A Comprehensive review on Limonene: A Versatile Ingredient in the Cosmetic Industry
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63682/jns.v14i32S.7329Keywords:
antibacterial, scent, limonene, cosmetics business, and skin benefitsAbstract
A naturally occurring monoterpene hydrocarbon that is mostly isolated from citrus fruits, limonene has drawn a lot of interest in the cosmetics industry because of its many uses. This chemical has several advantages, such as antibacterial properties, a nice scent, and possible skin benefits. Limonene is a common option for fragrances in body care products, colognes, and perfumes because of its refreshing aroma. Its zesty scent improves customers' entire sensory experience by being frequently linked to freshness and cleanliness. Limonene has antibacterial action against a variety of microorganisms in addition to its aroma qualities, which makes it a possible inclusion in skincare products to help stop the growth of germs and fungus. Apart from its antibacterial and aroma qualities, limonene has also been researched for possible skin health advantages. According to some study, limonene may have antioxidant qualities that help shield the skin from harm brought on by free radicals. Its ability to increase skin suppleness and lessen wrinkle appearance has also been studied. To completely comprehend the mechanics underlying these possible advantages, more study is necessary. Because of its flexibility, limonene is used in a variety of cosmetic items, such as body lotions, soaps, hair care products, colognes, and fragrances. It is anticipated that limonene's use in cosmetics would rise in tandem with consumer desire for sustainable and natural components. However, it's crucial to remember that limonene might irritate certain people, so its application needs to be carefully thought out, particularly in products meant for delicate skin
Downloads
Metrics
References
Baser, K. H. C., & Buchbauer, G. (Eds.). (2015). Handbook of Essential Oils: Science, Technology, and Applications. CRC Press.
Sun, J. (2007). "D-limonene: safety and clinical applications." Alternative Medicine Review, 12(3), 259-264.
Sharma, K., Mahato, N., Cho, M. H., & Lee, Y. R. (2017). "Limonene as a natural agent in the food and biomedical industries: A review." Critical Reviews in Biotechnology, 37(8), 959-970.
Feldman, M., & Sherlock, R. (2021). The Science of Essential Oils: Chemical, Aromatic, and Biological Properties. Academic Press.
Simonsen, J. L., & Ross, W. C. J. (1957). The Terpenes. Cambridge University Press.
Rowe, D. J. (2005). Chemistry and Technology of Flavors and Fragrances. Blackwell Publishing. This book discusses the chemical properties of flavor and fragrance compounds, including D-limonene and L-limonene, and provides insights into their distinct aromas and uses in food and cosmetics.
Mahato, N., Sharma, K., & Cho, M. H. (2014). "Limonene: Chemistry and biological properties." Critical Reviews in Biotechnology, 37(8), 102-118.
McGraw-Hill Concise Encyclopedia of Chemistry (2005). McGraw-Hill. This encyclopedia entry on limonene explains the basic chemical structure of limonene as a cyclic monoterpene and covers its isomeric forms, including the distinct characteristics of D-limonene and L-limonene.
Dugo, G., & Di Giacomo, A. (2002). Citrus: The Genus Citrus. CRC Press. Citrus fruits, including methods of extracting essential oils such as D-limonene and its industrial applications.
Mauer, L. J., & Taylor, L. S. (2010). Water-Soluble Polymer Applications in Foods. Springer. This text discusses essential oil extraction techniques like cold pressing and steam distillation, with a focus on food applications, including D-limonene's role as a natural flavoring.
Feger, W., & Brandt, J. (2001). "Industrial Uses of Citrus Oils." Perfumer & Flavorist, 26(2), 30-45.
Lawrence, B. M. (2005). Essential Oils: Volume 4: Oils of the Rutaceae Family. Allured Publishing Corporation.
Burdock, G. A. (2005). Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients (5th ed.). CRC Press.
Ashurst, P. R., & Goodall, D. M. (2013). Chemistry and Technology of Soft Drinks and Fruit Juices (2nd ed.). Wiley-Blackwell.
Furia, T. E., & Bellanca, N. (1975). Fenster's Flavor and Fragrance Materials: 1975. Mosby. This resource provides a detailed overview of natural flavoring agents, including limonene, focusing on its use in candies, beverages, and other flavored foods.
Council of Europe. (2000). Flavouring Substances and Natural Sources of Flavourings. Council of Europe Publishing.
Crowell, P. L. (1999). "Prevention and therapy of cancer by dietary monoterpenes." Journal of Nutrition, 129(3), 775S-778S.
Sun, J. (2007). "D-limonene: safety and clinical applications." Alternative Medicine Review, 12(3), 259-264.
