Lime (Citrus Aurantifolia) is a fruit plant belonging to the Rutaceae family that grows in temperate zones around the world. It is used industrially by the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. The fruits and leaves yield essential oils with biologically active compounds that are important for human nutrition and proper diet.

What it is used for and where

Cosmetics

Fragrance. It plays a very important role in the formulation of cosmetic products as it allows perfume to be enhanced, masked or added to the final product, improving its commercial viability.  The consumer always expects to find a pleasant scent in a cosmetic product.

Surfactant - Cleansing agent. Cosmetic products used to cleanse the skin utilise the surface-active action that produces a lowering of the surface tension of the stratum corneum, facilitating the removal of dirt and impurities. 

Skin conditioning agent - Miscellaneous.  This ingredient has the task of modifying the condition of the skin when it is damaged or dry by reducing its flakiness and restoring its elasticity.

Medical

Many interesting components have been found in the juice and peel of limes that play different roles in protecting the human body from external agents such as oleic acid, palmitic acid, citral, linalool, limonene and caryophyllene, which, together with vitamin C, act as protective agents against free radicals. Antioxidants (in particular polyphenols and carotenoids) and antimicrobials as well as anti-inflammatory agents (aldehydes, terpenes, sesquiterpenes, alcohols and esters) are also present (1) Even in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, daily intake has shown great benefits: the cold-pressed oil obtained from Citrus aurantifolia is considered a therapeutic agent that can inhibit the abnormal proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (2).

Alongside the components mentioned above, it is interesting to note the presence of rutin, apigenin, hexpertin, quercetin, naringenin and nobiletin, which, although in lesser quantities, collectively act the same protective functions. 

The most relevant studies on this ingredient have been selected with a summary of their contents:

CAS     90063-52-8  generic

Lime Citrus Aurantifolia studies

References_____________________________________________________________________

(1) Tundis R, Loizzo MR, Bonesi M, Menichini F, Mastellone V, Colica C, Menichini F. Comparative study on the antioxidant capacity and cholinesterase inhibitory activity of Citrus aurantifolia Swingle, C. aurantium L., and C. bergamia Risso and Poit. peel essential oils. J Food Sci. 2012 Jan;77(1):H40-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1750-3841.2011.02511.x.

(2) Song BW, Lee CY, Park JH, Kim B, Lee S, Lim S, Kim SW, Choi JW, Kang M, Kang JH, Lee SS, Park MJ, Moon H, Hwang KC, Kim IK. Cold-pressed oil from Citrus aurantifolia inhibits the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells via regulation of PI3K/MAPK signaling pathways. Exp Ther Med. 2022 Jan;23(1):21. doi: 10.3892/etm.2021.10943.