Fragrance allergen

Citrus Limon Peel Oil

Lemon peel oil is the volatile oil taken from the peel of the lemon, Citrus limon. It is a mixture, mostly of limonene and other terpene hydrocarbons, rather than one molecule. It smells zesty and citrusy. The EU lists it among the fragrance materials that must be named on labels above set limits.

Where it comes from

Lemon peel oil is a natural material obtained from the peel of the lemon, Citrus limon, family Rutaceae. One supplier says its oil is produced by a cold expression process. Citrus oils contain large amounts of monoterpene hydrocarbons, and limonene is the largest constituent: reported at 38.1% to 95.8% of cold-pressed lemon peel oils. Composition varies with where the fruit is grown, its maturity, storage and extraction method.

Smell and use

Zesty, juicy and floral, with a citrus lemon character. These are supplier descriptions of the oil rather than a measured profile.

Lemon oil is described as a key ingredient in cosmetics, aromatherapy and gastronomy because of its distinctive smell and taste. In cosmetics, citrus peel oils are most often reported to function as fragrances or skin-conditioning agents. Its odour is described as citrus lemon.

On the label

Named on 5% of the 6,851 perfume ingredient lists we hold (351 perfumes).

EU
Annex III, entry 353. Must be named above 0.001% in leave-on products (0.01% rinse-off).
Great Britain
Not on Great Britain's list, so a GB label need not name it. The EU list does.

Citrus Limon Peel Oil is in the 2023 EU list of new or amended Annex III entries, so it must be named above 0.001% in leave-on and 0.01% in rinse-off products. A 2014 CIR assessment describes bergapten as a phototoxic furanocoumarin in citrus peel oils. It reports an IFRA limit of 2% for cold-pressed lemon oil in leave-on products applied to skin areas exposed to direct sunlight. IFRA's 51st Amendment index lists cold-pressed lemon oil as a Restriction dated 2020.

A list that does not name it does not prove it is absent: brands only have to name it above the threshold.

Frequency by concentration

  • Eau de parfum 6% of 4,929
  • Eau de toilette 2% of 1,228
  • Extrait 6% of 341
  • Parfum 15% of 194
  • Cologne 1% of 121
  • Body spray 16% of 49
  • Other 4% of 27

Share of the perfumes we hold a list for, in each concentration.

Named alongside

Share of the lists naming Citrus Limon Peel Oil that also name each of these.

Notes whose materials include it

Perfumes whose box names it

Common questions

What does lemon peel oil smell like?

Suppliers describe it as citrus lemon, or as zesty, juicy and floral. That comes from supplier listings, and composition varies with growing location, maturity, storage and extraction method, so individual oils can differ.

Is lemon peel oil natural or synthetic?

It is a natural material obtained from the peel of Citrus limon. One supplier describes cold expression as its production process. Composition varies with growing location, fruit maturity, storage and extraction method.

Why is lemon peel oil on my perfume label?

The EU's 2023 update lists it among the fragrance substances that must be named in the ingredients above 0.001% in leave-on or 0.01% in rinse-off products. From 31 July 2026, non-compliant products may no longer be placed on the EU market. From 31 July 2028, non-compliant products already on the market may no longer be made available.