Lemon Essential Oil

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.

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Primary Function
Essential Oil
Add'l Function
Antioxidant
Scent Profile
Citrus
Bright
Fresh
Is It Natural?
Natural (Cold-Pressed or Steam-Distilled)
Formulate with Confidence

Botanical Building Blocks for Every Blend

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Skin Type Suitability

All
Oily
Blemish-Prone
Combination
Mature
Considered Safe for Teens
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Typical Product Use

Fragrance, antioxidant, astringent, skin toning

Product Type(s):

Serum
Cream
Lotion
Balm
Butter
Cleanser
Toner
Spray
Hydrating Product
General Use

Typical Usage Range:

0.5–2% in leave-on (steam-distilled); up to 5% in rinse-off formulations

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Supportive Qualities

Bright, citrus aroma that uplifts and refreshes; traditionally used in toning and cleansing preparations

Primary Components:

Limonene, β-pinene, γ-terpinene, citral

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Important to Know

Cold-pressed oil is phototoxic; avoid sun exposure after use unless steam-distilled; may irritate sensitive skin; patch test recommended

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Sourcing Tips

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

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More information*

Explore additional safety and regulatory data from trusted external sources:

Cosmetics Info
Cosmetic Ingredient Review
EWG's Skin Deep
INCIDecoder
SkinSAFE
SpecialChem

*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.