Lime (Citrus aurantifolia)
A bright, zesty citrus oil popular for daytime diffusing, with the phototoxicity caution typical of cold-pressed citrus peels.
How to use it
3–5 drops for an easy, uplifting citrus note, especially in the morning.
Strongly phototoxic — dilute before topical use and avoid sun/UV for 12–72 hours.
Safety in detail
- Max dermal use
- ~0.7% on skin (expressed lime — strong phototoxicity)
- Phototoxic
- Yes — avoid UV after topical use
- Cold-pressed (expressed) lime is strongly phototoxic — one of the most sun-sensitising citrus oils. Keep treated skin out of sun / UV for 12–18 hours.
- Steam-distilled lime is not phototoxic and is the safer choice for leave-on skin use.
- Dilute well; keep out of reach of children.
Sources: Chisholm et al. (2000), Journal of Essential Oil Research
Composition & chemistry
Aggregated from 42 GC-MS samples across 21 peer-reviewed open-access studies (2018–2026). Figures are the distribution across those samples — median with interquartile range — not a single reading.
- Monoterpene hydrocarbon 84.9%
- Oxygenated monoterpene 9.6%
- Sesquiterpene hydrocarbon 5%
- Unclassified 0.5%
| Constituent | Median | Typical range | Max | Detected in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| limonene ↗ C10H16 | 43.5% | 26.6–47.9% | 71.7% | |
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| γ-terpinene ↗ C10H16 | 12.5% | 10.1–14.2% | 16.9% | |
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| β-pinene ↗ C10H16 | 11.4% | 2.9–12.6% | 26.3% | |
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| β-bisabolene ↗ C15H24 | 2.8% | 2.0–3.7% | 5.6% | |
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| α-pinene ↗ C10H16 | 2.1% | 1.5–3.4% | 14.3% | |
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| sabinene ↗ C10H16 | 1.7% | 0.3–2.2% | 31.9% | |
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| α-terpineol ↗ C10H18O | 1.6% | 0.8–4.0% | 13.1% | |
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| p-cymene ↗ C10H14 | 1.3% | 0.7–3.4% | 6.5% | |
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| myrcene ↗ C10H16 | 1.2% | 0.9–1.8% | 2.6% | |
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| terpinolene ↗ C10H16 | 1.1% | 0.8–3.4% | 11.2% | |
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| α-terpinene ↗ C10H16 | 0.8% | 0.4–1.2% | 3.8% | |
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| linalool ↗ C10H18O | 0.7% | 0.2–1.6% | 2.4% | |
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+ 99 more compounds reported across the dataset.
21 peer-reviewed sources behind these figures
- Jafari M, Shahsavar A. (2021). The Effect of Foliar Application of Melatonin on Changes in Secondary Metabolite Contents in Two Citrus Species Under Drought Stress Conditions. Frontiers in plant science.
- Moura VS, Olandin LD, Mariano BS, Rodrigues J, Devite FT, Arantes ACC, Queiroga CL, Sartoratto A, de Azevedo FA, Bastianel M. (2024). Antifungal Activity of Citrus Essential Oil in Controlling Sour Rot in Tahiti Acid Lime Fruits. Plants (Basel, Switzerland).
- Tadtong S, Chantavacharakorn R, Khayankan S, Akachaipaibul P, Eiamart W, Samee W. (2025). Synergistic Antifungal Properties, Chemical Composition, and Frontier Molecular Orbital Analysis of Essential Oils from Lemongrass, Kaffir Lime, Lime, Dill, and Shatavari Against Malassezia furfur. International journal of molecular sciences.
- Elkhawas YA, El Hassab MA, Al Kamaly O, Negmeldin AT, Majrashi TA, Eldehna WM, Mostafa NM. (2025). <i>Citrus aurantifolia</i> essential oil: antiaging potential through integrated <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in silico</i> studies. Frontiers in chemistry.
- Duangsombat P, Waranuch N, Pitaksuteepong T. (2025). Chemical characterization and antimicrobial activities of Citrus aurantifolia peel oils and Ocimum sanctum ethanolic extract. PloS one.
