Limonene leads, but proportions vary
LaboratoryIn one, limonene reaches 60.7%, ahead of β-pinene (12.6%) and γ-terpinene (10.3%)9. In the other, it is 39.7% and β-pinene 25.4%, with 21 components identified10.
Lemon essential oil
Lemon essential oil is the volatile oil obtained from the fruit of Citrus limon1. It is rich in limonene9 and contains furocoumarins, responsible for its phototoxicity4. It is named in Annex III of Regulation (EU) 2023/1545 (line 353)2 and, for its furocoumarins, falls under Annex II (line 358)3.
Lemon essential oil at a glance
Entry from our cosmetic ingredient glossary. Regulatory data from the European Commission's CosIng database1 and from Regulations (EU) 2023/15452 and 1223/2009 consolidated3. Copy the identifiers in one click for your files.
- INCI name
- CITRUS LIMON FRUIT OILUS INCI name: CITRUS LIMON (LEMON) FRUIT OIL1
- Other names
- Lemon essential oilLemon oil. Not to be confused with lemon fruit extract (CITRUS LIMON FRUIT EXTRACT), a different ingredient1
- CAS number
- 8008-56-8Regulation (EU) 2023/1545 cites this CAS at line 353, together with CAS 84929-31-72
- EC number
- Not assignedCosIng gives no EC number for this entry1
- Botanical origin
- Lemon (Citrus limon, Rutaceae)CosIng: volatile oil obtained from the fruit1
- Composition
- Limonene, β-pinene, γ-terpineneLimonene 60.7%, β-pinene 12.6% and γ-terpinene 10.3% in one analyzed oil9; limonene 39.7% and β-pinene 25.4% in another10. Composition varies from one oil to another
- CosIng functions
- Astringent, tonic"Astringent" and "Tonic"1
- EU status
- Named in Annex III, line 353Citrus limon oil, line added by Regulation (EU) 2023/15452. The regulation names it "Citrus Limon Peel Oil" (CAS 84929-31-7 / 8008-56-8), whereas CosIng registers it under CITRUS LIMON FRUIT OIL and refers to line II/3581
- Allergen to declare
- Yes, as an oil and through its constituentsAbove 0.001% in a leave-on product and 0.01% in a rinse-off product2. Limonene (line 88, peroxide value below 20 mmol/L) and β-pinene (line 371) are also named3. Non-compliant products could be placed on the market until 31 July 2026 and may be made available until 31 July 20282
What the research says
Each result shows the protocol and the level of evidence. The higher the level, the better the result carries over to a finished formula.
Clinical trialReview or consensusLaboratory
Oil compositionChemistry
Measuring furocoumarins in cold-pressed oils
LaboratoryA method separates and measures 15 furocoumarins of citrus oils; it can be run in a quality control lab equipped with an HPLC7.
PhotosensitizationSafety
Two furocoumarins explain the phototoxicity
LaboratoryOxypeucedanin and bergapten explain almost all of the phototoxic activity. Their content varies more than 20-fold by origin (bergapten from 4 to 87 ppm, oxypeucedanin from 26 to 728 ppm) and their ratio is not constant. Oxypeucedanin is four times less potent than bergapten4.
Irritating, sensitizing, phototoxic
ReviewThe EFSA panel classifies pressed lemon oil and its fractions as irritating to skin, eyes and airways, and as sensitizing. They contain furocoumarins and may cause phototoxicity. The opinion concerns animal feed5.
Different furocoumarin profiles from one citrus to another
LaboratoryNotable differences appear between varieties and between origins of the same species. The abstract gives no content specific to lemon6.
Oxidation and contact allergiesToxicology
CIR assessment of citrus peel oils
ReviewThe panel concludes the oils are safe if finished leave-on products do not exceed 0.0015% (15 ppm) of 5-methoxypsoralen and are formulated to be non-sensitizing and non-irritating8.
Oxidized limonene is far more sensitizing
ReviewExposed to air, limonene forms hydroperoxides that are far more sensitizing than the pure compound. Some of the positive tests may be irritant false positives11.
Limonene hydroperoxides: 3.1% positive tests
Clinical studyTests with limonene hydroperoxides (0.3%) were positive in 170 people (3.1%), with many weak, doubtful or irritant reactions12.
Use on skinEvidence
This page summarizes published literature on a cosmetic ingredient. It does not describe the effect of a finished product, which depends on its formula, and it is not medical advice. Evidence is flagged by level: clinical trial, review or laboratory.
Which products use lemon essential oil?
Our white label catalog includes 1 formula with lemon essential oil: the key active in 1 of them, a supporting ingredient in the others. Every category can be customized (formula, fragrance, packaging).
1Body
Fragrance of the cypress and lemon massage oil in the catalog, which combines the two essential oils.
In our formulas, it is most often paired with
Coconut oil 1Arnica extracts 1Argan oil 1Apricot kernel oil 1Horse chestnut 1Lemon, sweet orange, petitgrain bigarade or litsea cubeba?
Four citrus-scented oils often compared. Their chemistry differs, so do their labeling and their photosensitizing risk.
| Lemon | Sweet orange | Petitgrain bigarade | Litsea cubeba | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dominant constituents | Limonene, β-pinene, γ-terpinene9 | Limonene | Linalool and linalyl acetate | Citral (neral and geranial) |
| Regulation (EU) 2023/1545 | Oil named (line 353)2 | Oil named (line 351)2 | Oil not named under its INCI2 | Oil not named; citral named (line 70)3 |
| Carmel catalog formulas | 1 formula | 1 formula | None | None |
Frequently asked questions about lemon essential oil
What is lemon essential oil?
