INCI Name
Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil
Botanical Name
Citrus limon
Lemon essential oil is typically cold-pressed from the peel of Citrus limon. High in limonene and citral, it delivers a bright, citrus aroma with toning and refreshing qualities. Commonly used in cleansers, toners, and body care, steam-distilled lemon oil is preferred for leave-on products to reduce phototoxicity risk.


Fragrance, antioxidant, astringent, skin toning
Product Type(s):
Typical Usage Range:
0.5–2% in leave-on (steam-distilled); up to 5% in rinse-off formulations
Bright, citrus aroma that uplifts and refreshes; traditionally used in toning and cleansing preparations
Primary Components:
Limonene, β-pinene, γ-terpinene, citral
Cold-pressed oil is phototoxic; avoid sun exposure after use unless steam-distilled; may irritate sensitive skin; patch test recommended
Preferred Extraction Method:
Cold-pressed (steam-distilled option available for leave-on use)
Choose organic, cold-pressed for rinse-off products; steam-distilled preferred for leave-on formulations; confirm cosmetic grade
Explore additional safety and regulatory data from trusted external sources:
*The ingredient details on this page are intended for general educational use and should not be considered exhaustive. Additional properties, uses, or safety considerations may be available from other sources. Root & Ritual Apothecary is not affiliated with Cosmetics Info, Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR), INCIDecoder, SkinSafe, EWG Skin Deep, or SpecialChem. External links are provided solely for informational purposes; Root & Ritual does not control or guarantee the accuracy, methodology, or conclusions of third-party sources, including consumer rating systems such as EWG.
Lemon Essential Oil
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