Photosensitivity of Essential Oils

According to Kelly Ewing, author of Making Candles and Soaps for Dummies, some essential oils increase your chance of photosensitization when particular EO's are exposed to the sun. Photosensitization basically looks like a rash or increase your chances of getting sunburn. The most common photosensitization oils are from the citrus family which includes bergamont, lemon, grapefruit, lemon, lemon verbena, lime, and orange. Others that fall under this category of photosensitization are angelica and cumin.

I was in Lori Nova's Lotions and Creams 101 class on 5/19/07. I asked her if you use any of the essential oils that causes photosentivity in your products, how long should you wait until you go outside? She did not know. But she recommends not putting any of these products on your face prior to going outside and if the products are on other parts of your body that can be covered by clothing then do so. So, do not wear these products and go lay out in the sun.

According to Donna Marie, author of Making Aromatherapy Creams and Lotions, that citrus oils should never be used on the skin within several hours (recommending 6 to 12 hours) of exposure the sun because a serious burn or hyperpingmentation (discolored spots) can occur.

I also found out that the following essential oils such as angelica, cumin, bergamont and yuzu are also photosensitive.

So when making your bath and body products with citrus essential oils, take this information to heart.