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Limonene

INCI: LIMONENE · also d-Limonene, Dipentene

A common fragrance terpene; the EU limits how oxidised it may be.

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C10H16136.23 g/mol
carbonhydrogen
3D shape from PubChem 22311

How common

All products30%
In deodorants56%
In toothpastes49%
In shower gels44%

4,489 of 14,784 products with a full ingredient list in Open Beauty Facts; No. 6 of all the names found on their labels.

What it is

  • One of the most common fragrance terpenes in everyday products.

    SourceHide
    Limonene and linalool are among the most common fragrance terpenes used in everyday products.[1] Review · 2022 · open source

Why it is in products

  • For its scent: it is a fragrance ingredient.

    SourceHide
    Limonene and linalool are among the most common fragrance terpenes used in everyday products.[1] Review · 2022 · open source

Downsides and safety

  • In air it oxidises into hydroperoxides that cause skin allergy: 5.0% of 4,731 patients tested in the UK, and 5.1% in a Swedish series, reacted to oxidised limonene.

    Well established3 sourcesHide
    They are pre-haptens, forming hydroperoxides (Lim-OOHs, Lin-OOHs) upon oxidation and inducing frequent positive patch test reactions in patients with dermatitis[1] Review · 2022 · open source
    Two hundred and thirty-seven patients (5·0%) had a positive patch test reaction to hydroperoxides of limonene 0·3% pet.[2] Study · 2014 · open source
    The prevalence rates of contact allergy to ox. linalool and ox. limonene were 7.0% and 5.1%, respectively.[3] Study · 2022 · open source

Where it works

Works insidethe product

In the product, for the smell; the allergy, when it happens, is in the skin.

SourceHide
Limonene and linalool are among the most common fragrance terpenes used in everyday products.[1] Review · 2022 · open source

Rules

European Union

  • Must be named on the label when it passes 0.001% in leave-on products or 0.01% in rinse-off products, even inside a fragrance.

    SourceHide
    Limonene 138-86-3/ 7705-14-8 205-341-0/ 231-732-0 The presence of the substance shall be indicated in the list of ingredients referred to in Article 19(1), point (g), when its concentration exceeds: — 0,001 % in leave-on products — 0,01 % in rinse-off products.[4] EU law · 2026 · open source

  • Its peroxide value (a measure of oxidation) must stay below 20 mmol/L.

    SourceHide
    The peroxide value for each substance shall be less than 20 mmoles/L[4] EU law · 2026 · open source

United States

  • It can be listed simply as part of “Fragrance”.

    SourceHide
    But under U.S. regulations, fragrance and flavor ingredients can be listed simply as “Fragrance” or “Flavor.”[5] US Food and Drug Administration · open source

Sources

  1. Limonene and linalool hydroperoxides review: Pros and cons for routine patch testing Ogueta IA et al., Contact dermatitis, 2022Review
  2. Allergy to oxidized limonene and linalool is frequent in the U.K Audrain H et al., The British journal of dermatology, 2014Study
  3. Contact allergy to oxidized linalool and oxidized limonene: Patch testing in consecutive patients with dermatitis Sukakul T et al., Contact dermatitis, 2022Study
  4. Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products, consolidated text of 18 May 2026 Publications Office of the European Union (EUR-Lex/Cellar), 2026EU law
  5. Fragrances in Cosmetics | FDA US Food and Drug Administration

Checked against these sources on 4 November 2026. Spot a mistake? Tell us.