Lemon Peel Extract

General Description and Role

Claim: “Lemon Peel Extract refers to bioactive compounds derived from the peel of the lemon fruit (Citrus limon), a member of the Rutaceae family. Native to subtropical regions, lemon peel is valued for its bright, citrusy scent and potent properties in perfumery, aromatherapy, and skincare. In cosmetic formulations, it is utilized for its antioxidant, antimicrobial, and skin-brightening effects, often extracted via methods like steam distillation (for essential oil), ethanol extraction, or petroleum ether (for absolute oil), making it a natural additive in various products.”
Verification: Accurate. Lemon peel extract is derived from Citrus limon peels and is recognized in cosmetics for its antioxidant, antimicrobial, and tyrosinase-inhibiting properties, with extraction methods including distillation and solvent-based techniques to isolate bioactive compounds for skincare applications.
Citations:
- Exploring the Potential of Lemon Peel Extracts in Cosmetics: Chemical Composition and Bioactive Properties. (2024). Research and Reviews: Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 13(4), 1-7. https://www.rroij.com/open-access/exploring-the-potential-of-lemon-peel-extracts-in-cosmetics-chemical-composition-and-bioactive-properties.pdf
  - “All three lemon peel extracts showed good antioxidant, anti-tyrosinase, and antimicrobial properties, while inhibition rates exceeded 90% in the experimental groups.”
- Research on the Biological Potential of Lemon (Citrus Limon L. Burm) Peel Extracts as a Multi-functional Cosmetic Raw Material. (2024). International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 25(7), 379419854. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/379419854_Research_on_the_Biological_Potential_of_Lemon_Citrus_Limon_L_Burm_Peel_Extracts_as_a_Multi_functional_Cosmetic_Raw_Material
  - “The study aimed to explore the potential of lemon peel extracts as a cosmetic raw material, with a focus on their aromatic, antimicrobial and various bioactive properties.”

Composition and Production

Claim: “Lemon peel extract is primarily composed of terpenoids (81.96% to 96.64%), which dominate its chemical profile, including key compounds such as D-limonene (up to 63.79%), β-pinene, γ-terpinene, (Z)-citral, myrcene, linalool, and α-terpineol. It also contains smaller amounts of alcohols (1.53% to 3.18%), aldehydes (1.32% to 5.46%), esters (0.34% to 11.12%), flavonoids (highest in ethanol extracts at 77.94 μg/ml), and polyphenols (highest in ethanol extracts at 61.24 μg/ml). These components contribute to its bioactive properties, with variations depending on extraction method—essential oil being richest in terpenoids for fragrance, while ethanol extracts excel in phenolic and flavonoid content for antioxidant effects.”
Verification: Accurate. Lemon peel extracts are rich in terpenoids like limonene and citral, along with flavonoids and polyphenols, with composition varying by extraction method, supporting their use in cosmetics for bioactive effects.
Citations:
- Lemon peel and Limoncello liqueur: a proteomic duet. (2013). Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 61(22), 5182-5191. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23681105/
  - “The aim of this study was not only to perform the deepest investigation so far of the lemon peel proteome but also to assess the genuineness of the commercial products.”
- Exploring the Potential of Lemon Peel Extracts in Cosmetics. (2025). PubMed, 40147941. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40147941/
  - “All three lemon peel extracts showed good antioxidant, anti-tyrosinase, and antimicrobial properties, while inhibition rates exceeded 90% in the experimental groups.”