Janes, D., Kantar, D., Kreft, S., & Prosen, H. (2019). "Limonene: A review of its pharmacology, toxicity, and therapeutic applications." Current Drug Metabolism, 20(3), 202-226.
Fukumura, D., & Jain, R. K. (2008). "Tumor microenvironment abnormalities: causes, consequences, and strategies to normalize." Journal of Cellular Biochemistry, 101(4), 937-949.
Sharma, K., Mahato, N., Cho, M. H., & Lee, Y. R. (2017). "Limonene as a natural agent in the food and biomedical industries: A review." Critical Reviews in Biotechnology, 37(8), 959-970.
Baser, K. H. C., & Buchbauer, G. (2015). Handbook of Essential Oils: Science, Technology, and Applications. CRC Press.
Rowe, D. J. (2005). Chemistry and Technology of Flavors and Fragrances. Blackwell Publishing.
Mahato, N., Sharma, K., & Cho, M. H. (2014). "Limonene: Chemistry and biological properties." Critical Reviews in Biotechnology, 37(8), 102-118.
Mahato, N., Sharma, K., & Cho, M. H. (2014). "Limonene: Chemistry and biological properties." Critical Reviews in Biotechnology, 37(8), 102-118. This article discusses the chemical structure of limonene, including its classification as a cyclic monoterpene, and details its extraction methods.
Sun, J. (2007). "D-limonene: safety and clinical applications." Alternative Medicine Review, 12(3), 259-264.
Dugo, G., & Di Giacomo, A. (2002). Citrus: The Genus Citrus. CRC Press. This book explores the extraction methods of essential oils from citrus fruits, including limonene, focusing on cold pressing and steam distillation.
Baser, K. H. C., & Buchbauer, G. (2015). Handbook of Essential Oils: Science, Technology, and Applications. CRC Press.
Sharma, K., Mahato, N., Cho, M. H., & Lee, Y. R. (2017). "Limonene as a natural agent in the food and biomedical industries: A review." Critical Reviews in Biotechnology, 37(8), 959-970.
Sun, J. (2007). "D-limonene: safety and clinical applications." Alternative Medicine Review, 12(3), 259-264.
Crowell, P. L. (1999). "Prevention and therapy of cancer by dietary monoterpenes." Journal of Nutrition, 129(3), 775S-778S.
Baser, K. H. C., & Buchbauer, G. (2015). Handbook of Essential Oils: Science, Technology, and Applications. CRC Press.
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR). "Safety Assessment of Limonene." Link to CIR.
Schmidt, M., & Jäger, W. (2018). "Transparency and Ingredient Labeling in Cosmetics: The New Trends." Cosmetics, 5(4), 52.
Loretz, L., et al. (2005). "Fragrance ingredient usage in perfumes." Contact Dermatitis, 52(1), 56–57.
Kim, S., et al. (2008). "Role of limonene as a natural solvent in cosmetics." Journal of Cosmetic Science, 59(4), 291–302.
Asif, M. (2015). "Antioxidant potential of limonene and its effect on skin aging." Journal of Food and Nutrition Research, 3(6), 338–345.
Nguefack, J., et al. (2004). "Antifungal activity of limonene against mold and yeast." International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 26(4), 323–329.
European Commission. (2023). "Regulations on allergens in cosmetics."
Nguefack, J., et al. (2004). "Antifungal activity of limonene against mold and yeast." International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 26(4), 323–329.
Céspedes, C. L., et al. (2010). "Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of limonene on the skin." Phytotherapy Research, 24(10), 1513–1518.
Komori, T., et al. (1995). "Effect of citrus fragrance on immune function and mood." Neuroimmunomodulation, 2(3), 174–180.
Karlberg, A. T., et al. (1992). "Contact allergy to oxidized limonene in fragrance products." Contact Dermatitis, 26(5), 253–260.
European Commission. (2023). "Regulations on allergens in cosmetics.
"Adams, M. (2019). "Sustainable sourcing of limonene from citrus by-products." Journal of Cosmetic Science, 70(2), 101–110.
Asif, M. (2015). "Antioxidant potential of limonene and its effect on skin aging." Journal of Food and Nutrition Research.
Karlberg, A. T., et al. (1992). "Contact allergy to oxidized limonene in fragrance products." Contact Dermatitis, 26(5), 253–260.
European Commission. (2023). "Regulations on allergens in cosmetics."
Adams, M. (2019). Sustainable sourcing of limonene from citrus by-products. Journal of Cosmetic Science, 70(4), 345-357. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.0147-8479.2019.00346.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format
- Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
Terms:
- Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.