Why Bergaptene Free Bergamot (FCF)?

by Michael Yuan

Phototoxic Essential Oils (Avoid before Sun Exposure)

With summer upon us, I wanted to pop in with a quick post about phototoxic essential oils. Phototoxic means UV sensitizing. If you use body oils or essential oil skincare blends, it’s worthwhile to check the ingredients list before applying them and spending extended periods of time in the sun. Although most essential oils are perfectly fine to be applied before heading outdoors. There are a handful that will cause your skin to be increasingly sensitive to sun exposure.

Certain chemicals called furanocoumarins cause skin to react to strong sunlight. They absorb more UV photons than normal, which results in rapid tanning or burning. These furanocoumarins are commonly found in citrus essential oils.

The risk of phototoxicity will remain for 12 hours after application. So if you topically apply one of these essential oils to your skin, you should avoid sunlight and UV ray exposure for at least 12 hours. If you’re diffusing one of these oils in your home, no need to worry. Phototoxicity only applies to topical application to the skin, not inhalation.

Phototoxic Essential Oils

Do not apply the following list of phototoxic essential oils topically before exposure to sunlight and/or ultraviolet rays. 

  • Bergamot (Citrus bergamia)
  • Lime (cold pressed) (Citrus medica)
  • Bitter orange (Citrus aurantium)
  • Angelica root (Angelica archangelica)
  • Cumin (Cuminum cyminum)
  • Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi)
  • Lemon (Citrus limon)
  • Rue (Ruta graveolens)
  • Opoponax (Commiphora erythraea)
  • Tagetes (Tagetes minuta)
  • Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus, Cymbopogon flexuosus)
  • Sweet orange (Citrus sinensis)
  • Tangerine (Citrus reticulata blanco)

Hypericum (St John’s wort) also increases photosensitivity. It’s a macerated oil and often used as a carrier for essential oils. Avoid applying it before exposure to the sun.

The BERGAPTENE FREE bergamot essential oil provided by Essence Planet is one of the best non-phototoxic citrus essential oils. Try our non-phototoxic Bergamot Essential Oil (FCF) for your safe daily use outside in the summer. 

 

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