffuser blends
- reported to support mental clarity and an invigorated, refreshed feeling
- used in household and cleaning-fragrance blends for its zesty, sharp citrus reputation
- traditionally associated with easing occasional low mood when diffused
- used in perfumery for its bright, oily, authentic lime-peel top note (note: expressed lime carries phototoxicity considerations)
- reported to support digestive comfort in traditional aromatic use
For aromatherapy and wellness use only — not medical advice. Effect statements are traditional/reported associations, not treatment claims. The Synergy Rating scores blend craft, harmony and safety, not medical efficacy. Read the safety framework.
What we're still learning · 1 data gaps
Good decisions start with knowing what is — and isn't — in the evidence.
- No public source located in this pass gave directly measured volatility-rate or tenacity-hour values for expressed lime oil.