Description
Limonene is a cyclohexene-derived compound whose chemical name brings together several designations: 1-methyl-4-prop-1-en-2-yl-cyclohexene; dl-limonene (racemic); Dipentene, as well as the (R)- and (S)-p-mentha-1,8-diene forms. The chemical name designates the (R) and (S) forms as d-limonene and l-limonene. It has three declared technical functions, deodorant, solvent and perfuming: in general terms, a perfuming ingredient contributes to the aromatic character of the product, a solvent dissolves other components of the formula, and the deodorant function groups ingredients that reduce or mask body odors. In addition to LIMONENE, the entry records 1-METHYL-4-METHYLVINYL-CYCLOHEXENE as an identified ingredient.
The entry for the substance in Annex III of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, the annex of substances restricted subject to conditions, is III/88. The applicable conditions read verbatim: "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. The peroxide value for each substance shall be less than 20 mmoles/L (This limit applies to the substance and not to the finished cosmetic product)." In addition to the thresholds of 0.001% for leave-on products and 0.01% for rinse-off products, the text sets a peroxide value limit that applies to the substance and not to the finished cosmetic product. The cosmetic restriction field of the LIMONENE ingredient in the CosIng inventory lists, in addition to III/88, the references III/167 and III/168.
As an ingredient with a perfuming function, it can be integrated into a fragrance composition or used to mask the odor of other components of the formula, so that it defines or corrects the aroma of the finished product. Solvents, for their part, facilitate the incorporation of other raw materials, and deodorant ingredients form part of products for body odor control. The information presented is for technical reference only and does not constitute a recommendation for use or an efficacy claim.