Mentha Citrata Leaf Essential Oil, 10 ml

Lemon mint essential oil has a fresh, minty scent with a distinct fruity and slightly citrusy note that sets it apart from menthol-rich peppermint. It is obtained by steam distillation of the leaves and flowering tops of Mentha citrata and serves as a fragrance ingredient in formulations. It is supplied as a 100% pure, undiluted essential oil of plant origin, vegan.

In formulations, it replaces ordinary mint wherever the minty scent should feel softer: in facial and body care, shower and hair products, soaps, as well as in candles and diffusers. It is suitable for both rinse-off and leave-on products, and the supplier lists it among the fragrance ingredients suitable for formulations for oily and problem skin.

Scent and character

In perfumery terms, it is a top note. It is the first to be noticed after application and also the first to fade, so in a composition it forms the fresh opening of the fragrance. If the minty note is meant to last longer in the product, it is combined with middle and base notes, which evaporate more slowly.

The scent itself is cooling and minty, without a sharp menthol onset. Fruity and citrus tones soften it, so it can also be used in facial cosmetics, where peppermint would seem too penetrating. It works on its own as well as in custom blends with other essential oils.

Use in formulations

The oil is soluble in alcohol and in vegetable oils; it does not dissolve in water. In anhydrous products, that is massage and body oils, balms or solid sticks, it is incorporated directly, but only once the base has cooled. In emulsions, it is added during the cooling phase, when the cream or lotion is below 40 °C, and under constant stirring so that it disperses evenly. A higher processing temperature is not recommended.

In water-based systems without oil, for example facial toners, body sprays or water-based bath products, the essential oil must first be mixed with a solubiliser, otherwise it separates on the surface and the product turns cloudy. The other option is an alcohol base, in which the oil dissolves directly.

Suitable for products such as

• Facial care – creams and toners for oily and problem skin, where the mint should feel fresh without sharpness (IFRA category 5B, 5C).
• Body care – body oils, lotions, butters and foot creams (IFRA category 5A).
• Shower and bath products – shower gels, washes and bath products with a suitable carrier (IFRA category 9).
• Hair care – shampoos and rinse-off conditioners, where the cooling scent complements refreshing formulations (IFRA category 9).
• Soaps – solid and liquid soaps (IFRA category 9). We recommend checking the behaviour in cold process soap with a test batch.
• Candles and diffusers – a fragrance ingredient for candles of all types (IFRA category 12) and for aromatherapy diffusers.

Good to know

The essential oil contains one or more fragrance allergens listed in Annex III of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 as amended, including Regulation (EU) 2023/1545. If you make cosmetics for sale, take this into account when labelling the finished product.

Adding to a ready-made base is the simplest route: weigh out the finished base (cream, gel, oil) and mix in the essential oil drop by drop or by weight according to the calculated limit. For larger batches, weighing is more accurate than counting drops.

The oil is readily biodegradable, contains no ingredients of animal origin or intentionally added microplastics, and does not come from species endangered under the CITES convention.

Frequently asked questions