06 Apr 2025
Essential oils are beloved for their many benefits, from relaxing the mind to nourishing the skin. However, not all oils are sunshine-friendly! Some essential oils can cause sun sensitivity due to a phenomenon known as phototoxicity. Understanding which oils to avoid in the sun is crucial for keeping your skin happy and healthy.
What Is Phototoxicity?
Phototoxicity occurs when certain essential oils, particularly those with furocoumarins (natural chemical compounds), react with UV light. This reaction makes the skin more sensitive to sunlight, which can result in burns, rashes, or dark spots when exposed to the sun right after using the oil.
Common Sun-Sensitive Essential Oils
Below is a list of essential oils that are known to cause sun sensitivity. It’s important to use these oils with caution, especially if you plan to spend time outdoors:
- Angelica: While it offers great benefits for relaxation, angelica oil may increase the risk of sunburn.
- Bergamot: A popular oil for its citrusy aroma, bergamot is highly phototoxic and should always be used with caution.
- Bitter Orange (Cold Pressed): This oil is phototoxic when cold-pressed, so exposure to sunlight should be avoided.
- Cumin: Known for its warm and spicy scent, cumin oil can also increase skin sensitivity to UV light.
- Dill: Often a surprising addition to the list, dill oil can photosensitise the skin.
- Grapefruit (Cold Pressed): A beloved favourite for its tangy aroma, grapefruit oil's phototoxic nature is something to consider.
- Lemon (Cold Pressed and Distilled): Although refreshing, lemon oil in any form can cause sensitivity to sunlight.
- Lemon Verbena: Known for its uplifting scent, lemon verbena oil is best used away from direct UV exposure.
- Lime (Cold Pressed and Distilled): Zesty lime oil can be phototoxic whether it’s cold-pressed or distilled.
- Orange: While popular in skincare, orange oil can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight.
- Mandarin: Gentle and sweet, mandarin oil still carries a risk of sun sensitivity.
- Tagetes: Floral and earthy, tagetes oil comes with phototoxic properties to be mindful of.
- Tangerine: Like its citrus relatives, tangerine oil can make your skin vulnerable to the sun.
How to Use These Oils Safely
If you love these oils and don’t want to part with their incredible benefits, don’t worry! You can still enjoy them with these simple precautions:
- Limit Sunlight Exposure: Avoid direct sunlight or tanning beds for 12-24 hours after applying these oils to your skin.
- Use Dilution: Ensure you dilute your essential oils properly with a carrier oil to minimise reactions.
- Pick Alternatives: Opt for non-phototoxic essential oils if you know you’ll be in the sun.
- Spot Test: Conduct a patch test on a small area of your skin before using oils topically.
Citrus Lovers, Take Note!
It’s no secret that citrus oils are some of the most popular ones around. They bring about vibrant scents and loads of benefits. But for all the citrus lovers out there, it’s important to note that, gorgeous as they are, they come with extra responsibility when the sun is involved.