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Essential oils and sunlight are not always the best combination. Some oils can cause unpleasant skin reactions as soon as you go out in the sun with them. This is called phototoxicity, and it is important to understand how it works.
Phototoxicity is a reaction in which a substance on the skin, combined with sunlight (especially UV-A), causes a chemical burn. With essential oils, this means that certain components, furocoumarins, become harmful under the influence of sunlight.
The result? The skin can suddenly react as if it has been burnt: redness, blisters, pigmentation spots and sometimes permanent damage.
Certain essential oils (especially those from citrus fruits) contain natural chemical substances called furocoumarins (such as bergapten, psoralen). These substances are not dangerous in themselves, but become active as soon as they come into contact with UV-A sunlight.
When you apply a phototoxic oil to your skin and then go out in the sun:
The UV radiation activates the furocoumarins.
These react with the DNA in the skin cells.
This causes oxidative stress and cell damage, similar to a chemical burn.
| Etherische olie | Risico bij zonlicht |
|---|---|
| Bergamot | Zeer sterk fototoxisch (furocoumarinen) |
| Citroen | Mild tot matig fototoxisch |
| Limoen | Sterk fototoxisch, vooral koudgeperst |
| Grapefruit | Matig fototoxisch |
| Komijn | Sterk fototoxisch |
A phototoxic reaction differs from an allergy. Symptoms include:
Red skin that feels burnt
Itching or a burning sensation
Swelling or blisters
Dark spots or discolourations that last for weeks
Sometimes the consequences are so severe that medical assistance is needed.
There are still ways to enjoy essential oils, even in the summer:
Safety tips:
Always dilute with a carrier oil, of course (maximum 1%)
Apply the oil in the evening or on areas that stay covered
Wait at least 12 hours before exposing the skin to sunlight.
Choose furocoumarin-free (FCF) oils if you do want to use them during the day, for example on the face.
When an essential oil is FCF-free, it means that the phototoxic components have been removed during a special purification process (for example, through redistillation or molecular extraction). This allows you to use the oil safely on your skin, even when exposed to sunlight. An example is our FCF-free Bergamot oil.
