# Lime essential oil > A bright, zesty citrus oil popular for daytime diffusing, with the phototoxicity caution typical of cold-pressed citrus peels. Canonical page: https://essential-oils.club/oils/single/lime Type: Single oil ## At a glance - **Botanical name:** Citrus aurantifolia - **Plant part:** Fruit peel - **Extraction:** Cold-pressed - **Aroma:** Zesty, tart, green - **Origin:** Southeast Asia - **Blends with:** Mint, citrus, basil ## Composition (GC-MS research aggregate) Based on 42 GC-MS samples from 21 peer-reviewed papers (2018–2026); Strong evidence base. 111 compounds reported in total. Typical share of the oil (median, with interquartile range): | Compound | Class | Median % | IQR % | Max % | Papers | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | limonene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 43.52 | 26.55–47.87 | 71.67 | 18 | | γ-terpinene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 12.46 | 10.14–14.17 | 16.9 | 16 | | β-pinene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 11.41 | 2.94–12.57 | 26.31 | 17 | | α-pinene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 2.1 | 1.48–3.42 | 14.3 | 20 | | α-terpineol | Oxygenated monoterpene | 1.56 | 0.8–4.03 | 13.12 | 18 | | β-bisabolene | Sesquiterpene hydrocarbon | 2.75 | 2–3.72 | 5.6 | 9 | | sabinene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 1.69 | 0.31–2.24 | 31.9 | 11 | | myrcene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 1.22 | 0.86–1.83 | 2.6 | 15 | | terpinolene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 1.12 | 0.75–3.38 | 11.2 | 11 | | linalool | Oxygenated monoterpene | 0.7 | 0.24–1.65 | 2.43 | 17 | | p-cymene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 1.28 | 0.69–3.36 | 6.5 | 8 | | α-terpinene | Monoterpene hydrocarbon | 0.85 | 0.37–1.21 | 3.79 | 11 | Chemotypes seen in the samples: limonene (86% of samples). ## Key constituents - **Limonene** (45-55%) — The dominant compound; gives lime its bright, tart citrus character ## How to use it - **In the diffuser:** 3–5 drops for an easy, uplifting citrus note, especially in the morning. - **Mind the sun:** Strongly phototoxic — dilute before topical use and avoid sun/UV for 12–72 hours. ## Safety - Cold-pressed lime is strongly phototoxic — dilute before topical use and avoid sun or UV exposure for 12–72 hours afterward. - Maximum dermal use: ~0.7% on skin (expressed lime — strong phototoxicity). - Phototoxic — avoid UV exposure 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. ## What the research says - 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 (https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.2000.9712040) ## Evidence - 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 (https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.2000.9712040) ## 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. ### 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. ## Sources (GC-MS studies) - Jafari M, Shahsavar A. 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_, 2021. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC8455919 - Moura VS, Olandin LD, Mariano BS, Rodrigues J, Devite FT, Arantes ACC, Queiroga CL, Sartoratto A, de Azevedo FA, Bastianel M. Antifungal Activity of Citrus Essential Oil in Controlling Sour Rot in Tahiti Acid Lime Fruits. _Plants (Basel, Switzerland)_, 2024. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC11548434 - Tadtong S, Chantavacharakorn R, Khayankan S, Akachaipaibul P, Eiamart W, Samee W. 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_, 2025. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC12193099 - Elkhawas YA, El Hassab MA, Al Kamaly O, Negmeldin AT, Majrashi TA, Eldehna WM, Mostafa NM. <i>Citrus aurantifolia</i> essential oil: antiaging potential through integrated <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in silico</i> studies. _Frontiers in chemistry_, 2025. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC12354521 - Duangsombat P, Waranuch N, Pitaksuteepong T. Chemical characterization and antimicrobial activities of Citrus aurantifolia peel oils and Ocimum sanctum ethanolic extract. _PloS one_, 2025. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC12412941 - Abdel-Ghany HSM, Ayoob F, Baiome BA, Allam SA, Youssef AA, Kabadaia MM, Abdel-Shafy S. Larvicidal activity of essential oils and nanoemulsions against Culex pipiens larvae (Diptera: Culicidae). _Scientific reports_, 2026. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13237367 - Elmaidomy AH, Mohamed EM, Bahr HS, Abdelmohsen UR. Volatile composition of essential oils from major Egyptian Citrus cultivars: a multivariate chemometric approach. _Scientific reports_, 2026. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13338266 - Pachura-Hanusek N, Banaszkiewicz S, Lewandowska K, Burek A, Szumny A, Tabiś A, Bania J, Kupczyński R. 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)_, 2026. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13413600 - Mohammed IO, Alrasheid AA, Hussein Ayoub SM. 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_, 2024. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC10776194 - Permadi N, Nurzaman M, Doni F, Julaeha E. Elucidation of the composition, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties of essential oil and extract from Citrus aurantifolia (Christm.) Swingle peel. _Saudi journal of biological sciences_, 2024. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC11007538 - Lubinska-Szczygeł M, Kuczyńska-Łażewska A, Rutkowska M, Polkowska Ż, Katrich E, Gorinstein S. Determination of the Major By-Products of Citrus hystrix Peel and Their Characteristics in the Context of Utilization in the Industry. _Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)_, 2023. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC10052365 - Hassanein MMM, Abdel-Razek AG, Al-Amrousi EF, Badr AN. Application of lime peel oil composite nanoemulsion to prevent toxigenic fungi in nuts. _Heliyon_, 2023. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC10404952 - 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. 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_, 2022. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC8593924 - Sreepian A, Popruk S, Nutalai D, Phutthanu C, Sreepian PM. Antibacterial Activities and Synergistic Interaction of Citrus Essential Oils and Limonene with Gentamicin against Clinically Isolated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. _TheScientificWorldJournal_, 2022. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC8901352 - Cioni E, Migone C, Ascrizzi R, Muscatello B, De Leo M, Piras AM, Zambito Y, Flamini G, Pistelli L. Comparing Metabolomic and Essential Oil Fingerprints of Citrus australasica F. Muell (Finger Lime) Varieties and Their In Vitro Antioxidant Activity. _Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)_, 2022. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC9598366 - 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. 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_, 2021. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC8085978 - Adokoh CK, Asante DB, Acheampong DO, Kotsuchibashi Y, Armah FA, Sirikyi IH, Kimura K, Gmakame E, Abdul-Rauf S. Chemical profile and in vivo toxicity evaluation of unripe Citrus aurantifolia essential oil. _Toxicology reports_, 2019. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC6657022 - Lin LY, Chuang CH, Chen HC, Yang KM. Lime (Citrus aurantifolia (Christm.) Swingle) Essential Oils: Volatile Compounds, Antioxidant Capacity, and Hypolipidemic Effect. _Foods (Basel, Switzerland)_, 2019. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC6770194 - Acheampong DO, Barffour IK, Boye A, Asiamah EA, Armah FA, Adokoh CK, Oluyemi JF, Adrah B, Opoku R, Adakudugu E. Histoprotective Effect of Essential Oil from Citrus aurantifolia in Testosterone-Induced Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Rat. _Advances in urology_, 2019. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC6778952 - Sarma R, Adhikari K, Mahanta S, Khanikor B. Insecticidal activities of Citrus aurantifolia essential oil against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae). _Toxicology reports_, 2019. https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC6819703 - …and 1 more on the canonical page. _Educational reference only — not medical advice. Essential oils are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease._