What does Limonene, (+)- do?

Used in cosmetics as a solvent, a deodorant and a fragrance ingredient.

Is Limonene, (+)- safe?

High concern: no hazard classifications on record. It is restricted in EU cosmetics.

beauty
cleaning
food
industrial

Limonene, (+)-

CAS 138-86-3 · 70/100 · High conf.

Also registered as 8 other CAS numbers

68647-72-3 · 7705-13-7 · 94765-75-0 · 95327-98-3 · 1051930-86-9 · 5989-27-5 · 5989-54-8 · 7705-14-8

Concern score

70/100High concern based on regulatory listings.

High confidence

Limonene, (+)- in plain language

What it is: On cosmetic ingredient lists it appears as “1-METHYL-4-METHYLVINYL-CYCLOHEXENE”.
Also known as 1-METHYL-4-METHYLVINYL-CYCLOHEXENE · Limonene · D-limonene · (+)-limonene · (d)-limonene · (4R)-1-Methyl-4-(prop-1-en-2-yl)cyclohex-1-ene
Show all 36 names
(4R)-1-methyl-4-prop-1-en-2-ylcyclohexene · Limonene, d- · Orange oil distillate · (+)-(4R)-Limonene · (+)-(R)-4-ISOPROPENYL-1-METHYLCYCLOHEXENE · (+)-(R)-Limonene · (+)-Dipentene · (+)-p-Mentha-1,8-diene · (+)-α-Limonene · (4R)-1-METHYL-4-(1-METHYLETHENYL)CYCLOHEXENE · (4R)-1-Methyl-4-(prop-1-en-2-yl)cyclohexene · (4R)-Limonene · (R)-(+)-Limonene · (R)-4-ISOPROPENYL-1-METHYLCYCLOHEXENE · (R)-4-Isopropenyl-1-methyl-1-cyclohexene · 1-Methyl-4-Isopropenylcyclohexene; dipentene · Biogenic SE 374 · Carvene · Citrene · Cyclohexene, 1-methyl-4-(1-methylethenyl)-, (4R)- · D-Limonen · Dipentene no. 122 · Glidesafe · Glidsafe · Kautschiin · Refchole · d-(+)-limonene · d-Limonene(4R)-1- Methyl-4-(1-methylethenyl) cyclohexene · d-limonene citrus terpene · d-p-Mentha-1,8-diene
What it does: Used in cosmetics as a solvent, a deodorant and a fragrance ingredient.
Solvent
Deodorant
Perfuming
Flavouring agent
Surfactant
Fragrance
Is it a concern?: High concern: no hazard classifications on record. It is restricted in EU cosmetics.

Why it's flagged

1-methyl-4-prop- 1-en-2-yl- cyclohexene; dl-limonene (racemic); Dipentene (R)-p- mentha-1,8-diene; (d-limonene); (S)-p- mentha-1,8-diene; (l-limonene); is restricted in cosmetic products under Annex III of the EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009.

RestrictedEU EC — restricted

The score describes this ingredient's chemical identity — its hazard profile from published classifications and regulatory status — not the safety of any product it appears in.

Regulation

Restrictions first, then routine listings from published regulatory sources.

In marketed US drugs
EU Annex III — restricted
EU restricted in cosmetics
Inactive ingredient in US drugs

Recorded in these product areas

Found in consumer products
Beauty
Cleaning
Industrial

EUEC
Annex III of EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009: substances which cosmetic products must not contain except subject to the restrictions laid down. Other conditions: 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).
restricted
View source →

EUEFSAEFSA opinion8 entries
- Scientific opinion on Flavouring Group Evaluation 25, Revision 3 (FGE.25Rev3): Aliphatic hydrocarbons from chemical group 31 (EFSA CEF)Source →
- Scientific Opinion on the evaluation of the substances currently on the list in the annex to Commission Directive 96/3/EC as acceptable previous cargoes for edible fats and oils - Part II of III (EFSA CONTAM)Source →
- Scientific Opinion on Flavouring Group Evaluation 25, Revision 2 (FGE.25Rev2): Aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons from chemical group 31 (EFSA CEF)Source →
- Scientific Opinion on Flavouring Group Evaluation 78, Revision 2 (FGE.78Rev2): Consideration of aliphatic and alicyclic and aromatic hydrocarbons evaluated by JECFA (63rd meeting) structurally related to aliphatic hydrocarbons evaluated by EFSA in FGE.25Rev3 (EFSA CEF)Source →
- Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons (chemical group 31) when used as flavourings for all animal species (EFSA FEEDAP)Source →
- Scientific Opinion on Flavouring Group Evaluation 78, Revision 1 (FGE.78Rev1): Consideration of aliphatic and alicyclic and aromatic hydrocarbons evaluated by JECFA (63rd meeting) structurally related to aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons evaluated by EFSA in FGE.25Rev2. EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes, Flavourings and Processing Aids (CEF) (EFSA CEF)Source →
- Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of FRESTA F for weaned piglets (EFSA FEEDAP)Source →
- Flavouring Group Evaluation 78 (FGE.78): Consideration of Aliphatic and alicyclic and aromatic hydrocarbons evaluated by JECFA (63rd meeting) structurally related to aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons evaluated by EFSA in FGE.25. Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Food Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids and Materials in Contact with Food (EFSA AFC)Source →
USFDAinactive ingredient database3 entries — 2 administration routes
- Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: GEL; Maximum daily exposure: 10 mgSource →
- Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: LOTION; Potency: 10 %v/vSource →
- Route: ORAL; Dosage form: TABLET, ORALLY DISINTEGRATING; Maximum daily exposure: 1 mgSource →
EUCosIngActive2 entries
- Cosmetics Regulation annex III / ref 88.Source →
- Restriction: III/88 III/167 III/168Source →
GLOBALJECFANOT SPECIFIED (1993)JECFA evaluation lists ADI NOT SPECIFIED (1993). Functional class: flavouring agent.
- JECFA evaluation lists ADI NOT SPECIFIED (1993). Functional class: flavouring agent.Source →
GLOBALJECFAEvaluatedJECFA evaluation record.
- JECFA evaluation record.Source →
USEPAcommercial use observedEPA CPDat observed this chemical in 2020 composition records across product categories including Personal care, Construction and building materials, Medical/dental. EPA CPDat classifies this chemical for functional uses including Solvent, Fragrance, Flavouring and nutrient.
- EPA CPDat observed this chemical in 2020 composition records across product categories including Personal care, Construction and building materials, Medical/dental. EPA CPDat classifies this chemical for functional uses including Solvent, Fragrance, Flavouring and nutrient.Source →
USFDAmarketed drug occurrenceFDA NDC lists this ingredient in 5 active drug products and 14 total products.
- FDA NDC lists this ingredient in 5 active drug products and 14 total products.Source →
USFDAlisted in openFDA substanceopenFDA substance registry classifies this ingredient as chemical.
- openFDA substance registry classifies this ingredient as chemical.Source →

Expert safety opinions

Independent scientific assessments cited by the records we hold, with the year and link where the record gives one.

SCCS
EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety
No SCCS opinion on file.
CIR
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (US expert panel)
No CIR safety assessment on file.
EFSA
European Food Safety Authority
- Scientific opinion on Flavouring Group Evaluation 25, Revision 3 (FGE.25Rev3): Aliphatic hydrocarbons from chemical group 31 (EFSA CEF)
  2015 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →
- Scientific Opinion on the evaluation of the substances currently on the list in the annex to Commission Directive 96/3/EC as acceptable previous cargoes for edible fats and oils - Part II of III (EFSA CONTAM)
  2012 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →
- Scientific Opinion on Flavouring Group Evaluation 25, Revision 2 (FGE.25Rev2): Aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons from chemical group 31 (EFSA CEF)
  2011 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →
- Scientific Opinion on Flavouring Group Evaluation 78, Revision 2 (FGE.78Rev2): Consideration of aliphatic and alicyclic and aromatic hydrocarbons evaluated by JECFA (63rd meeting) structurally related to aliphatic hydrocarbons evaluated by EFSA in FGE.25Rev3 (EFSA CEF)
  2015 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →
- Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons (chemical group 31) when used as flavourings for all animal species (EFSA FEEDAP)
  2015 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →
- Scientific Opinion on Flavouring Group Evaluation 78, Revision 1 (FGE.78Rev1): Consideration of aliphatic and alicyclic and aromatic hydrocarbons evaluated by JECFA (63rd meeting) structurally related to aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons evaluated by EFSA in FGE.25Rev2. EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes, Flavourings and Processing Aids (CEF) (EFSA CEF)
  2011 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →
- Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of FRESTA F for weaned piglets (EFSA FEEDAP)
  2011 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →
- Flavouring Group Evaluation 78 (FGE.78): Consideration of Aliphatic and alicyclic and aromatic hydrocarbons evaluated by JECFA (63rd meeting) structurally related to aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons evaluated by EFSA in FGE.25. Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Food Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids and Materials in Contact with Food (EFSA AFC)
  2009 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →
JECFA
Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives
- JECFA evaluation lists ADI NOT SPECIFIED (1993). Functional class: flavouring agent.
  Year not recorded · GLOBAL JECFA listing · Read the source →
- JECFA evaluation record.
  Year not recorded · GLOBAL JECFA listing · Read the source →

Evidence & sources

No graded research studies for Limonene, (+)- yet. This record is compiled from the published data sources below — registries and regulatory listings, not study findings.

11 data sources

Where this comes from

CosIng
regulatory · updated 2026-09-23
Open →
EU CosIng Cosmetics Regulation Annexes
regulatory · updated 2023-09-11
Open →
EFSA OpenFoodTox
regulatory · updated 2026-10-04
Open →
EPA Chemical and Products Database
exposure · updated september 10, 2019
Open →
EPA DSSTox Identifiers
chemistry · updated 2025-12-29
Open →
FDA Inactive Ingredient Database
regulatory · updated 2026-01-09
Open →
FDA National Drug Code Directory
regulatory · updated 2028-03-06
Open →
FDA GSRS UNII
registry · updated 2026-02-26
Open →
WHO JECFA Database
regulatory · updated 2026-10-04
Open →
openFDA Substance
registry · updated 2026-05-24
Open →
PubChem Live Enrichment
chemistry · updated 2026-05-17
Open →

Reference links (1)

Openfda substance

en.wikipedia.org

Read →

Suitability

Context-specific fit derived from published classifications and the current ingredient evidence profile.

Food use

Food-use source coverage is present in the current record.

Good fit

The ingredient appears in food-oriented source coverage or allowed-use references, which makes food use easier to support than a context with no domain signal at all.

Fragrance avoidance

Not a strong fit for fragrance avoidance because it carries Fragrance.

Avoid

The ingredient itself is a fragrance-linked signal, so it is better treated as an avoid case when fragrance exposure is the main concern.

Where it has been recorded

How often EPA CPDat has listed Limonene, (+)- in a product composition. These are source records, not Greenveil catalog products.

Source records

2,020

Named organisations

Personal careConstruction and building materialsMedical/dentalCleaning and safetyIndustrial productsElectronics/small appliances

Typical roles

SolventDeodorantPerfumingFlavouring agentSurfactantFragrance

See products using Limonene, (+)- →

Catalog

Found in these products

Their ingredient lists include Limonene, (+)-; each product's own rating depends on its whole formula, so it is shown on the product page, not here.

See all 1000+ →Find products without it →

Co-occurrence

Often appears with

Ingredients that frequently appear alongside Limonene, (+)- in the catalog.