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Bergamot Oil
Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil · Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil · Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Peel Oil
Phototoxic essential oil — sun exposure on treated skin can cause delayed burns and pigmentation.
What it does
A cold-pressed citrus peel oil prized for its earl-grey-tea-floral aroma. Cold-pressed bergamot contains bergapten (5-methoxypsoralen), a furocoumarin that causes phytophotodermatitis on UV-exposed skin. FCF-free ("bergaptene-free") variants are available for skincare use.
The evidence, graded
expert consensusBergamot, lemon, lime, bitter orange, parsley, and fig contain furocoumarins (psoralens) that produce phototoxic reactions when applied to skin and exposed to UV. The reaction can resemble a severe sunburn or pigmented chemical burn (berloque dermatitis). Avoid these ingredients in leave-on products applied during the day.Bowers 1999 · American Journal of Contact Dermatitis ↗
Graded per the methodology: strong · moderate · emerging · expert consensus. A weak source on a strong claim gets the weaker label.
Also known as
bergamot, citrus bergamia oil, citrus aurantium bergamia peel oil
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