Citrus

Lemon

Note Profile

Botanical 6,469 perfumes

Also Known As

Amalfi Lemon, Calabrian Lemon, Californian Lemon, Italian Lemon, Lemon oil, Limoncello, Primofiore Lemon, Sicilian Lemon

About

Bright, zesty lemon

Scent Profile

Lemon has a vibrant, zesty aroma with sharp, sparkling citrus facets and a slightly sweet undertone. Its scent is immediately recognisable, with fresh, effervescent top notes that can also reveal subtle green and floral nuances as it dissipates. The fragrance is fleeting, lending an initial burst of brightness before quickly fading.

ScentWheel

Breadthfocused

EnvelopeTop · ~3h lasting

Family Fresh & Citrus, Fruity

Read off the wheel, not a label applied to the note.

WorldSee it in Note Island

ScentArt

What is ScentArt?

What this is made of

citral

Principally this

CAS 141-27-5

Citral is the characterising lemon odorant. The note usually denotes the expressed oil, which we cannot yet link.

Declarable allergen: Named in EU Annex III as Geranial products must list this name above a set concentration
Restricted: An IFRA Standard limits how much of this a perfumer can use the limit applies to the perfumer, not the wearer

These are facts about the substance, not about any perfume with this note.

Why that matters

A perfume that names Lemon can use a different extract, a reformulated version, or a synthetic reconstruction. It can also hold less than the amount that requires a declaration. We cannot tell which applies. These rows cover only the substances we hold a link for.

How the layers join

Origin

Lemon essential oil is primarily obtained by cold-pressing the rind of Citrus limon fruits, cultivated in Mediterranean regions, California, and parts of South America. The oil is extracted without heat to preserve its volatile aromatic compounds. Some perfumery uses also employ lemon terpenes or distilled fractions for specific effects.

Usage in Perfumery

Perfumers use lemon almost exclusively as a top note to impart freshness and lift to compositions, often in colognes, eaux fraîches, and citrus accords. It blends well with other citrus oils, aromatic herbs, florals, and light woods, enhancing the radiance of a fragrance's opening. Due to its volatility, it is rarely used in the heart or base of perfumes.