How we scored it
Steam-distilled lemon balm essential oil: citral isomers, citronellal, caryophyllene and other plant terpenoids (b). All plant-derived. 1.00 x 100% = 1.00.
What counts. ISO 16128-2 scores the atoms that remain in the final ingredient. Reagents, solvents, catalysts and protecting groups used during manufacture leave no mass behind and are not counted.
Where it comes from
Dominant route is steam distillation of the flowering aerial parts of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis). No synthetic alternative exists for the true oil.
In plain English
The aromatic essential oil steam-distilled from the flowers, leaves and stems of lemon balm. It is listed as a fragrance, skin-conditioning and flavouring ingredient, and has a lemony scent. It is a mixture of natural aroma compounds.
CosIng definition: Melissa Officinalis Flower/Leaf/Stem Oil is a volatile oil obtained from the flowers, leaves, and stems of Melissa officinalis, Lamiaceae.
References
- 1ISO 16128-1:2016 and ISO 16128-2:2017 — Guidelines on technical definitions and criteria for natural and organic cosmetic ingredients and products. ISO, Geneva.
- 2MELISSA OFFICINALIS FLOWER/LEAF/STEM OIL. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
- 3MELISSA OFFICINALIS FLOWER/LEAF/STEM OIL. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=MELISSA%20OFFICINALIS%20FLOWER/LEAF/STEM%20OIL