- Abdel-Ghany HSM, Ayoob F, Baiome BA, Allam SA, Youssef AA, Kabadaia MM, Abdel-Shafy S. (2026). Larvicidal activity of essential oils and nanoemulsions against Culex pipiens larvae (Diptera: Culicidae). Scientific reports.
- Elmaidomy AH, Mohamed EM, Bahr HS, Abdelmohsen UR. (2026). Volatile composition of essential oils from major Egyptian Citrus cultivars: a multivariate chemometric approach. Scientific reports.
- Pachura-Hanusek N, Banaszkiewicz S, Lewandowska K, Burek A, Szumny A, Tabiś A, Bania J, Kupczyński R. (2026). From Composition to Function: Lime Essential Oil (<i>Citrus aurantifolia</i>) and (<i>R</i>)-(+)-Limonene and Their Impact on Rumen Microbiota, Fermentation, Methane Emission and Blood Metabolic Parameters in Dairy Cows. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland).
- Mohammed IO, Alrasheid AA, Hussein Ayoub SM. (2024). GC-MS Analysis and Study of the Antimicrobial Activity of Citrus paradisi, Citrus aurantifolia, and Citrus sinensis Peel Essential Oils as Hand Sanitizer. International journal of microbiology.
- Permadi N, Nurzaman M, Doni F, Julaeha E. (2024). Elucidation of the composition, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties of essential oil and extract from Citrus aurantifolia (Christm.) Swingle peel. Saudi journal of biological sciences.
- Lubinska-Szczygeł M, Kuczyńska-Łażewska A, Rutkowska M, Polkowska Ż, Katrich E, Gorinstein S. (2023). Determination of the Major By-Products of Citrus hystrix Peel and Their Characteristics in the Context of Utilization in the Industry. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland).
- Hassanein MMM, Abdel-Razek AG, Al-Amrousi EF, Badr AN. (2023). Application of lime peel oil composite nanoemulsion to prevent toxigenic fungi in nuts. Heliyon.
- Song BW, Lee CY, Park JH, Kim B, Lee S, Lim S, Kim SW, Choi JW, Kang M, Kang JH, Lee SS, Park MJ, Moon H, Hwang KC, Kim IK. (2022). Cold-pressed oil from Citrus aurantifolia inhibits the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells via regulation of PI3K/MAPK signaling pathways. Experimental and therapeutic medicine.
- Sreepian A, Popruk S, Nutalai D, Phutthanu C, Sreepian PM. (2022). Antibacterial Activities and Synergistic Interaction of Citrus Essential Oils and Limonene with Gentamicin against Clinically Isolated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. TheScientificWorldJournal.
- Cioni E, Migone C, Ascrizzi R, Muscatello B, De Leo M, Piras AM, Zambito Y, Flamini G, Pistelli L. (2022). Comparing Metabolomic and Essential Oil Fingerprints of Citrus australasica F. Muell (Finger Lime) Varieties and Their In Vitro Antioxidant Activity. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland).
- EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP), Bampidis V, Azimonti G, Bastos ML, Christensen H, Kouba M, Fašmon Durjava M, López-Alonso M, López Puente S, Marcon F, Mayo B, Pechová A, Petkova M, Ramos F, Ramos F, Sanz Y, Villa RE, Woutersen R, Brantom P, Chesson A, Westendorf J, Galobart J, Manini P, Pizzo F, Dusemund B. (2021). Safety and efficacy of feed additives consisting of expressed lemon oil and its fractions from <i>Citrus limon</i> (L.) Osbeck and of lime oil from <i>Citrus aurantiifolia</i> (Christm.) Swingle for use in all animal species (FEFANA asbl). EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority.
- Adokoh CK, Asante DB, Acheampong DO, Kotsuchibashi Y, Armah FA, Sirikyi IH, Kimura K, Gmakame E, Abdul-Rauf S. (2019). Chemical profile and in vivo toxicity evaluation of unripe Citrus aurantifolia essential oil. Toxicology reports.
