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Ingredient · INCI reference

Citrus Limon Fruit Water

The aqueous fraction from lemon fruit used in cosmetics as a botanical, conditioning water-phase ingredient.

What it is

This is the water-based fraction derived from the fruit of the lemon (Citrus limon). In formulas it functions as part of the water phase and provides light conditioning along with a fruit-derived, freshening botanical positioning. It is generally used in place of or alongside plain water rather than as a concentrated acid active.

Safety & warnings

Fruit waters are generally mild and well tolerated. Lemon-derived materials can contain naturally occurring fragrance constituents such as limonene and citral, which may cause irritation or sensitivity in fragrance-reactive individuals; cold-pressed lemon peel oil is additionally phototoxic, but a fruit water is typically much lower in those compounds. Patch testing is reasonable for highly reactive skin.

Origin & sourcing

Plant-derived, the aqueous portion recovered from the fruit of the lemon (Citrus limon).

Questions everyone asks

Is lemon fruit water acidic and exfoliating?

As a fruit water it is not a standardized acid active; it serves mainly as a conditioning botanical water rather than an exfoliant.

Does it carry the phototoxicity risk of lemon oil?

Cold-pressed lemon peel oil can be phototoxic, but a fruit water is typically much lower in the furocoumarins responsible for that concern.

Sources & references

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