An ionic surfactant-based protomicroemulsion composition contains, by weight of the protomicroemulsion, at least about 20 % of an ionic surfactant system, less than about 10 % nonionic surfactant, and from about 0.25 % to about 50 % of a water-insoluble oil. Preferably, the PME contains from about 5 % to about 79 % of a solvent. The protomicroemulsion forms a microemulsion when diluted from about 10 % to about 99 % with water. A protomicroemulsion contains limonene and/or terpineol therein. A microemulsion has a high-capacity oil absorption phase and a low-capacity oil absorption phase. The high-capacity oil absorption phase has a high-capacity oil absorption value corresponding to a high-capacity oil absorption function. The high-capacity oil absorption function defines a high-capacity oil absorption area. The low-capacity oil absorption phase has a low-capacity oil absorption value corresponding to a low-capacity oil absorption function. The low-capacity oil absorption function defines a low-capacity oil absorption area. The ratio of the high-capacity oil absorption area to the low-capacity oil absorption area is from about 75:25 to about 95:5. A protomicroemulsion may form such a microemulsion.