What are the benefits of lemon essential oil for skin?
Is lemon essential oil photosensitizing?
It contains furocoumarins, including bergapten and oxypeucedanin, which explain almost all of its phototoxicity4. Their content varies more than 20-fold by origin of the oil. Annex II (line 358) allows them at "normal content in the natural essences" and requires below 1 mg/kg in sun protection and tanning products3. For a leave-on product, the CIR retains at most 0.0015% (15 ppm) of 5-methoxypsoralen8. Ask for the oil's certificate of analysis.
Do I have to declare lemon oil in the ingredient list?
Yes. Since Regulation (EU) 2023/1545, Citrus limon oil is named in Annex III (line 353) and must be declared above 0.001% in a leave-on product and 0.01% in a rinse-off product2. The limonene and β-pinene it contains are also named3. Non-compliant products may be made available on the market until 31 July 2028.
Is lemon oil allergenic?
It can be: limonene oxidizes in air and its hydroperoxides are far more sensitizing than the pure compound11. In a study of 5,511 tested people, 3.1% reacted to limonene hydroperoxides, with a risk of false positives12. Air-protected packaging, an antioxidant and tolerance tests on the finished product limit the risk.
What is the difference between lemon extract and lemon essential oil?
Can you manufacture a lemon product for my brand?
Yes. Our ISO 22716 certified lab can add lemon essential oil to a catalog formula that you customize (the catalog includes a cypress and lemon massage oil) or to a custom formula, with furocoumarin control. Samples are free.
Further reading
- Fragrance allergens 2026: Canada, EU, USA compliance checklist for white label brandsThe fragrance allergens to declare and what changes as the list is extended
- EU cosmetics regulations in 2026The European framework brands need to know in 2026
- Cosmetics labeling regulations: what changes for brandsThe labeling rules that affect the ingredient list
Sources
Peer-reviewed studies and official regulatory sources, checked on November 3, 2026.
- European Commission. CosIng, entry CITRUS LIMON FRUIT OIL (CAS 8008-56-8, EC -). ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing
- Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/1545 of 26 July 2023 amending Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards labelling of fragrance allergens in cosmetic products (Annex III). eur-lex.europa.eu
- Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council on cosmetic products, consolidated version of 1 May 2025 (Annexes II and III). eur-lex.europa.eu
- Naganuma M, Hirose S, Nakayama Y, Nakajima K, Someya T. A study of the phototoxicity of lemon oil. Arch Dermatol Res. 1985;278(1):31-36. doi:10.1007/bf00412492
- EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP), Bampidis V, Azimonti G, Bastos ML, Christensen H, Kouba M, et al. Safety and efficacy of feed additives consisting of expressed lemon oil and its fractions from Citrus limon (L.) Osbeck and of lime oil from Citrus aurantiifolia (Christm.) Swingle for use in all animal species (FEFANA asbl). EFSA J. 2021;19(4):e06548. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2021.6548
- Dosoky NS, Satyal P, Setzer WN. Authentication of Citrus spp. Cold-Pressed Essential Oils by Their Oxygenated Heterocyclic Components. Molecules. 2022;27(19):6277. doi:10.3390/molecules27196277
- Frérot E, Decorzant E. Quantification of total furocoumarins in citrus oils by HPLC coupled with UV, fluorescence, and mass detection. J Agric Food Chem. 2004;52(23):6879-6886. doi:10.1021/jf040164pFirmenich
- Burnett CL, Fiume MM, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Hill RA, Klaassen CD, et al. Safety Assessment of Citrus-Derived Peel Oils as Used in Cosmetics. Int J Toxicol. 2019;38:33S-59S. doi:10.1177/1091581819862504
- Kačániová M, Čmiková N, Vukovic NL, Verešová A, Bianchi A, Garzoli S, et al. Citrus limon Essential Oil: Chemical Composition and Selected Biological Properties Focusing on the Antimicrobial (In Vitro, In Situ), Antibiofilm, Insecticidal Activity and Preservative Effect against Salmonella enterica Inoculated in Carrot. Plants (Basel). 2024;13(4):524. doi:10.3390/plants13040524
- Ben Hsouna A, Ben Halima N, Smaoui S, Hamdi N. Citrus lemon essential oil: chemical composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities with its preservative effect against Listeria monocytogenes inoculated in minced beef meat. Lipids Health Dis. 2017;16(1):146. doi:10.1186/s12944-017-0487-5
- de Groot A. Limonene Hydroperoxides. Dermatitis. 2019;30(6):331-335. doi:10.1097/der.0000000000000465
- Schubert S, Geier J, Brans R, Heratizadeh A, Kränke B, Schnuch A, et al. Patch testing hydroperoxides of limonene and linalool in consecutive patients-Results of the IVDK 2018-2020. Contact Dermatitis. 2023;89(2):85-94. doi:10.1111/cod.14332
- Dosoky NS, Setzer WN. Biological Activities and Safety of Citrus spp. Essential Oils. Int J Mol Sci. 2018;19(7):E1966. doi:10.3390/ijms19071966
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