Lime Oil (Expressed)

In short

Expressed lime oil is the cold-pressed peel oil of the lime. It brings a greener, more aromatic citrus than lemon and is used in colognes, fresh fragrances and tropical accords.

What Lime Oil (Expressed) smells like

Expressed lime oil is the very fresh, sharp, green smell of lime zest, with the tartness and bitterness of the peel intact. A glossary describes the cold-pressed oil as richer and more complex than the distilled one, with a sharp, metallic quality of fresh zest; a supplier calls it the epitome of very fresh lime. Distilled lime oil, a different product, is colourless, sweeter and rounder, without the peel's bite — some users find it turpentine- or cleaner-like. Expressed lime is phototoxic; distilled is not.

Leading note: Sharp green lime zest
Clear facets: Bitter peel
Supporting facets: Metallic, tart
Character: Sharp, green, zesty, bitter

What makes Lime Oil (Expressed) distinctive

The green bitterness. Expressed lime is sharper, greener and more bitter than lemon; distilled lime is sweeter and rounder — two different smells sold under one name.

How Lime Oil (Expressed) is used

Used as a fresh, green citrus top note in colognes and fresh fragrances, and in flavours; distilled lime is the usual choice where phototoxicity matters.

Typical role: lift (adds diffusion and radiance, especially at the top).

How Lime Oil (Expressed) differs from similar materials

Lemon Oil (Cold-Pressed): Lemon oil is brighter and more tart; expressed lime is greener, more bitter and more metallic.
Dihydromyrcenol: Dihydromyrcenol is a clean, metallic, soapy abstraction of lime; the oil is the natural, bitter green zest.
Lime Oil (Distilled): Distilled lime oil is softer, rounder and sweeter, without the peel bitterness or phototoxicity of the expressed oil. (compared directly by a cited source)

An asterisk marks a difference that a cited source states directly. The others compare the published descriptions of each material. Smell varies with grade, supplier and dilution; compare them side by side on blotters before substituting one for another.

Formulation considerations

Expressed lime oil is phototoxic and restricted on skin. Distilled lime oil is generally used where that is a concern; confirm which quality a supplier is offering, as both may be sold as "lime oil".

Identity and classification

Type: Essential oil
Origin: Natural
Odour family: Citrus / Green
Note position: Top note
Physical form at room temperature: Liquid
Also known as: Lime essential oil
Botanical source: Citrus aurantiifolia (Christm.) Swingle
CAS number: 8008-26-2

The CAS number was checked on 19 October 2026 against a PubChem substance record that gives it for this material. A natural material is a mixture, so it has no single formula; its composition varies with origin and processing.

Safety and compliance

The IFRA Standards Library lists a Standard covering Lime Oil (Expressed):

"Lime oil expressed" — Restriction, 49th Amendment, published 2020-01

Limits differ by product category and are set out in the Standard itself; this page does not reproduce them. The list above reflects the library as read on 19 October 2026.

This page is general information, not a safety assessment or a specification. Confirm identity, composition, IFRA status and allergen content from your supplier's documents for the lot you hold.

Materials it works with

Lemon Oil (Cold-Pressed)
Essential oil · Citrus / Aldehydic — citrus, sharp, zesty, juicy
Peppermint Oil
Essential oil · Aromatic / Green — minty, cooling, fresh, herbal
Basil Oil
Essential oil · Aromatic / Spicy — herbal, green, aniseed, fresh
Ginger Oil
Essential oil · Spicy / Citrus — spicy, warm, lemony, woody
Citral
Aroma chemical · Citrus / Green — lemon, sharp, fresh, green

Lime Oil (Expressed) is also suggested as a partner on the pages for Bay Oil (West Indian), Lime Oil (Distilled), Myrcenol, Perillaldehyde, trans-2-Dodecenal and Vertoliff.

Used in formulas and accords

Used in 1 published formula

Lime Oil (Expressed) is an ingredient in 1 perfume formula in the Formula & Accord Library.

RUŌOD House Originals

Original compositions by RUŌOD House.

Lime Bruise
RUŌOD House Original · listed as “Lime essential oil”

Questions about Lime Oil (Expressed)

Is Lime Oil (Expressed) natural or synthetic?

Lime Oil (Expressed) is natural. It is a volatile oil obtained from plant material by steam distillation or, for citrus peels, by cold expression.

What is the CAS number of Lime Oil (Expressed)?

8008-26-2, the registry number for the essential oil as a substance rather than a single molecule. It was checked against PubChem on 19 October 2026.

Which published formulas use Lime Oil (Expressed)?

Lime Oil (Expressed) is used in 1 published formula in the RUŌOD Lab Formula & Accord Library: Lime Bruise. Each is listed with a link under "Used in formulas and accords" on this page.

Is Lime Oil (Expressed) covered by an IFRA Standard?

Yes. The IFRA Standards Library lists a Standard covering it: "Lime oil expressed" — Restriction, 49th Amendment. The limits depend on the product category; read the Standard itself before formulating.

Sources

PubChem — substance 17388948, checked 19 October 2026.
IFRA — Standards Library, read 19 October 2026.
Eden Botanicals — Lime, expressed — distributor's description.
Eden Botanicals — Lime, distilled — distributor's description.
Premiere Peau — Lime — published perfumery reference.
The Good Scents Company — lime oil — odour database.
Olfactory profile: the RUŌOD Lab team's synthesis of the published descriptions above, reviewed 24 October 2026. Evidence: more than one published description. Classification and the short description: revision 1. Descriptions of odour are judgement, not measurement.