Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Extract

What Is It?

A number of ingredients made from lemons, including Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Oil, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Powder, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Water, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Juice, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Juice Extract, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Juice Powder, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Extract, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Powder, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Water and Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Wax may be used in cosmetics and personal care products. The types of products in which these ingredients may be found include bath products, soaps and detergents, skin care products, cleansing products, eye makeup, fragrance products and hair care products.

Why Is It Used?

The following functions have been reported for the ingredients made from lemons.

  • Absorbent: Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Powder
  • Cosmetic astringent: Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Oil
  • Fragrance ingredient: Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Water, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil
  • Skin conditioning agent – emollient: Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Extract
  • Skin conditioning agent – miscellaneous: Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Powder, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Water, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Juice, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Juice Powder, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Water
  • Skin conditioning agent – occlusive: Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Wax
  • Viscosity controlling agent: Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Powder

Scientific Facts

The geographical origin of lemon trees is not known. Lemons are now widely cultivated in the tropics and subtropics. Lemon juice is about 5% citric acid which gives lemons their tart taste.

Safety Information

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) includes the essential oil, oleoresin and extracts of lemon on the list of substances considered Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) for use in human food. Lemons are also on FDA’s list of the 20 most frequently consumed raw fruits in the United States. The safety of cold pressed lemon oil (Citrus Limon(Lemon) Fruit Oil, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil) has been evaluated by the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials Expert Panel (REXPAN).

Based on this evaluation, an International Fragrance Association (IFRA) Standard has been established. The IFRA Standard restricts the use of cold pressed lemon oil in fragrances because it contains some compounds that may cause skin effects when exposed to the sun.

Link to the IFRA Code of Practice: http://ifraorg.org/en-us/standards_restricted/s3/p3

Botanical and botanically derived ingredients used in the formulation of cosmetics are generally mild and safe. Prior to marketing the finished cosmetic product, the safety of each ingredient must be substantiated in accordance with 21 CFR 740.10. Safety substantiation of cosmetic ingredients may include tests for ocular and skin irritation as well as allergenicity, phototoxicity, photoallergenicity and mutagenicity, depending on the application or intended use. There is a considerable body of information about the safety of botanical ingredients and a well established history of use. These resources are consulted to ensure the safety of these materials as they are used in cosmetics.

FDA:

Link to Code of Federal Regulations for lemons: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr…

http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr…

Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Fruit Oil, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Fruit Powder, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Fruit Water, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Juice, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Juice Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Juice Powder, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Oil, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Powder, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Water and Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Wax may be used in cosmetics and personal care products marketed in Europe according to general provisions of the Cosmetics Regulation of the European Union.

Link to the EU Cosmetic Regulation: http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/consumers/product_labelling_and_packaging/co0013_en.htm

In selecting plant-derived ingredients for cosmetics and personal care products, formulators rely on the extensive history of their preparation and use. Such materials have been used for a long time and, based upon this experience, extensive knowledge of their safety has been gained. In the situation of newly identified botanicals in the cosmetic industry, appropriate ocular and skin safety studies are conducted prior to release into general commerce. There are many different references that describe the isolation, use and safety of botanical preparations.

More information about fragrance and botanical ingredients.

More Scientific Information

The ingredients made from lemons belong to a large and diverse class of materials that are not defined chemically. The majority of the materials in this class are mixtures derived from plants (herbs, roots, flowers, fruits, or seeds). In naming plants, botanists use a Latin name made up of the genus and species of the plant. For example, under this system the plant, lemon is known as Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f., where “(L.) Burm. f” stands for the name of the people who first described the type of plant specimen. The Latin name Citrus medica limonum L. may also be used for lemon. Plants are also known by a common name that has been handed down through generations. These common names may vary from country to country. Therefore, Latin names, which are more likely to be recognized in many countries, are frequently used on the label of a product to identify an ingredient made from plants.

Resources

Cross Reference for Common Names and Latin names for Botanical ingredient: http://www.personalcarecouncil.org/botanicals-cross-reference-latin-bino…

Find out more about the history of using plants to obtain beneficial materials:

Link to the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials: http://www.rifm.org/

Find out more about the regulation of Food Additives by the Food and Drug Administration

Food Ingredients and Packaging: http://www.fda.gov/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/default.htm

Food Contact Substances: http://www.fda.gov/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/PackagingFCS/default.htm

Substances Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS): http://www.fda.gov/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/GRAS/default.htm

Search the Code of Federal Regulations http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/cfrsearch.cfm

EU Cosmetics Inventory http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/cosmetics/cosing/