Lime Oil is a citrus-derived aromatic ingredient used in cosmetic and personal-care formulations for its fresh, sharp, green-citrus fragrance. It is generally obtained from the fruit peel of the lime plant, commonly Citrus aurantiifolia, also known as key lime or Mexican lime. Depending on the commercial grade, Lime Oil may be produced through mechanical expression or distillation.
Lime Oil is used in fragrance compositions, soaps, shampoos, body washes, cleansers, lotions and other perfumed cosmetic products. Its characteristic citrus profile can complement herbal, floral, woody and other citrus notes in fragrance development.
The botanical source, extraction method and processing conditions are important when selecting Lime Oil for a formulation. Expressed Lime Oil and distilled Lime Oil can differ in composition and phototoxicity considerations. Buyers should therefore confirm the exact ingredient identity, extraction method and applicable technical documentation before selecting a grade.
Lime Oil is a volatile aromatic oil obtained from lime fruit material, particularly the peel. The commonly referenced botanical source is Citrus aurantiifolia of the Rutaceae family.
Two important commercial forms are:
These forms should not be treated as interchangeable. The correct INCI name, CAS number and technical specification depend on the exact commercial material.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Lime Oil |
| Common Names | Lime Essential Oil, Key Lime Oil, Mexican Lime Oil |
| Common Botanical Source | Citrus aurantiifolia |
| Plant Family | Rutaceae |
| Plant Part | Fruit peel |
| Ingredient Type | Volatile citrus oil / essential oil |
| Common INCI Name | Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Oil; exact name depends on grade |
| Distilled-Grade INCI | Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Oil Distilled, where applicable |
| Common CAS Reference | 8008-26-2 for Lime Oil Distilled; verify the supplied grade |
| Alternative CAS Reference | 90063-52-8 is associated with Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Oil Distilled in some ingredient references |
| Physical State | Liquid |
| Appearance | Typically clear to pale yellow or yellow-green; grade-dependent |
| Odour | Fresh, sharp, green and characteristic citrus |
| Water Solubility | Insoluble or poorly soluble in water |
| Solubility in Oils | Generally compatible with suitable fragrance and lipophilic systems |
| Primary Cosmetic Function | Perfuming / fragrance |
| Other Possible Functions | Product-specific; verify the declared INCI and supplier documentation |
Identity note: Lime Oil is not the same as Lemon Oil, Sweet Orange Oil, Lime Seed Oil or Litsea Cubeba Oil. CAS and INCI identifiers should be matched to the actual source, plant part and extraction method.
Lime Oil is a natural mixture of volatile aromatic compounds rather than a single pure chemical substance. Its composition can vary with cultivar, growing conditions, fruit maturity, extraction technique, storage and processing.
Commonly associated constituents include:
Limonene has the molecular formula C₁₀H₁₆ and a molecular weight of approximately 136.24 g/mol. These values refer to limonene alone, not to the complete Lime Oil mixture.
A batch-specific chromatographic profile, such as GC or GC-MS data where available, should be consulted when a formulation requires a defined constituent profile.
Lime Oil is primarily used as a perfuming ingredient. Its crisp citrus character can add freshness and brightness to fragrance compositions and scented personal-care products.
Lime Oil can be blended with other citrus oils, herbal notes, floral materials and woody fragrance ingredients. Its suitability depends on the desired fragrance profile and the specifications of the selected grade.
Lime Oil may be evaluated in soaps, body washes, shampoos and other cleansing products where a fresh citrus aroma is desired. Compatibility and fragrance retention should be assessed in the finished formulation.
Formulators can consider Lime Oil for selected lotions, creams, body-care products and other fragranced cosmetics, provided the grade meets the intended application requirements and relevant safety restrictions.