- Lin LY, Chuang CH, Chen HC, Yang KM. (2019). Lime (Citrus aurantifolia (Christm.) Swingle) Essential Oils: Volatile Compounds, Antioxidant Capacity, and Hypolipidemic Effect. Foods (Basel, Switzerland).
- Acheampong DO, Barffour IK, Boye A, Asiamah EA, Armah FA, Adokoh CK, Oluyemi JF, Adrah B, Opoku R, Adakudugu E. (2019). Histoprotective Effect of Essential Oil from Citrus aurantifolia in Testosterone-Induced Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Rat. Advances in urology.
- Sarma R, Adhikari K, Mahanta S, Khanikor B. (2019). Insecticidal activities of Citrus aurantifolia essential oil against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae). Toxicology reports.
- Al-Aamri MS, Al-Abousi NM, Al-Jabri SS, Alam T, Khan SA. (2018). Chemical composition and in-vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Citrus aurantifolia L. leaves grown in Eastern Oman. Journal of Taibah University Medical Sciences.
Every figure above traces to a named table in one of these open-access papers. How this was built →
- Limonene — the dominant citrus terpene; antioxidant activity reported in vitro Shah et al. (2018), Asian J. of Pharmacy and Pharmacology
Sharper and more tart than lemon, with a slightly green, less sweet edge.
What the research says
An honest read of the published research — what has actually been studied, at what stage. Not medical advice or a promise of results.
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Expressed lime oil is a limonene- and pinene-rich citrus oil whose furanocoumarins make the cold-pressed form notably phototoxic — the key practical safety point for this oil.
Chisholm et al. (2000), Journal of Essential Oil Research
Evidence & sources
Peer-reviewed research on Lime's chemistry and safety. These describe composition and documented effects — not health or treatment claims.
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Cold-pressed Kagzi lime peel oil is dominated by limonene with substantial β-pinene and γ-terpinene.
Chisholm et al. (2000), Journal of Essential Oil Research
Frequently asked questions
Is lime oil phototoxic?
Cold-pressed (expressed) lime is strongly phototoxic — even more sun-sensitising than lemon. After skin use, avoid sun and UV for 12–18 hours, or choose a steam-distilled lime oil, which isn't phototoxic. Chisholm et al. (2000), Journal of Essential Oil Research
What's the difference between expressed and distilled lime oil?
Expressed (cold-pressed) lime keeps the phototoxic furanocoumarins and has a fresher peel aroma; distilled lime is processed with heat, smells slightly different, and is non-phototoxic — better for leave-on skin products.
Can I diffuse lime oil any time?
Yes — phototoxicity only matters for oil left on skin that's then exposed to light. Diffusing lime into the air is fine at any time of day.
Gallery
Lime (Citrus aurantifolia) is cold-pressed from the peel, giving it the same bright, zesty profile you’d expect from fresh limes — sharper and more tart than lemon, with a slightly green, less sweet edge. Limes are believed to have originated in Southeast Asia before spreading through the Middle East and eventually the Americas, where Key limes and Persian limes now dominate commercial production.
Aroma character
Zesty, tart, and unmistakably green — brighter and slightly more acidic-smelling than lemon, which makes it a popular pick for daytime diffusing when you want energy without heaviness.
In the diffuser
3–5 drops is an easy, widely-liked uplifting citrus note, especially in the morning, and it blends naturally with other citrus oils or with mint for a cooling combination.
Safety note
Cold-pressed citrus oils like lime contain furanocoumarins, compounds that can make skin more sensitive to UV light — lime is actually considered one of the stronger phototoxic citrus oils. Avoid applying lime oil to skin that will see sun or tanning-bed exposure for 12–72 hours afterward, and always dilute before any topical use.
What pairs well
Lime works well with mint, other citrus oils, and green, herbaceous notes like basil for a fresh, energizing blend.
Internal use
Only Lime Vitality is labeled for ingestion — don’t use the standard Lime oil internally; see our Lime Vitality profile for the culinary version.
Found in these blends
Lime is one of the oils inside 7 Young Living blends.