Citrus Hystrix Oil (Kaffir Lime Essential Oil) is a therapeutic-grade oil cold-pressed or steam-distilled from the rind or leaves of Citrus hystrix — the kaffir lime, a citrus fruit deeply embedded in Southeast Asian cuisine and traditional medicine. Presenting as almost colourless to light yellow, Citrus Hystrix Oil delivers a distinctive intensely citrusy, herbal, slightly floral fragrance quite different from standard lime oil — reflecting its unique composition rich in citronellal, linalool, and beta-pinene.
In Malaysian traditional practice, kaffir lime leaves and zest are used in ritual cleansing baths (mandi limau), hair treatments, and as a natural deodorising and purifying agent — giving this oil a uniquely relevant cultural resonance for Malaysian and ASEAN personal care formulations.
Applications:
- Haircare (traditional hair cleansing treatments, scalp health, anti-dandruff products)
- Personal Care (traditional cleansing formulations, ritual bath products, deodorising sprays)
- Aromatherapy (uplifting, purifying, and energising diffuser blends)
- Fine Fragrance (distinctive citrus-herbal note in Asian-inspired fragrance compositions)
Key Features & Benefits:
- Almost colourless to light yellow – authentic Citrus Hystrix oil
- No animal substance – suitable for vegan and Halal-compliant formulations
- Deep Malaysian and Southeast Asian cultural heritage (mandi limau)
- Unique citrusy-herbal-floral fragrance profile distinct from standard lime
- Natural cleansing, purifying, and deodorising properties
Peel oil and leaf oil are different products
Kaffir lime (Citrus hystrix, limau purut) gives two distinct oils. The peel oil, from the rind, is led by monoterpenes such as beta-pinene, sabinene and limonene, with some citronellal, and smells like a sharp, bitter lime. The leaf oil is dominated by citronellal and smells intensely green and lemony; FC lists it separately as Kaffir Lime Leaf Oil. Because the two differ so much in odour and composition, the plant part and process (cold-pressed peel, distilled peel, or distilled leaf) must be stated on the specification.
Phototoxicity of peel oil
Cold-pressed citrus peel oils generally contain furocoumarins, and kaffir lime peel is no exception. Where the oil is expressed from the rind, confirm its phototoxicity status and furocoumarin content before use in leave-on products applied to sun-exposed skin; distilled grades avoid most of this issue.
Stability
Limonene and the pinenes oxidise in air, so keep containers full, sealed, cool and dark and check peroxide value on older stock. For a comparison with common lime, see Lime Oil.
What to ask for on the certificate of analysis
- Species (Citrus hystrix), plant part (peel or leaf) and process (cold-pressed or distilled)
- GC profile with beta-pinene, sabinene, limonene and citronellal quantified
- Furocoumarin content or phototoxicity statement for peel oil
- Peroxide value and date of manufacture
- Declarable fragrance allergens and a current IFRA certificate
- Country of origin and batch number
