dōTERRA Lime oil: price, uses and what to know

Lime is the sharpest and zestiest of the citrus oils, the smell of a freshly cut wedge squeezed over a drink. It wakes up a room in seconds, it is one of the cheapest bottles in the range, and it has a practical side most people discover by accident: it is excellent at getting rid of sticky residue.

In short: lime (Citrus aurantifolia), cold-pressed from the peel, with a zesty, sharp citrus aroma. It costs $17 wholesale in the US and £17.26 in the UK, and is used in the diffuser, around the house and, where the label allows, in drinks. On skin it is strongly photosensitising: no sun or UV for 12 hours.

What it is and where it comes from

Citrus aurantifolia is the small, thin-skinned Key or Mexican lime grown across the tropics. dōTERRA’s lime oil is cold-pressed from the peel, a mechanical process with no heat, which keeps the bright, juicy character of the fruit. Read the label of your bottle for the current origin.

Lime oil is mostly limonene, with gamma-terpinene and citral giving it its sharp, sour edge. Cold-pressed lime also contains furocoumarins such as bergapten. These are what make it photosensitising, and they are the reason the sun rule below is strict.

Aroma

Bright, zesty and tart, with less sweetness than orange and more juice than lemon. It reads as fresh and a little playful, and it is excellent at covering cooking smells.

How people use it

In the diffuser.

Blend	Drops	When
Lime + Grapefruit	2 + 3	Morning, kitchen
Lime + Peppermint	3 + 2	Hot summer afternoon
Lime + Wild Orange	2 + 3	Party, living room
Lime + Juniper Berry	2 + 2	Summer evening

Removing sticky residue. Put one or two drops on a soft cloth and rub price-tag glue, tape marks or crayon off glass, ceramic and metal. Wipe with soapy water afterwards. Test first on plastics, painted or lacquered surfaces: undiluted citrus can dull or soften them.

Around the house. Ten drops in a glass spray bottle with 250 ml of water and a splash of vinegar make a fresh-smelling kitchen spray. A drop on a cotton pad in the fridge or bin cupboard keeps it smelling clean.

In drinks. Only where your label permits internal use. In the US many people add one drop to a jug of water or sparkling water; always use glass or stainless steel.

Safety

Lime needs the most care of all the cheap citrus oils:

• Photosensitive: after applying to skin, avoid direct sun and UV, including tanning beds, for 12 hours. This applies to diluted use as well. Burns and dark patches may appear hours later and last for months.
• Dilute for skin use: one to two drops per 10 ml of carrier, ideally in the evening or on skin that will stay covered.
• Keep away from eyes.
• Citrus oils oxidise; keep the cap tight, store it cool, and use within about a year.
• Avoid polystyrene cups and soft plastics.
• Children: diffuse at low dose; no skin use before going outdoors.
• Pregnancy or medication: ask a doctor before internal use. Follow your country’s label.

Is it worth the price?

A 15 ml bottle holds about 250 drops, so $17 works out at roughly 7 cents a drop, and a diffuser session at 20–35 cents. For an oil that both scents the house and replaces a sticker-remover spray, that is good value. Cheap lime oils are often distilled rather than cold-pressed, which smells flatter, or diluted. dōTERRA publishes test results for each lot at sourcetoyou.com.

What to pair it with

Lime is not in Home Essentials or Family Essentials, but it fits next to the kit’s Lemon, Peppermint and Wild Orange. Grapefruit makes it rounder; Juniper Berry or Cypress make it greener. For cleaning, it combines well with Purify, which in most markets already contains lime. Because the bottle is cheap, it is an easy add-on to a first order; see which dōTERRA kit to choose.

Where to buy it

Buy directly from dōTERRA under your market’s terms at the price shown above. The parcel ships from the regional warehouse under your country’s rules. If your country is not an official dōTERRA market, you order through Global Access: the parcel ships from the US via a forwarding intermediary, with extra shipping and customs costs. Marketplace citrus oils are often diluted; here is how to spot a fake. Pick your country on the home page to open the official form with the wholesale price, or ask us if anything is unclear.

Questions and answers

How much does dōTERRA Lime cost?

In the US a 15 ml bottle is $17.00 wholesale and $22.67 retail; in the UK £17.26 / £23.00. The table above lists ten countries from the official October 2026 price lists.

Is Lime oil safe in the sun?

Not on skin. Cold-pressed lime is strongly photosensitising: if treated skin is exposed to sun or UV within 12 hours, it can burn or develop dark patches. Apply it only in the evening or to skin that will stay covered.

Can I put dōTERRA Lime in drinks?

Only where the label of your country allows internal use. In the US many people add one drop to a glass of water or a cocktail; use glass, not plastic, and never more than a drop or two.

Can Lime remove sticky residue?

Yes, that is one of its most practical uses. A drop or two on a cloth helps lift sticker glue, tape marks and crayon from glass and hard surfaces. Test on a hidden spot first, as citrus oil can damage some plastics and finishes.

How long does a bottle of Lime last?

A 15 ml bottle holds about 250 drops. Used three drops a day in a diffuser it lasts around two to three months; citrus oils are best used within about a year.

This information is for general aromatic and household use. dōTERRA products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Follow the label of the product sold in your country; ask a doctor before use during pregnancy, with children or with medical conditions.