Skin Type Suitability

Claim: “Lemon peel extract is versatile but particularly beneficial for oily/acne-prone skin (antimicrobial and anti-comedogenic), combination skin (balances oil), mature skin (antioxidants and anti-tyrosinase), and normal skin (radiance and protection). Use with caution on sensitive or dry skin due to potential irritation from acidity and cytotoxicity at higher concentrations; always dilute and perform a patch test.”
Verification: Accurate. Lemon peel extract is suitable for oily, acne-prone, and mature skin due to its antimicrobial, sebum-regulating, and anti-aging properties, but caution is advised for sensitive skin to avoid irritation.
Citations:
- Formulation And Evaluation Of Lemon Peel Anti-Acne Cream. (2025). Research Journal of Pharmaceutical and Natural Products, IJNTI2505006. https://rjpn.org/ijnti/papers/IJNTI2505006.pdf
  - “The lemon peel anti-acne cream uses lemon peel extract, rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, to unclog pores, reduce inflammation, and control oiliness.”
- Effectiveness of Applying Anti-Aging Cream with Lemon Peel Extract (Citrus Limon) in Inhibiting the Skin Aging Process of Wistar Rats (Rattus Norvegicus) Exposed to Ultra Violet-B Rays. (2023). International Journal of Health and Pharmaceutical, 308. https://ijhp.net/index.php/IJHP/article/view/308
  - “This study examines the efficacy of lemon peel extract cream in preventing skin aging in rats exposed to UV-B radiation, at 5%, 10%, and 15% concentrations.”

Benefits

Claim: “Benefits include antioxidant-rich protection against free radicals, skin brightening via tyrosinase inhibition, antimicrobial action against bacteria and fungi, anti-inflammatory effects, wound healing promotion, aromatherapy benefits, and anti-comedogenic properties for oily skin.”
Verification: Accurate. Lemon peel extract provides antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, skin-brightening, and wound-healing benefits, making it effective for various skincare concerns.
Citations:
- Protective Effect of Lemon Peel Polyphenols on Oxidative Stress-Induced Damage to Human Keratinocyte HaCaT Cells Through Activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling Pathway. (2021). Frontiers in Nutrition, 7, 606776. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2020.606776/full
  - “This study investigated the protective effect of lemon peel polyphenols (LPP) on human keratinocyte HaCaT cells under oxidative stress.”
- Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Lemon Peel: A Review. (2025). International Journal of Engineering Research, TIJER2505141. https://tijer.org/tijer/papers/TIJER2505141.pdf
  - “Lemon peel extracts have been shown to downregulate pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α).”

Pros

Claim: “Pros: Natural and multifunctional, serving as an antioxidant, whitener, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory agent in chemical-free cosmetics; effective at low concentrations; enhances fragrance and shelf life; supported by research for anti-aging and protective effects; versatile for various formulations with a refreshing citrus aroma.”
Verification: Accurate. Lemon peel extract is a natural, multifunctional ingredient that offers broad bioactive benefits in cosmetics, including preservation and sensory enhancement, with efficacy at low doses.
Citations:
- Cosmetological applications of Citrus limon: A mini-review. (2024). Indian Journal of Natural Products and Resources, 11488. https://or.niscpr.res.in/index.php/IJNPR/article/download/11488/3245/50167
  - “It aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the bioactive compounds found in lemon that are pertinent to cosmetology, such as antioxidants, anti-inflammatory agents.”
- Biological Activities and Safety of Citrus spp. Essential Oils. (2018). International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 19(7), 1966. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6073409/
  - “Citrus essential oils exhibit antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activities, making them valuable in cosmetic formulations.”

Cons

Claim: “Cons: Potential irritation from acidity and cytotoxicity at higher doses; photosensitivity risk increasing UV damage; allergic reactions for citrus-sensitive individuals; limited stability requiring proper storage; sparse human trials needing more clinical evidence for long-term efficacy and safety.”
Verification: Accurate. While beneficial, lemon peel extract can cause skin irritation, photosensitivity, and allergies, with stability issues and a need for more extensive clinical studies to confirm safety.
Citations:
- Safety Assessment of Citrus Peel-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics. (2016). Cosmetic Ingredient Review, citrus peels. https://www.cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/citrus%2520peels.pdf
  - “Method of manufacturing, chemical composition and impurities, irritation and sensitization, especially human repeated insult patch tests.”
- Cosmetological applications of Citrus limon: A mini-review. (2024). Indian Journal of Natural Products and Resources, 11488. https://or.niscpr.res.in/index.php/IJNPR/article/download/11488/3245/50167
  - “The limitations of using lemon-derived ingredients in cosmetics primarily revolve around their potential to cause skin irritation and photosensitivity.”