Lime Oil may be considered for the following formulation categories:
Skin and Body Care
Haircare
Bath and Cleansing Products
Fragrance Applications
The suitability of Lime Oil depends on the final product type, concentration, exposure conditions, fragrance requirements and applicable ingredient restrictions.
| Feature | Lime Oil | Lemon Oil | Lime Seed Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common Botanical Source | Citrus aurantiifolia | Citrus limon | Seeds of a lime species |
| Main Plant Part | Fruit peel | Fruit peel | Seeds |
| Ingredient Type | Volatile aromatic oil | Volatile aromatic oil | Fixed vegetable oil |
| Main Formulation Role | Primarily perfuming | Primarily perfuming | Oil-phase and skin-conditioning applications, grade-dependent |
| Aroma | Sharp, green citrus | Bright lemon citrus | Typically a fatty-oil profile rather than a peel-oil aroma |
| Key Selection Factor | Extraction method and phototoxicity profile | Extraction method and phototoxicity profile | Fatty acid profile and fixed-oil quality |
These ingredients have different compositions and functions. They should not be substituted for one another solely because their names refer to citrus fruits.
Confirm whether the material is expressed, distilled, folded or otherwise processed. Extraction method can affect composition, aroma, stability and suitability for particular cosmetic applications.
Expressed Lime Oil may contain furocoumarins that can cause phototoxic reactions when applied to skin and followed by ultraviolet exposure. Distilled Lime Oil can have a different phototoxicity profile, but the grade should not be assumed to be phototoxicity-free without suitable documentation.
For leave-on products and other relevant applications, evaluate the current IFRA standard where applicable, the supplier's safety documentation and the finished product's intended exposure conditions. Do not apply a universal use percentage without checking the exact oil and product category.
The appropriate concentration depends on the product type, fragrance composition, intended use and applicable safety requirements. Conduct formulation and stability testing before commercial production.
Citrus oils can undergo oxidative changes during storage. Protect Lime Oil from excessive heat, light and air exposure, and keep it in a suitable, tightly closed container under the supplier's recommended conditions.
Assess compatibility with surfactants, emulsifiers, fragrance ingredients, preservatives, packaging materials and other formulation components. Evaluate the finished product for appearance, odour retention and stability.
Before procurement or formulation, review the available documents for the exact grade, including:
Swapnroop provides cosmetic ingredient options for manufacturers, formulators and personal-care businesses evaluating aromatic raw materials for fragrance applications.
Lime Oil can be considered for selected citrus-fragranced products, including soaps, shampoos, cleansers, body washes and other personal-care formulations. The botanical identity, extraction method, quality specifications and suitability for the intended application should be confirmed for the particular commercial grade.
For procurement, request the applicable product specification, batch COA, technical documentation and safety information before finalizing the raw material.
Lime Oil is a volatile aromatic oil commonly obtained from the peel of Citrus aurantiifolia. It is used mainly as a perfuming ingredient in cosmetic and personal-care formulations.
A commonly used INCI name is Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Oil. Distilled materials may be identified as Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Oil Distilled, where applicable. Confirm the exact name against the supplied grade's documentation.
CAS 8008-26-2 is commonly associated with distilled Lime Oil. CAS 90063-52-8 is associated with Citrus Aurantifolia Peel Oil Distilled in some cosmetic ingredient references. The correct identifier must be confirmed for the actual material.
Lime Oil is primarily used as a fragrance ingredient in soaps, shampoos, body washes, cleansers and selected fragranced skincare and body-care products.
No. Lime Oil is a volatile oil and is generally insoluble or poorly soluble in water. Suitable solubilization or emulsification may be necessary in water-based formulations.
Expressed Lime Oil is mechanically obtained from peel material and may contain furocoumarins associated with phototoxicity. Distilled Lime Oil has a different composition and may have a different phototoxicity profile. The specific grade and supporting documentation should guide its use.
It may be considered only after evaluating the specific grade, phototoxicity profile, applicable fragrance restrictions and intended exposure. A qualified formulation and safety assessment is important, especially for products applied to sun-exposed skin.
No. Lime Oil and Lemon Oil generally come from different citrus species and have distinct fragrance profiles and ingredient identities.
No. Lime Oil is a mixture of volatile constituents and therefore does not have one single molecular formula. Individual constituents, such as limonene, have their own molecular formulas.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Clear liquid; colour grade-dependent |